Smooth & Spirited: Bourbon Recipes for Every Occasion
Old Fashioned
A timeless bourbon cocktail that’s both simple and elegant.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel (for garnish)
- Maraschino cherry (optional)
Mint Julep
A refreshing drink perfect for hot weather and the Kentucky Derby.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Crushed ice
Instructions:
- Muddle the mint leaves with simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice.
- Pour bourbon over the ice and stir.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
Whiskey Sour
A tangy and balanced drink that highlights bourbon’s flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional, for a frothy texture)
- Lemon twist (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Shake bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) in a shaker with ice.
- Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Manhattan
A rich and aromatic cocktail, often served as a pre-dinner drink.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Stir bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Bourbon Smash
A fruity and refreshing drink with a little extra zing.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 4-5 fresh lemon wedges
- 5-6 fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
- Muddle the lemon wedges and mint leaves with simple syrup in a shaker.
- Add bourbon and ice, then shake well.
- Strain into a rocks glass with ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
Bourbon Boulevardier
A twist on the classic Negroni, with bourbon as the base.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange peel (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Stir bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel twist.
Bourbon and Ginger
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz ginger ale
- Lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour bourbon over the ice and top with ginger ale.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Bourbon Peach Smash
A sweet and fruity twist on the classic smash.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3-4 fresh peach slices (or 1 oz peach puree)
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Muddle peach slices (or peach puree) and mint leaves with simple syrup in a shaker.
- Add bourbon and lemon juice, then fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a peach slice.
Bourbon Cider Sour
A warm and cozy cocktail perfect for fall or winter.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 oz apple cider
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Dash of cinnamon (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Shake bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a dash of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.
