At the Bar

Are you stumped on what goes well with bourbon? Looking to impress friends at the next get-together with new cocktails?

Fortunately for you, we have put together a list of some common, and not so common cocktails which enhance the many characteristics of bourbon.

“Whisky is liquid sunshine.”

George Bernard Shaw

Classic Bourbon Cocktails

Classic Manhattan

2parts Knob Creek Bourbon
(or Knob Creek Rye Whiskey)
1/2part sweet vermouth
2-3dashes Angostura Bitters
1cherry, for garnish

Pour the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until the mixing glass is very cold to touch. Place the ice and cherry in a rocks glass, then strain the shaker over the fresh ice.

For this recipe and more, visit Knob Creek.

Gold Rush

2ounces Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
3/4ounces Domaine de Canton
1/2ounces fresh lemon juice
1brandied cherry (or lemon wheel), for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a brandied cherry.

For this recipe and more, visit Heaven Hill.

Kentucky Mule

2parts Jim Beam Black Bourbon
3parts ginger beer
1splash lime juice
1lime wheel, for garnish

Build over ice in a tall highball glass. Garnish with lime wheel.

For this recipe and more, visit Jim Beam.

Boulevardier

1 1/2ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon
3/4ounces sweet vermouth
3/4ounces Campari
1cherry, for garnish

Add all ingredients into mixing glass. Stir, and strain over ice into rocks glass. Garnish with a cherry.

For this recipe and more, visit Wild Turkey.

Frontier Old Fashioned

1 1/4ounces Bulleit Bourbon
2bar spoons simple syrup
3dashes Angostura Bitters
1orange peel, for garnish

Add two bar spoons of simple syrup, three dashes of bitters and Bulleit Bourbon to a large rocks glass. Add ice. Stir gently until the level of the ice and liquid equalize. Zest an orange peel over the glass then add the peel to the drink as a garnish.

For this recipe and more, visit Bulleit.

Other Recipes

Bloody Mark
1 part Maker's Mark Bourbon
4 parts tomato juice
1 small scoop horseradish
3 dashes Tabasco hot sauce
4-6 dashes Worcestershire sauce
3 turns mixed peppercorn mill
2 dashes celery salt
Juice of half a lemon

Fill tall glass with ice and all ingredients. Stir or shake and pour over rimmed glass with ice.

Optional garnish: Parmesan-and-chili-powder-rimmed glass (rim the glass with leftover lemon and dip rim into Parmesan and chili mixture).

For this recipe and more, visit Maker's Mark.

Double Oaked Sour
2 ounces Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
3/4 ounces lemon juice
3/4 ounces honey syrup
lemon peel or candied ginger, for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain over ice in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a candied ginger or a lemon peel.

For this recipe and more, visit Woodford Reserve.

Hot Toddy
2 parts Angel's Envy
1 part honey
1/4 part lemon juice
1/4 cup of hot tea or water
lemon slice or cinnamon stick, for garnish

Combine the ingredients into the bottom of a mug. Garnish with lemon or a cinnamon stick.

For this recipe and more, visit Angel's Envy.

Kentucky Bubbly
1 part Maker's Mark Bourbon
Chilled Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider
Maraschino cherry

Add Maker’s Mark Bourbon to a champagne flute, then fill with chilled sparkling apple cider. Add a maraschino cherry.

For this recipe and more, visit Maker's Mark.

Mint Julep
2 parts Maker's Mark Bourbon
1/2 part simple syrup
Fresh mint leaves
Mint sprig, for garnish

Add all ingredients to a julep cup. Gently muddle mint to express the oils. Add crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.

For this recipe and more, visit Maker's Mark.

We are a collection of folks with a penchant for America's Native Spirit! Our purpose is to celebrate the heritage of bourbon, Kentucky, and our nation.

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