My Top 10 Drinks That Start With W (+ Recipes)

I decided to (literally) shake things with my favorite drinks that start with W. My list features classic and modern cocktails—and creative creations (watermelon cosmo, anyone?). These are the top 10 ‘W’ cocktails that will get you out of your routine.

Plot twist: The Wet Kiss did not make the list. Cheers!

My 10 Favorite Cocktail Recipes That Start With W

From the Whiskey Sour to the White Russian to the Ward 8, get ready to find your new favorite ‘W’ happy hour drink—along with easy to follow recipes.

Related: 80 Drinks That Start With S and 100 Drinks That Start With T

1. Whiskey Sour

♫ He drinks the whiskey drink. ♫

I make the classic recipe for friends who are into egg white. As a taste preference I skip the froth.

Easy Recipe: Shake 1½ oz bourbon, ¾ oz fresh lemon juice, ⅔ oz simple syrup, and a few drops of egg white (optional) with ice, strain into an old fashioned glass with ice and garnish with half an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

2. White Russian

The White Russian is a classic vodka, Kahlúa, and cream cocktail served over ice. I mean, this classic sip is basically dessert in a glass. Always loved by everyone I make it for.

Easy Recipe: Pour 2 oz vodka and 1 oz coffee liqueur into an old fashioned glass filled with ice, float 1 oz fresh cream on top and serve ungarnished.

3. Ward 8

Peachy, tart, and citrusy, this is the perfect drink to wind down with after a long day. It’s our favorite cocktail year round. I will say that I like to riff the garnish a bit, mostly by adding citrus. I think I’ll make one right now.

Easy Recipe: Shake 2 oz rye whiskey, ¾ oz fresh lemon juice, ¾ oz fresh orange juice, and 2 tsp grenadine with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.

4. Watermelon Cosmo

And just like that, this cocktail that starts with W brings us right back to Sex and the City. Sweet and fruity with a real punch, it’s a classic for every at home bartender. I add an extra splash of lime juice and garnish with a lime wedge. Your Cosmos will never be the same.

Easy Recipe: Shake 1⅓ oz vodka citron, ½ oz Cointreau, ½ oz fresh lime juice, 1 oz fresh watermelon juice with ice, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a watermelon slice.

5. White Lady

Warning: This drink that starts with W is STRONG, so don’t plan on going anywhere after sipping. I prefer a delicate gin like London Light. Delicious drink, no shaking? Win, win, win!

Easy Recipe: Shake 1½ oz gin, ¾ oz triple sec, and ¾ oz fresh lemon juice with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

6. Waldorf

Last night I made a Waldorf for after dinner at home. It’s so and I had the ingredients in my home bar on hand. I don’t know why it isn’t more popular.

Easy Recipe: Stir 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 1 barspoon absinthe, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.

7. Washington Apple

If I’m honest, it’s the fruity cranberry juice and apple slice are what really takes this ‘W’ cocktail over the top for me.

Easy Recipe: Shake 1 oz Canadian whisky, 1 oz sour apple liqueur, and 1 oz cranberry juice with ice, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with an apple slice.

8. Woo Woo

I made Woo Woos this past weekend and they were phenomenal (at least I thought so). I also think DeKyuper Peach Tree works well here. Woo!

Easy Recipe: Shake 1 oz vodka, 1 oz peach schnapps, and 2 oz cranberry juice with ice, strain into a highball glass with ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

9. Whiskey Ginger

This Whiskey Ginger is a little spicy and just the right amount of boozy. I love easy cocktails that stir up my holiday bartending game. I’m feeling festive already!

Easy Recipe: Build 2 oz whiskey over ice in a highball glass, top with ginger ale, stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

More Like This: 40 Ginger Ale Cocktail Recipes

10. White Negroni

I enjoy playing with the Negroni concept. I’d say give this variation a try with your favorite gin and report back.

Easy Recipe: Stir 1½ oz gin, 1 oz Suze (or other gentian liqueur), and 1 oz Lillet Blanc (or Cocchi Americano) with ice, strain into an old fashioned glass over ice and garnish with a lemon twist.

Drinks That Start With W – FAQs

What other cocktails can I try that start with the word white?

I suggest trying the White Lady, White Russian, White Negroni, White Sangria, White Spider, White Witch, White Cargo, White Lion, White Linen, White Cosmopolitan, White Port and Tonic, White Wine Spritzer, White Wine Cooler, White Christmas Margarita, White Chocolate Martini, White Heather, White Tiger, White Cloud, White Cap, White Velvet, and White Cuban.

What are more popular cocktail drinks that start with the letter W?

There are so many cocktails and mixed drinks that start with W! I’ve gathered over 40 of them here.

• Waikiki (light rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine)
• Waldorf No. 1 (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, absinthe, Angostura bitters, lemon twist garnish)
• Waldorf No. 2 (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, absinthe, orange bitters, lemon twist garnish)
• Walk Me Down (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, blue curaçao, sour mix, lemon-lime soda)
• Wallaby Darned (vodka, peach schnapps, champagne, orange juice, peach purée, mango purée)
• Ward Eight (rye whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine, cocktail cherry garnish, orange slice garnish)
• Washington Apple Shot (Canadian whisky, sour apple schnapps, cranberry juice)
• Washington Cocktail (brandy, dry vermouth, orange bitters, lemon twist garnish)
• Wassail Bowl (cider, sherry, brandy, sugar, spices, citrus)
• Water Moccasin (whiskey, peach schnapps, triple sec, sweet & sour mix)
• Watermelon Cosmo (vodka, watermelon schnapps, cranberry juice, lime juice, lime wedge garnish)
• Watermelon Daiquiri (light rum, lime juice, watermelon, simple syrup, lime wheel garnish)
• Watermelon Man (vodka, watermelon liqueur, lime juice, lemon-lime soda, lime wedge garnish)
• Watership Down (vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice)
• Wedding Bells (gin, apricot brandy, orange juice, lemon juice, orange twist garnish)
• West Coast Cooler (white wine, soda water, lime cordial, lemon slice garnish)
• West Side (vodka, lime juice, mint leaves, simple syrup, mint sprig garnish)
• Wet Kiss (vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice)
• Whiskey Buck (whiskey, ginger ale, lemon juice, lemon wedge garnish)
• Whiskey Collins (whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, soda water, lemon slice garnish, cocktail cherry garnish)
• Whiskey Cooler (whiskey, ginger ale, lemon peel garnish)
• Whiskey Daisy No. 1 (whiskey, lemon juice, orange curaçao, grenadine, soda water, lemon slice garnish)
• Whiskey Daisy No. 2 (whiskey, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, grenadine, soda water, cocktail cherry garnish)
• Whiskey Fix (whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, water, lemon wedge garnish)
• Whiskey Fizz (whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, soda water, lemon slice garnish)
• Whiskey Flip (whiskey, whole egg, sugar, nutmeg garnish)
• Whiskey Highball (whiskey, soda water, lemon twist garnish)
• Whiskey Mac (whiskey, ginger wine)
• Whiskey Manhattan (rye whiskey, sweet red vermouth, Angostura bitters, cocktail cherry garnish)
• Whiskey Old Fashioned (bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, Angostura bitters, water, orange slice garnish, cocktail cherry garnish)
• Whiskey Rickey (whiskey, lime juice, soda water, lime wedge garnish)
• Whiskey Sangaree (whiskey, port wine, sugar, nutmeg garnish)
• Whiskey Sling (whiskey, sugar, water, lemon peel garnish)
• Whiskey Smash (bourbon whiskey, lemon wedges, mint leaves, sugar syrup, mint sprig garnish)
• Whiskey Sour (bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white, cherry garnish, orange slice garnish)
• Whiskey Stone Sour (whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, orange slice garnish)
• Whiskey Toddy (whiskey, hot water, honey, lemon, cloves, lemon wheel garnish)
• White Lady (gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, lemon zest garnish)
• White Russian (vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh cream)
• White Sangria (white wine, brandy, orange liqueur, fruit, soda water)
• White Spider (vodka, white crème de menthe)
• White Witch (light rum, dark rum, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, pineapple wedge garnish, cocktail cherry garnish)
• Widow’s Kiss (apple brandy, Bénédictine, yellow Chartreuse, Angostura bitters, cocktail cherry garnish)
• Wild Irish Rose (Irish whiskey, red wine, lemon juice, sugar, lemon twist garnish)
• Woo Woo (vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, lime wedge garnish)
• Wrong Island Iced Tea (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, sour mix, cola, lemon wedge garnish)

What are non-alcoholic drinks beginning with W?

The most popular beverages that start with W are Water, Wheatgrass Shot, White Grape Juice, White Tea, Warm Apple Cider, Water Kefir, Wild Berry Smoothie, Watermelon Juice, Watermelon Lemonade, Worcestershire Mocktail, and Winter Punch.

What are the most popular American drink brands that start with the letter W?

Top alcohol and non-alcohol drink brands that start with the letter W include: Wild Turkey bourbon, Woodford Reserve, Welch’s (grape juice brand), White Claw (non‑alcoholic seltzer), Waterloo (sparkling water), Wewi (Brazilian organic soda), and Whole Earth (organic soda).

My related drink lists…

If you’d like more inspo on A-Z drinks to try–take a look at some of my other cocktail collections!

• 80 Drinks That Start With S
• 100 Drinks That Start With T
• 100 Beers That Start With M
• 100 Beers That Start With S

I also created lists of 100+ Foods That Start With I and 37 Fruits That Start With E if you’re hungry for more of my helpful guides!

Let me know what drinks that starts with W you’ll be sipping in the comments below!