If Bourbon is used carefully and stored correctly, it can double as a home bar or baking staple. We’re often making Maple Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake to share with friends. Or we’re playing riffs on Old-Fashioned or a refreshing mule in a classic pounded metal cup. These cocktail recipes show how Bourbon, which is a type of whiskey, can be used for any occasion.
Bufala Negra
You don’t have to store pantry staples in your bar cart, do you? This herbaceous, bourbon-based classic can be given a tart twist by adding a dash of balsamic vinegar.
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier Negroni is for whiskey lovers. This simple cocktail is made with just three ingredients: Campari, Bourbon, and Sweet Vermouth. It can be assembled in a matter of seconds using staples that you probably have in your home bar.
Maple-Bourbon Smash
This lightened Old-Fashioned cocktail is made with richly flavored dark amber maple syrup and citrus juices.
Bourbon Blackberry Collins
This versatile Collins can be used to accommodate raspberries and cherries as well as blackberries. You don’t have any bourbon? You can substitute vodka for rum.
Stiletto
This whiskey sour is flavored with brandy-soaked cherries, small-batch Knob Creek Bourbon, and almonds.
Shadow Woman
Old-Fashioned cocktails have a pear brandy kick and honey sweetness. The Bourbon gives the drink a little bite but doesn’t overpower it. Pear brandy, an unsweetened liquor made of fermented pear juices, is highly aromatic.
Bourbon-Tea Julep
This twist on the classic Mint Julep is made with tannins from black Tea. Oleo saccharum is a citrus oil made by steeping lemon peels and sugar in water. Its bright flavor gives each sip the perfect lift.
Banana-Rum Old-Fashioned
This bold and strong cocktail features both light rum and high-proof Bourbon. It also includes mellow crème de banana, which adds a touch of floral sweetness.
New York Sour
The New York Sour cocktail has a perfect balance of fruity red wines and sweet Bourbon. It is a classic cocktail for a reason. Large ice cubes are a great way to chill the cocktail and not dilute it. They also look great in rock glasses. For a thicker consistency, you can add an egg white to your shaker if you feel adventurous.
Mint Julep
Although the Kentucky Derby has made the Mint Julep the most famous drink, there are references to it as far back as 900 when it was used for medicinal purposes. Chris McMillian, a New Orleans bartender, was present at Bar UnCommon when he read an ode while mixing Mint Juleps. It was written in 1890s Kentucky by a newspaperman. He called the Mint Julep “the very best of drinks.”
Commodore 64
Jason Chan, an Australian bartender, has created this orange-infused version of the Commodore No. 2 (bourbon and creme de cacao, lemon Juice, and grenadine), from the 1935 Old Waltdorf-Astoria bar book.
Ginger Julep
Bobby Flay’s bright and vibrant gingery version of a Southern julep is vibrant. To make this cocktail shine, he adds fresh orange juice to the mix along with the ginger-mint syrup.
Winter Berries Cocktail
This Winter Berries cocktail is rich and fruity with mildly sweet darkberry liquor. It pairs well with sparkling wine, while Bourbon, which is grain-forward, adds heat. This bubbly sipper can be garnished with a thin half-moon slice of lemon.
Whiskey Chai
This comforting whiskey chai is meant to be enjoyed after a long night. The Zanzibar peppercorns from Burlap & Barrel are a favorite, adding a bright, almost-fruity flavor to this sweet drink.
Tamarind Whiskey Sour
Tamarind gives any dish a distinctive, sharp, sweet, and tart flavor. This classic cocktail is sure to delight even the most devoted drinker.
Big Texan Bourbon & Grapefruit Cocktail
This simple and crowd-pleasing cocktail is made with fresh grapefruit juice, basil, and Bourbon. For a touch of visual intrigue, serve it in an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.
Paper Plane
The Paper Plane is simple to assemble and easy to drink, but it has a complex flavor profile. It’s bright and fresh with enough heft that it can be considered autumn-appropriate.
Apricot Nectarine Julep
The perfect late-summer cocktail is a puree of nectarines and roasted apricots. For a cocktail that almost looks like Hawaiian shaved ice, pour some of the reserved purees over the crushed ice. You can also roast and purée other stone fruits like plums or sour cherries.
Vanilla Old-Fashioned
This recipe calls for a Tahitian or Madagascan vanilla bean of high quality. These beans are expensive, but the drink is worth it for their extraordinary flavor.
Bizzy Izzy
Oloroso sherry is a classic ingredient in cocktails. Its sweetness and body make it a perfect match for aged spirits such as Bourbon. Both were used in the Bizzy-Izzy cocktail by Tom Bullock, which is a classic 1917 book The Perfect Bartender.
Homemade Eggnog
A double boiler and a whisk are required to make rich, creamy homemade eggnog. You can make a festive drink in just two steps. Make sure it is chilled thoroughly before you serve it. Give it a final whisk to ensure everything is well blended.