This article will offer various ideas on how you can best enjoy a glass of Jim Beam, whether by itself or paired with the best kinds of mixers. I’ll also talk about how you can make the most out of enjoying a glass of straight Jim Beam — from the right temperature to the ideal glassware you should use.
The best ways to drink Jim Beam include straight, on the rocks, and with mixers like apple juice, honey, vanilla, coffee, and even other alcoholic drinks. There is practically no right and wrong way of enjoying a glass of Jim Beam as long as you enjoy its versatility and range of flavors.
1. Straight
Complex tastes and a range of flavors blend well in Jim Beam. You can better savor this Kentucky bourbon whiskey’s essence at room temperature by drinking it neat or straight (meaning no ice!). Drinking your Jim Beam straight will allow you to appreciate its color, fragrance, and flavors.
2. On the Rocks
Whiskey on the rocks is essentially adding ice to your glass of Jim Beam. This waters down the intense flavor and comes in handy if you’re not yet used to this bourbon whiskey’s bold flavors. It’s best to use big cubes or ice spheres for your drink. Bigger ice chunks melt slower, so they chill your drink without watering it down too much. Pour a finger (¾ of an inch or 2 cm) of Jim Beam into a snifter, add some ice, and enjoy!
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3. With Water
Adding a few drops of water to your Jim Beam helps dilute its flavor. If you find your whiskey a little too strong, you can soften the punch by taking it with water. Adding in water also brings out its fragrance more. Some bourbon whiskey enthusiasts like doing this to appreciate their drink’s aromas and flavors better.
4. Highball Jim
This drink blends the sweetness of Jim Beam with the tartness of club soda. Fill a highball glass with ice almost to the brim, then pour in 2 ounces (59 mL) of Jim Beam. Add 2 ounces (59 mL) of club soda, give the glass a good swirl, then serve. You can also squeeze in some lemon juice and hook the lemon wedge on the glass. Other optional ingredients are a dash of orange bitters, 1⁄4 teaspoon (1 gram) of minced ginger, and an ounce of ginger ale.
5. Honey Jim
Honey and Jim Beam complement each other’s flavors while offering subtle contrasts in taste. Grab a tall highball glass, fill it with ice, and pour in an ounce of Jim Beam. Add half a teaspoon of honey and mix the drink until the honey is well-dispersed.
6. Pink Jim
Wouldn’t watermelon be an excellent treat for sunny summer afternoons while lounging on your porch? Pair it with Jim Beam, and you get a refreshingly relaxing drink. Fill a glass with ice and pour in an ounce of Jim Beam and 3 ounces (89 mL) of watermelon juice. Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice, then gently stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint, and enjoy!
7. Ginger Jim
Ginger ale is one of the more popular mixers for bourbon whiskey. Pour an ounce of Jim Beam into a glass filled with ice cubes. Add 3 ounces (89 mL) of ginger ale and squeeze a fresh lime wedge over the glass. Garnish with candied ginger and a lemon wedge, then serve and enjoy!
Related The 3 Best Chasers for Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey.
8. Apple Jim
Apple juice adds a refreshing, fruity, and tangy flavor to bourbon whisky. This drink will surely be a crowd-pleaser during parties! In a cocktail glass, mix 6 ounces (177 mL) of apple juice with an ounce of Jim Beam. Add in some ice cubes, mix well, and serve.
9. Almond Jim
Almond is a flavor well-loved by many, so it’s often used as an add-on ingredient in various recipes. When used as a mixer for Jim Beam, it effectively complements the whiskey’s woody, smoky undertones. Fill a cocktail glass with ice cubes and add an ounce of amaretto almond liqueur and Jim Beam. Then, pour in 6 ounces (177 mL) of Coca-Cola, mix, and serve.
10. Lemony Jim
Some old-fashioned, homemade lemonade will be the perfect mixer for this drink. Fill a glass with ice and pour in an ounce of Jim Beam and 2 ounces (59 mL) of good old lemonade. Mix well and garnish with a lemon wedge hooked on the glass.
11. Orange Jim
Fresh orange juice would be best for this drink since the tanginess and subtle sweetness go well with the bold flavors of bourbon whiskey. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and an ounce and a half of Jim Beam. Add 3 ounces (89 mL) of orange juice and a splash of grenadine syrup.
12. Flaming Jim
This drink’s reddish-orange, fiery color will be a sure hit at get-togethers. Put 3-5 ice cubes in a tall glass and pour an ounce of Jim Beam over it. Add about 8 ounces (237 mL) of Coca-Cola until the glass is nearly full. Put in an ounce of grenadine syrup, then serve. This one’s best enjoyed with a straw!
Related The 3 Best Chasers for Jim Beam.
13. Citrus Jim
This is another kind of soda that mixes well with bourbon whiskey. The tartness compliments the bold, smoky flavors in whiskey. Mix 2 ounces (59 mL) of Jim Beam with 6 ounces (177 mL) of Mountain Dew citrus soda in a tall glass. Add some ice, serve, and enjoy!
14. Milkshake Jim
Jim Beam’s vanilla and caramel notes are handy for this satisfyingly refreshing drink. It’s best to make these in bigger batches. First, whisk together 1 part Jim Beam with 3 parts whole milk, some cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well, then place the mixture in the freezer until it takes on the slushy consistency of a milkshake. Serve in tall chilled glasses and top them with whipped cream, cinnamon powder, and chocolate syrup.
15. Super Jim
Pair Jim Beam with an energy drink, and you will indeed have an instant picker-upper! Simply mix 2 ounces (59 mL) of Jim Beam with 3 ounces (89 mL) of your favorite energy drink. Mix well and add some ice to your glass. Service and enjoy!
16. Jim Sprite
One of the more versatile sodas, Sprite can be found in many recipes. Its bubbly tanginess lends a more playful and lighter touch to bourbon whiskey. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes and first add in 4 ounces (118 mL) of Jim Beam. Then, fill the glass with about 7 ounces (207 mL) of Sprite.
17. Manhattan Jim
One of the more popular cocktails around, the Manhattan is perfect for social gatherings because of its subtle, sweet, and tangy flavor. Simply mix 3 ounces (89 mL) of Jim Beam with an ounce of sweet vermouth in a mixing glass. Add in some ice and a dash or two of bitters. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon peel or some cherries.
18. Old Fashioned Jim
This silky smooth concoction has been a favorite for whiskey drinkers far and wide. Pour a teaspoon of granulated sugar (or 1 sugar cube), about 3 dashes of Angostura bitters, and 2 ounces (59 mL) of Jim Beam into a glass, then give it a quick stir. Drop in 1 large ice sphere or 1⁄2 cup (64 g) of regular ice cubes. Twist an orange peel over the drink, then drop it in. Garnish with 1-2 bourbon or maraschino cherries in a cocktail pick, and enjoy!
19. Irish Jim
This drink is the perfect picker-upper. Pour an ounce of Jim Beam and half an ounce of honey liqueur into a coffee mug. Add in 6 ounces (177 mL) of hot, freshly-brewed coffee. Top the drink with whipped cream if you want a subtler, creamier flavor.
20. Mint Julep Jim
A favorite at the Kentucky Derby, this drink is sweet, fragrant, and refreshing. Combine about 4 mint sprigs (if you find the sprigs bitter, use only the leaves), 1 teaspoon (5.7 g) of powdered sugar, and about 2 teaspoons (8.4 g) of water in a highball glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour 2.5 ounces (74 mL) of Jim Beam into it. Stir, garnish with a mint sprig, then serve with a straw.
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What Is the Best Mixer for Jim Beam?
The best mixers for Jim Beam are ginger ale, coffee, honey, Coca-Cola, and club soda. Coffee, in particular, complements Jim Beam’s woody and smoky flavor, whether cold or hot. Adding whipped cream on top makes the drink more refreshing for the palate and pleasing to the eye.
Is Jim Beam Good To Drink Straight?
Jim Beam is good to drink straight to savor its smoky, sweet, and woody undertones. Enjoy it neat without ice and at room temperature. You can enjoy the aroma, take a small sip, allow it to settle on your tongue, and let it slide gently down your throat.
Is There an Ideal Glass for Serving Jim Beam Straight?
The ideal glass for serving Jim Beam straight is a snifter. The stem lets you hold your drink without affecting temperature while the flared bowl holds in the flavors and aromas, letting them waft gently up through the narrow opening.
For more, don’t miss The 6 Best Sweet Bourbons You’ll Ever Enjoy.
Anne James has a wealth of experience in a wide array of interests and is an expert in quilting, cooking, gardening, camping, mixing drinks (worked as a professional bartender), and making jelly.
Anne has a professional canning business, has been featured in the local newspaper as well as on the Hershey website, and has been her family canner for decades. Anyone growing up in the South knows that there is always a person in the family who has knowledge of the “old ways,” and this is exactly what Anne is.
With over 55 years of experience in these endeavors, she brings a level of hands-on knowledge that is hard to surpass. Amazingly, she doesn’t need to reference many resources due to her vast wealth of experience. She IS the source.
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