What better way to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month than with a dozen classic bourbon cocktails. We start out with two bourbon lover’s favorites, Bourbon Neat and Bourbon on the Rocks. Many of you can stop right here. Then we move to another 10 easy to make classics like the Old Fashioned, a Bourbon and Coke (don’t panic, look at the recipe) and of course the Mint Julep.
Each of these vintage cocktail illustrations were drawn from scratch by illustrator and designer Rachael Sinclair. Her vintage inspired illustrations are both beautiful and elegant. Rachael says, “I’m a life-long creative with a deep love for Kentucky, pop culture, entertainment, and all things beautiful. Classically trained, I use my foundation with traditional media to work in the digital realm.” We are glad you do what you do!
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12 Classic Bourbon Cocktails Infographic
Click image to enlarge.
Bourbon Neat
- Pour 2 oz bourbon into a Glencairn or old-fashioned glass.
- Sip and Enjoy.
Bourbon on the Rocks
- Pour 2 oz bourbon into a Glencairn or old-fashioned glass.
- Add desired amount of ice.
Old Fashioned
- Muddle 1 sugar cube
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 orange wheel
- 1 Marachino cherry
- And a splash of club soda
Mix in an old-fashioned glass. Remove orange rind, add 2 oz of bourbon and fill with ice. Garnish with fresh cherry and orange peel.
Bourbon Sour
- Add 2 oz bourbon
- 1oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- And a dash of egg white (optional) to shaker.
Fill with ice and shake. Strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with cherry or lemon wedge.
Milk Punch
- Shake 2 oz bourbon
- 1 cup milk
- And 1 tsp powdered sugar with ice.
Stain into Collins glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Sazerac
- Rinse chilled old-fashioned glass with absinthe, discard excess and set aside.
- Muddle 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.
- Add 2 oz bourbon
Fill with ice and stir. Strain into old-fashioned glass. Garnish with twist of lemon peel.
Bourbon and Coke (Don’t panic, read!)
- Add 2 oz bourbon to cocktail or old-fashioned glass
- Discard coke.
- Sip and enjoy!
Hot Toddy
- Fill a mug with boiling hot water and let stand
- Stud lemon twist and 4 cloves and set aside
- Demerara or brown sugar to water, stir to dissolve
- Add prepared lemon twist and stir
- Add lemon juice and bourbon
Stir and serve.
Manhattan
- Stir 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters with ice
Stain into martini or coupe glass. Garnish with cherry or lemon peel.
Kentucky Mule
- Add 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup
- .5 oz lime juice
Fill copper mug with cubed ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a wedge of lime and fresh mint sprig.
Mint Julep
- Lightly muddle 8 mint leaves and .25 oz simple syrup in a Julep cup
- Add 2 oz bourbon
- Pack tightly with crushed ice
Stir. Add more ice. Garnish with mint sprig.
Brown Derby
- Add 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- .5 oz honey syrup to shaker
Fill with ice and shake. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with grapefruit wedge or twist.
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