7 Best Cocktails to Make with Bourbon

Smooth and spicy, rich and oaky, charred and full-bodied: the taste buds’ adventure never ends when it comes to crafting Bourbon cocktails. Purists might insist on serving this classic American spirit neat or on the rocks, but there’s a whole world to be discovered when you branch out your whiskey drinking with your favourite Bourbons. Read on for the most delicious Bourbon cocktails made using some of the top-rated whiskeys on ReserveBar.



AN OLD FASHIONED

Think of Bourbon cocktails and the first one that comes to mind is likely an Old Fashioned. A classic recipe in the world of whiskey drinking, the best Old Fashioned cocktail is made with a premium Bourbon like Angel's Envy. Combine 1/2 teaspoon sugar, three dashes Angostura bitters and one teaspoon water in a whiskey glass before pouring over 60ml of Bourbon and garnishing with an orange peel for a suave and simplistic cocktail that's simultaneously timeless and modern.



A BOURBON SOUR

The Bourbon sour promises to enliven your taste buds in a matter of seconds, combining zesty lemon with Bourbon's characteristic depth and egg white to pull it all together. You'll want a flavourful and balanced base for this cocktail, like Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon. To prepare this cocktail, combine 60ml Bourbon with one large egg white, 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice and 25 ounce simple syrup and shake vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass, top with bitters, and serve.

A BOURBON LEMONADE

Step your childhood favourite drink up a notch with the addition of a healthy swig of Bourbon. A Bourbon Lemonade is a perfect summer drink and is effortless to make. Bulleit Bourbon is a great choice here for a drink that's bold and spicy with a distinctively smooth finish. Combine 45ml Bulleit Bourbon with 120ml lemonade and serve on the rocks with a lemon slice for an unbeatably refreshing cocktail.



A HOT TODDY

The wise grandfather of the cocktail world, a Hot Toddy is warming and comforting from the first sip to the final drop. Wild Turkey 101 is our Bourbon of choice here. Ranked as one of the best bourbon brands in the world by Luxe Digital, Wild Turkey delivers deeply charred notes and endless depth. To make it, stir two teaspoons of honey into a mug of boiling water and add 45ml Bourbon and two or three teaspoons of lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick, if you're feeling fancy.

A MINT JULEP

The Mint Julep is the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby and has retained its status as an iconic American cocktail throughout the years. The one crucial element to this drink's success is crushed ice. For the best Mint Julep, We recommend a Bourbon like Maker's Mark Cask Strength, which uses oak, vanilla, caramel and spice to complement the mint notes from the cocktail. Combine four mint leaves and 15ml simple syrup into a Julep cup, muddle well and add 75ml Bourbon. Garnish with a mint sprig before serving.

A MANHATTAN

One drink that's never left the craft cocktail renaissance for too long is the world famous Manhattan. Classy and mellow with a touch of sweetness, this cocktail brings together 60ml Bourbon with 30ml sweet Vermouth, two dashes Angostura bitters and one dash orange bitters in a seamless drink that's effortless to create. We make ours using Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon for a cocktail that's smooth and full-bodied from start to finish. Strain all ingredients into a Coupe glass and garnish with a brandied cherry.

A BOULEVARDIER

Negroni lovers will definitely enjoy a Boulevardier; a rich and powerful cocktail that promises to take centre stage. Combine 35ml Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, appreciated here for its long and soft finish, with 30ml Campari and 30ml Vermouth in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon twist.

If you haven’t sampled some of the Bourbons mentioned above yet, now’s your chance to do so with a range of fail-safe recipes that you’re sure to enjoy. Or, if you’re already somewhat of a Bourbon connoisseur, try mixing your bottle of choice into one of these classic recipes for a new twist on an old favourite. When you’ve sampled all of the above, you can find more enjoyable Bourbons to try at ReserveBar.