Four classics. Four very good reasons to reach for the bourbon bottle.
This is the final post in our series celebrating National Bourbon Heritage Month.
We thought we’d end the series by sharing recipes for the most popular bourbon cocktails. Of course, many bourbon aficionados prefer to enjoy their bourbon neat or with an ice cube or two. But if straight-up bourbon isn't your style, you owe it to yourself to try these four classic bourbon cocktail recipes.
The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails in the American canon, with roots in the early 1800s, when a “cocktail” was essentially spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. By the late 19th century, drinkers reportedly began asking bartenders to make their whiskey cocktails the “old-fashioned way” rather than adding the fashionable new ingredients appearing behind the bar.
Add the simple syrup and bitters to a rocks glass. Pour in the bourbon, add a large ice cube, and stir gently for about 20–30 seconds, which chills the drink while adding just enough dilution to soften the whiskey. Cut a strip of orange peel and twist it over the glass to release the citrus oils, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink. If you prefer the traditional sugar-cube method, muddle the cube with the bitters and a teaspoon of water before adding the bourbon.
Few cocktails are more closely associated with Kentucky than the Mint Julep, although the drink actually predates Kentucky bourbon. People in the American South were drinking juleps by the early 1800s, and bourbon eventually became the spirit of choice. Its famous connection to the Kentucky Derby was cemented in the 20th century, and today the Julep is practically synonymous with Derby Day.
Place the mint leaves and simple syrup in the bottom of a Julep cup or rocks glass and gently press the mint with a muddler. Don't pulverize it; you're trying to release the aromatic oils, not turn the leaves into pesto. Add the bourbon and fill the glass generously with crushed ice. Stir until the outside of the cup or glass becomes thoroughly chilled, then mound more crushed ice on top. Garnish with a big mint sprig positioned near the straw so you smell the mint with every sip.
Compared with the Old Fashioned and Julep, the Gold Rush is the new kid at the bourbon bar. Created at New York City's influential Milk & Honey bar in the early 2000s, it quickly became a modern classic. Think of it as a Whiskey Sour with honey replacing the traditional sugar — simple, bright, and remarkably bourbon-friendly.
For the honey syrup, combine two parts honey with one-part warm water and stir until completely blended. Let it cool before using.
Add bourbon, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over one large cube or several fresh ice cubes. A lemon twist makes an easy garnish, although the original drink doesn't need much decoration.
The Brown Derby takes us to Hollywood's Golden Age. The cocktail appeared in Los Angeles during the 1930s and took its name from the famous Brown Derby restaurants frequented by movie stars and studio executives. Its combination of bourbon, grapefruit, and honey sounds unusual until you taste it — the tart citrus and mellow sweetness play particularly well against bourbon's vanilla and caramel notes.
Add the bourbon, grapefruit juice and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, about 10–15 seconds. Double-strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass; the second strain removes small pieces of grapefruit pulp and ice. Express a grapefruit peel over the drink to release its oils and use it as the garnish.
With the largest selection of bourbon brands in the region, it’s no wonder City Beat readers have selected us as the #1 liquor store in Cincinnati for 32 years running.
We’ve recently revamped our website to create a Bourbon Headquarters page that takes a deep dive into the world of bourbon. This special section features details about The Party Source Private Barrels and The Party Source and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
And don’t forget, we also offer in-store pickup, curbside pickup, and local delivery! Delivery in Northern Kentucky requires a $35.00 minimum and a $5.00 delivery fee. We can have curbside/in-store pickup ready in as little as 2 hours. All customers receive a notification via email/text when their order is ready for pickup. We have same-day Delivery; these are also ready in as little as 2 hours.
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
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