Calories:200
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:15g
Alcohol %:25
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
The Lights Out cocktail is a relatively new creation, first mixed in the early 2000s at a trendy New York City bar. It was designed to be a nightcap, a final drink to end the evening. The name 'Lights Out' was chosen to reflect this. It quickly gained popularity among those who enjoy a strong, yet smooth cocktail before heading home. It's a favorite among whiskey lovers and those who appreciate a well-balanced cocktail.
The Lights Out cocktail is a robust, full-bodied drink. It has a strong whiskey base, balanced by the sweetness of the honey and the tartness of the lemon. The ginger adds a spicy kick, while the bitters provide a complex, layered taste. It's a rich, warm, and slightly spicy cocktail.
A few good options for Lights Out are:
The backbone of the cocktail, rye whiskey, provides a robust, spicy grain flavor that ensures this drink has a kick. Skimping on it would make your cocktail more mild, while splurging could overshadow the more subtle flavors. The fun lies in the balance!
Sweet, yet not overpowering, honey syrup gives a smooth and natural sweetness that can't be mimicked by simple syrup. Too little and the drink could pucker your lips, too much and you might as well be a bear in a honey pot.
This adds a necessary zing and freshness to cut through the sweetness, bringing balance to the cocktail. Leaving out lemon juice would be like eating a pie without the filling – just wrong.
Adding a spicy, slightly exotic taste, ginger liqueur creates a sophisticated warmth within the drink. Without it, you'd lose that spark that makes the Lights Out so memorable.
Like the salt in cooking, Angostura bitters enhance flavor depth. A few dashes too many, and it's like the sea on a stormy day – overwhelmingly bitter.
It's all about the aromatics here. The lemon twist releases essential oils over the drink, giving you a little zesty nose every time you go for a sip. No twist would make the cocktail feel like it missed a smile.
The cherry is the pièce de résistance, the final touch for both aesthetics and a hint of sweet, fruity complexity.
Use a high-quality rye whiskey for the best flavor.
The bold and spicy profile of the Lights Out cocktail makes it an excellent match for hearty, flavorful foods. Consider pairing it with:
For a multi-course experience, you might want to pair the Lights Out cocktail with:
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You can substitute the rye whiskey with bourbon.
Explore all drinks starting with L here
Substitute rye whiskey with a smoky Scotch and add a sprig of rosemary as an additional garnish. The Scotch adds a campfire essence while rosemary infuses a touch of herbal mystery. Perfect for those who like their evenings with a smoky haze.
Add a dash of apple cider and replace ginger liqueur with cinnamon schnapps. You get a cocktail that's reminiscent of an autumnal harvest festival. It'll pair wonderfully with a cozy sweater and leaves crunching underfoot.
Swap out the honey syrup for orange blossom honey and add a splash of grapefruit juice. This version is for those who enjoy a bright citrus kick that energizes the taste buds and lights up the night.
Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingIf you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
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Rye whiskey tends to have a spicier and edgier taste compared to bourbon, which has a rich, full-bodied and slightly sweeter taste. The choice between the two would depend on individual preference, with bourbon likely to make the drink a little sweeter.
Yes, you can substitute lemon juice with lime juice, which will provide a different citrus note to the cocktail, making it slightly tangy compared to the original recipe.
Yes, you can serve it without ice. However, chilling the cocktail brings out the best flavors, especially the spicy kick from the ginger.
The Lights Out cocktail has a strong whiskey base, so it may not be to the liking of those who only consume alcohol lightly. The Alcohol By Volume (ABV) is around 25%, which is moderately strong.
The Ulysses cocktail offers a harmonious balance of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors. The initial taste is citrusy and refreshing, followed by a subtle sweetness from the honey and a hint of bitterness from the herbal liqueur. The finish is smooth and warming, with a lingering spiciness from the ginger.
The Waverly cocktail is a complex and intriguing blend of flavors. It is slightly sweet, with a hint of tartness from the citrus, and a subtle smokiness from the whiskey. The herbal notes from the bitters and the warmth of the ginger liqueur add depth and balance to the drink, making it a satisfying and memorable experience.
This cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet, spicy, and bitter. The ginger liqueur adds a spicy kick, while the sweet vermouth and bourbon balance it out with their sweetness. The bitters add a touch of complexity to the drink.
The Bourbon Flip has a rich, creamy, and smooth taste with a hint of sweetness from the simple syrup. The bourbon adds a warm, oaky, and slightly spicy flavor, while the egg gives the drink a frothy and velvety texture.
The Lido cocktail is a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and slightly bitter flavors. It has a refreshing citrus taste, with a hint of floral notes from the elderflower liqueur. The gin adds a subtle juniper taste, while the vermouth brings a touch of herbal complexity.
The Midnight cocktail offers a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and slightly bitter flavors. It has a rich and velvety texture, with a warming sensation from the alcohol. The taste is complex, yet well-balanced, making it a delightful and intriguing drink.
The Bee's Knees cocktail is a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and floral flavors. The honey syrup adds a rich sweetness, while the lemon juice provides a tangy, refreshing sourness. The gin's botanicals shine through, giving the drink a complex and satisfying taste.
The Brown Derby cocktail is a well-balanced mix of sweet, sour, and strong flavors. The bourbon provides a rich, warm base, while the grapefruit juice adds a tangy, citrusy note. The honey syrup brings a touch of sweetness to balance out the sourness of the grapefruit and the strength of the bourbon.
The Honeysuckle cocktail is a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and refreshing flavors. The combination of rum, honey, and lime creates a smooth and satisfying taste that is both bright and mellow. The drink is light and easy to sip, making it a perfect choice for warm weather or a relaxing evening.
The Long Island Iced Tea is a complex blend of flavors, combining the sweetness of cola and sour mix with the boldness of multiple spirits. It is a strong, yet surprisingly smooth cocktail with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
The Caipirinha has a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet taste. The combination of lime and sugar provides a perfect balance of sour and sweet, while the cachaça adds a unique, earthy flavor. The drink is strong, yet smooth and easy to sip.
The Sidecar is a delightful mix of sour, sweet, and strong flavors. The combination of cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice creates a smooth and refreshing taste, with a hint of warmth from the cognac.
The Whiskey Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a tangy, sour taste from the lemon juice, a subtle sweetness from the simple syrup, and a rich, warming sensation from the whiskey. The egg white adds a smooth, creamy texture.
The Tom Collins has a refreshing, slightly sour, and mildly sweet taste. It is a well-balanced cocktail with a smooth and light texture, making it easy to drink and enjoy.
The French 75 has a bright, effervescent taste with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. The combination of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup creates a tangy, refreshing base, while the champagne adds a luxurious, bubbly finish.
The Manhattan cocktail is a well-balanced blend of sweet, bitter, and strong flavors. The sweetness comes from the vermouth, while the bitterness is derived from the aromatic bitters. The whiskey provides a robust and full-bodied taste, making the drink a perfect choice for those who enjoy a strong and complex cocktail.
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The Old Fashioned has a rich, complex taste that is both sweet and bitter. The whiskey provides a strong, warming base, while the sugar and bitters add a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice. The orange and cherry garnish add a subtle fruity note.
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The Boulevardier is a complex and well-balanced cocktail, with a rich and bold taste. It has a bitter-sweet profile, with the bitterness of Campari complementing the sweetness of the vermouth. The whiskey adds warmth and depth, making it a perfect drink for sipping.
The Bloody Mary is a savory, spicy, and tangy cocktail with a strong tomato flavor. The vodka adds a subtle kick, while the Worcestershire and hot sauce provide a complex depth of flavor. The lemon juice adds a touch of acidity, and the celery salt and black pepper give it a slight earthiness.
The Dark 'N' Stormy has a bold, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. The rich, dark rum provides a strong base, while the ginger beer adds a refreshing, zesty kick. The lime juice adds a touch of tartness to balance out the sweetness.
The Painkiller cocktail is a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. The combination of pineapple and orange juices creates a fruity base, while the coconut cream adds a rich, creamy sweetness. The dark rum provides a strong, warming backbone, and the freshly grated nutmeg on top adds a subtle hint of spice.
