Every June, we get a chance to thank the big guy on Father’s Day!
And every June, we look around for new ways to tell the fathers and father figures in our lives just how appreciated they are for all the wonderful things they do and all the remarkable ways they inspire us every day.
For Father’s Day 2026, we were inspired to ask some of our favorite people, places and partners to contribute a delightful Dad drink recipe to create at home to celebrate and make it a top-shelf day. Favorite beverages, spirits, garnishes, sparkling ciders, cocktail or mocktail style, we’ve got something delicious from our expert mixologists to toast him, with a twist! Cheers!
“Gold Rush”
Company Distilling, Townsend, Tenn.
Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller, Founder and Owner
Company Distilling’s Jeff Arnett, a proud Tennessean, longtime whiskey lover and Master Distiller of the Year in 2017 and his team have become known for a Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with maple wood. Three flagship whiskeys at Company Distilling provide various degrees of complexity and are designed for connoisseurs and whiskey novices alike. For our Gentlemen’s issue, the small batch maker elevates an old school staple, the Old Fashioned, a classic whiskey cocktail made with sugar, bitters, water and whiskey, with his custom crafted “Gold Rush.”
What Goes in It
- 1.5 ounces Company Distilling Maple Finished Bourbon
- 0.75 ounces Honey Syrup
- 0.75 ounces Lemon Juice
How to Make It
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
- Agitate with ice.
- Pour over fresh ice cubes in a rocks glass.
- Garnish with an expressed lemon peel.
Why We Love It
Jeff Arnett calls “Gold Rush” a “lovely Father’s Day highlight. It’s light and refreshing, and something different than an Old Fashioned.” Company Distilling’s core spirits are crafted using innovative aging processes that incorporate different wood species native to Tennessee. The company motto, “Gather Around,” extends to its giving back program, which supports and highlights a different nonprofit each month of the year.
CompanyDistilling.com.
“Man in Black”
Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro, Townsend, Tenn.
A legacy cocktail at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, the “Man in Black” has been a staple for much of the restaurant’s life—a lasting reminder that quality, craftsmanship and hospitality have long been at the heart of the Bistro experience. With Buffalo Trace Single Barrel, black walnut-sorghum syrup, Angostura bitters, a Luxardo cherry and an orange twist, it’s a rich, smoky, slow-sipping cocktail made for Father’s Day—timeless, refined and best enjoyed with good company.
What Goes in It
- 2 ounces Buffalo Trace Single Barrel bourbon, or preferred bourbon
- 1 ounce black walnut-sorghum syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 Luxardo cherry for garnish
- 1 orange twist for garnish
- Wood chips for smoking
How to Make It
- In a small rocks glass, combine the bourbon, black walnut-sorghum syrup and Angostura bitters. Stir gently to incorporate.
- Add one large ice cube to the glass. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry on a cocktail skewer and an orange twist.
- Place the cocktail under a smoking cloche or dome and smoke with wood chips until lightly infused.
- Remove the dome and serve immediately.
Why We Love It
Known for its celebrated Sunday Brunch Bear-fay, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has been named, for the third consecutive year, one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in America. “Man in Black” is just one of the bistro’s brunch-worthy beverages.
DancingBearLodge.com/dining.
The "Fix-It" Fizz Mocktail: A TN Small-Batch Edition
Daisy’s Non-Alcoholic Bar and Bottle Shop, Maryville, Tenn.
Lindsay and Trenton Elsten, Co-Founders
Celebrate Father’s Day with a sophisticated, Appalachian-inspired mocktail that highlights the best of Tennessee craftsmanship. Lindsay and Trenton Elsten launched Daisy's to offer a fresh take on nightlife: alcohol-free, community-driven and rooted in connection, crafting personalized mocktails and serving premium zero-proof beverages. This recipe pairs the bold, oaky profile of Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon with the local sweetness of Jammin’ Jams TN Blackberry Jam for a drink that is as robust as it is refreshing.
What Goes in It
* 2 ounces Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon
* 1 heaping bar spoon Jammin’ Jams TN Blackberry Jam
* 0.75 ounces Fresh Lemon Juice
* 0.25 ounces Real Maple Syrup
* 2 ounces Sparkling Apple Cider (or Ginger Ale for extra spice)
* Garnish: Fresh lemon wheel or a sprig of thyme
How to Make It
1. Incorporate the Jam: Add the Free Spirits Bourbon, blackberry jam, lemon juice and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds. This ensures the jam is fully emulsified and the drink is properly chilled.
3. Double Strain: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. This step is essential for a smooth, seed-free texture.
4. Top: Finish by topping the glass with sparkling apple cider.
5. Garnish: Add a fresh lemon wheel to the rim and serve.
Why We Love It
This mocktail skips the "sugary juice" trope of standard non-alcoholic drinks. The Jammin’ Jams TN blackberry jam provides a deep, jammy body that stands up to the caramel and vanilla notes of the bourbon alternative. Named "The Fix-It Fizz" as a nod to the dads who can repair anything, it’s a high-end, thoughtful way to toast to the fathers and father-figures in our community.
DaisysNABar.com.