Apart from gin and vodka, bourbon is one of the most popular and preferred bases for cocktails. The vanilla, caramel, and chocolaty flavors of bourbon are truly satisfying, particularly in a cocktail.
Bourbon is known as the “native spirit” of America and September is considered to be National Bourbon Heritage Month. We’ve compiled the recipes of some of the best bourbon cocktails to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month. Grab your bar tools and get ready to make some delicious bourbon cocktails!
History Of Bourbon Heritage Month
American whiskey has an important economic, cultural, and social function in the rich history of the country. It can be dated back to around 400 years ago, when the first batch of corn whiskey was distilled by the English colonist named George Thorpe. This tradition of distilling was continued by George Washington in Virginia.
However, it was not until 1964 when Congress passed an act that stated that bourbon must be made only in the U.S! It also stated that the production of bourbon should have 51% corn, and needs to be aged in new, charred oak barrels for a minimum period of 2 years. In the year 2007, a resolution was passed by the U.S Senate, that declared September as ‘National Bourbon Heritage Month’. Since then, all bourbon lovers gather and celebrate the history, craftsmanship, and achievements of the bourbon industry.
Also Read: 7 Easy Cocktails To Make At Home
7 Best Bourbon Cocktails
- Bourbon Sour
- Mint Julep
- Hot Toddy
- Whiskey Smash
- Kentucky Mule
- Bourbon Manhattan
- Classic Old Fashioned
1. Bourbon Sour
One of the most popular variations of the Whiskey Sour cocktail is the Bourbon Sour. This is considered a classic sour cocktail that many bartenders will know to make. It is made with two parts of bourbon, one part sour, and one part sweet. You can enjoy your Bourbon Sour cocktail if you get the right proportions to make this drink. Let’s take a look at how to make a Bourbon Sour cocktail!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- ¾ ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- 1 dash of Angostura bitters
How To Make A Bourbon Sour Cocktail
- Add some ice halfway through a cocktail shaker.
- Add the bourbon, egg white, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the cocktail shaker. Make sure that you shake the ingredients vigorously so that they blend well.
- Serve the drink in a cocktail glass and top with angostura bitters.
2. Mint Julep
Another iconic cocktail that you can make to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month is Mint Julep. It is considered to be the signature cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. This cocktail has just the right balance of sweet, smoky, and herbal flavors to rejuvenate you inside out! A Mint Julep cocktail can be made easily at home with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients
- 4-5 mint leaves
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- Mint sprig to garnish
How To Make A Mint Julep Cocktail
- Take a Julep or a Collins glass and add the mint leaves and simple syrup to it.
- Muddle the leaves properly so that the sugar gets dissolved and the mint leaves release their oils and aromas.
- Pour the bourbon into the glass and add some crushed ice over it till the glass gets frosty.
- You can garnish the cocktail with a mint sprig before serving it.
Also Read: Best Simple Syrup Substitutes In Cocktails
3. Hot Toddy
Just like the name of the cocktail suggests, Hot Toddy is a great cocktail to warm you up. Today, this cocktail is consumed across the world, as a morning beverage, a casual midday drink, and even to cure colds! It’s time you make some Hot Toddy at home and savor this comforting cocktail. Go grab your favorite cocktail mug and let’s get started with the recipe to make a classic Hot Toddy.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of boiling water
- 1 ½ ounce of bourbon whiskey
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 slice of lemon
- Lemon wedge to garnish
How To Make A Hot Toddy
- Take a cocktail mug and add the boiling water, bourbon, and honey to it.
- Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, and lemon slice, and keep the mixture aside for 5 minutes so that all flavors blend well.
- Finally, garnish the Hot Toddy cocktail with a lemon wedge and then serve it.
Also Read: Beer Cocktails That You Can Enjoy At Home
4. Whiskey Smash
If you’re looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make bourbon cocktail at home, you should definitely try making a Whiskey Smash. It has a tangy and citrusy taste that people have been enjoying for centuries now! The refreshing ingredients of this cocktail like mint and lime juice make it a pleasant drink for all kinds of occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of lemon
- 5 mint leaves
- 2 cups of crushed ice
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce of simple syrup
- 1 sprig of fresh mint
How To Make A Whiskey Smash
- Take a cocktail shaker and add the lemon slices and mint leaves to it. You’ll need to muddle them using a muddler or a wooden spoon. This is to release the lemon juice and bring out the aromas of the mint leaves.
- Add 1 cup of crushed ice to the cocktail shaker. Pour the bourbon and simple syrup over it. After that, add the remaining cup of crushed ice to the shaker and shake it vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Strain the mixture in a cocktail glass and garnish it with a mint sprig. Your Whiskey Smash cocktail is ready to be served!
Also Read: 7 3-Ingredient Vodka Cocktails That You Can Make
5. Kentucky Mule
Kentucky Mule is a variation of the Classic Moscow Mule cocktail. This bright and bold cocktail made with bourbon whiskey can be enjoyed for all parties in any season. And the best thing about Kentucky Mule is that it can be made with just 3 ingredients! Take a look at its recipe and make it at home by yourself!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 ounces of ginger beer
- Lime wedge or mint leaves to garnish (optional)
How To Make A Kentucky Mule
- Take a copper mug and add the bourbon, lime juice, and ginger beer to it.
- Add some ice to the drink and top it with a lime wedge or some mint leaves. There you have it, your Kentucky Mule is ready to be served!
6. Bourbon Manhattan
Bourbon Manhattan is one of the most popular variations of the Classic Manhattan cocktail. This timeless and tasty cocktail has bourbon as one of the key ingredients. Its flavors of vanilla and caramel oak blend well with the sweet vermouth used in the cocktail. Here’s an easy recipe for making a Bourbon Manhattan at home!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce of sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters or orange bitters
- Cherries to garnish
How To Make A Bourbon Manhattan
- Take a mixing glass and add the bourbon, vermouth, and bitters to it.
- Add some ice to the glass and stir it well to blend the ingredients.
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass. You can add the finishing touch to the cocktail by garnishing it with some cherries.
7. Classic Old Fashioned
Whether you’re a cocktail lover or new to the world of cocktails, you must’ve surely heard of Old Fashioned. This is that one classic cocktail you’ll find on the menu of every bar and restaurant you visit. It can be made easily at home. You can use either rye whiskey or bourbon for the base of your cocktail. Since we’re celebrating Bourbon Heritage Month, here’s the recipe for a Classic Old Fashioned.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey
- ¼ ounce of simple syrup
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange wedge to garnish
How To Make Classic Old Fashioned
- Take a rock glass and add the simple syrup and bitters to it.
- Add some ice to the glass and stir the mixture well to blend the ingredients.
- Pour the bourbon whiskey over the ice and stir the drink for 30 seconds.
- Garnish the cocktail with an orange wedge and then serve it.
Summing Up
Bourbon has a rich history associated with it. No wonder there are so many bourbon cocktails that are enjoyed across the world. These were some of the best bourbon cocktails you can enjoy to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month. It’s time you ring up your friends, host a party, and make these delicious bourbon cocktails to woo your guests!
FAQs
What Are The Best Cocktails With Bourbon?
Here’s a list of some of the best cocktails with bourbon:
- Bourbon Sour
- Mint Julep
- Hot Toddy
- Whiskey Smash
- Kentucky Mule
- Bourbon Manhattan
- Bourbon Old Fashioned
What Is The Most Popular Mixer With Bourbon?
Some of the most popular mixers with bourbon are as follows:
- Angostura bitters
- Ginger ale
- Coca-Cola
- Soda water
- Ginger syrup
How Do You Drink A Favorite Bourbon?
It goes without saying that you can enjoy your favorite bourbon as a neat drink. There are several best bourbon cocktails like Bourbon Sour, Mint Julep, Hot Toddy, etc that you can try. These cocktails can help you drink and enjoy your favorite bourbon.
What Is The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey?
The main difference between bourbon and whiskey lies in the grain used to produce them and their place of production. While the former is an American whiskey that has 51% of corn, the latter can be made using different types of grains like rye, barley, or wheat.
What Is A Bourbon And Coke Called?
A bourbon and coke will make the Jack and Coke cocktail, also called ‘JD’. It’s a cocktail that is made using Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey.
What Soda Mixes With Bourbon?
One of the best sodas to mix with bourbon is lemon-lime soda. You can also use other mixers like Coca-Cola, Ginger Ale, Soda Water, etc.
What Food Goes Good With Bourbon?
Here’s a list of foods that go good with bourbon:
- Smoked pork ribs
- Smoked salmon
- Gouda or Cheddar cheese
- Fruits like blueberries, raspberries, and cherries
- Chocolate truffles and caramels
How Can I Make Bourbon Taste Better?
Here’s how you can make bourbon taste better:
- Choose the right bourbon glass to serve
- Add ice or whiskey stones to serve chilled bourbon
- Add mixers like ginger ale, soda, or any other cocktail syrups
- Use bitters to add more flavors to your bourbon
- Make bourbon cocktails and garnish them with lime or orange wedges or fruits like berries
