1. Bourbon Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp water
- Orange peel (for garnish)
- Cherry (optional)
Instructions
- Place sugar cube in a rocks glass, add bitters and water, and muddle until dissolved.
- Add bourbon and a large ice cube.
- Stir gently for 20 seconds.
- Garnish with an orange peel and cherry (optional).
History
The Old Fashioned, dating to the early 1800s, is the quintessential cocktail, with bourbon giving it a distinctly American twist.
Tips
Use a high-proof bourbon for boldness. Twist the orange peel over the glass to release its oils.
2. Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig (for garnish)
Instructions
- Muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.
- Add bourbon and fill with crushed ice.
- Stir until the cup frosts.
- Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
History
A Southern classic since the 18th century, the Mint Julep became the Kentucky Derby’s signature drink in 1938.
Tips
Slap the mint sprig before garnishing to release its aroma.
3. Bourbon Manhattan
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Cherry (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add bourbon, vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir for 20-30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a cherry.
History
Originating in the 1870s at New York’s Manhattan Club, bourbon softens this classic compared to rye’s spice.
Tips
Chill the glass beforehand for a crisp sip.
4. Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- Cherry and orange slice (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a shaker.
- D0Dry shake (no ice) for 15 seconds.
- Add ice and shake for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.
History
Documented in the 1860s, the Whiskey Sour evolved from a sailor’s remedy into a barroom favorite.
Tips
The egg white adds a velvety texture—shake hard for foam.
5. Boulevardier
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Orange twist (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add bourbon, Campari, and vermouth.
- Stir for 20-30 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
History
First published in 1927, this Negroni variant was created for an American expat in Paris.
Tips
A robust bourbon balances Campari’s bitterness—stir, don’t shake.
6. Kentucky Mule
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 4-6 oz ginger beer
- Lime wedge (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.
- Add bourbon and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
History
A bourbon riff on the 1940s Moscow Mule, this drink celebrates Kentucky’s whiskey roots.
Tips
Use a spicy ginger beer for a bold contrast.
7. Paper Plane
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino
- 3/4 oz Aperol
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
History
Created in 2008 by Sam Ross, this modern classic blends bourbon with Italian liqueurs.
Tips
Fresh lemon juice is key—don’t substitute.
8. Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Muddle lemon wedges, mint, and simple syrup in a shaker.
- Add bourbon and ice.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
History
A 19th-century twist on the Mint Julep, the Smash adds citrus for brightness.
Tips
Muddle gently to avoid bitter mint flavors.
9. Gold Rush
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
History
A 2000s creation by T.J. Siegel at Milk & Honey, this is a honeyed Whiskey Sour variant.
Tips
Warm the honey slightly to blend it with water smoothly.
10. Bourbon Highball
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4-6 oz club soda
- Lemon wedge (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in bourbon.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge if desired.
History
A simple 19th-century refresher, the Highball lets bourbon shine with minimal fuss.
Tips
Use chilled soda for maximum fizz.
11. Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz hot water
- Cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
- Add honey, lemon juice, and bourbon to a mug.
- Pour in hot water and stir until honey dissolves.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired.
History
A warming remedy since the 18th century, the Hot Toddy soothes and comforts.
Tips
Adjust honey and lemon to your taste.
12. Bourbon Sidecar
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- Sugar (for rim, optional)
Instructions
- Rim a glass with sugar (optional).
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
History
A twist on the 1920s classic, bourbon replaces cognac for a richer flavor.
Tips
Use a smooth bourbon to complement the citrus.
13. Kentucky Colonel
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Bénédictine
- Orange twist (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add bourbon and Bénédictine.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
History
A lesser-known classic, this drink pairs bourbon’s warmth with herbal Bénédictine.
Tips
Stir gently to keep it smooth.
14. Bourbon Milk Punch
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 4 oz whole milk
- Grated nutmeg (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, simple syrup, and milk.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a glass over ice.
- Garnish with nutmeg.
History
A Southern tradition since the 18th century, milk punch is a creamy delight.
Tips
Use fresh nutmeg for a fragrant finish.
15. Bourbon Rickey
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 4-6 oz club soda
- Lime wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add bourbon and lime juice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
History
A 19th-century creation, the Rickey swaps gin for bourbon in this refreshing highball.
Tips
Fresh lime juice makes it pop.
16. Bourbon Daisy
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine
- Club soda
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and grenadine.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a glass over ice.
- Top with club soda.
History
Part of the 19th-century Daisy family, this version highlights bourbon’s versatility.
Tips
Use homemade grenadine for a richer taste.
17. Bourbon Flip
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 whole egg
- Grated nutmeg (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add bourbon, simple syrup, and egg to a shaker.
- Dry shake (no ice) for 20 seconds.
- Add ice and shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with nutmeg.
History
A colonial-era drink, the Flip uses a whole egg for a frothy texture.
Tips
Shake well to emulsify the egg.
18. Kentucky Breakfast
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz heavy cream
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, coffee liqueur, and cream.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
History
A playful twist on the White Russian, this drink nods to Kentucky’s bourbon legacy.
Tips
Use a strong coffee liqueur for balance.
