Category: Bourbon

Whiskey Smash

The WHISKEY SMASH is very similar to a Mint Julep, but combines with lemon juice to produce a tasty, minty Whiskey Sour. The “smash” likely refers to the muddling of lemon wedges and mint before adding bourbon (rye or Canadian...

Man o’ War

The MAN O’ WAR is a delicious bourbon cocktail associated with horse racing. Though it’s largely overshadowed by the bourbon Mint Julep, once it’s tried for the first time the Man o’ War becomes a cocktail repeater. It’s a good...

North Garden

The NORTH GARDEN is a New York City-created Old-Fashioned variation that adds hints of peat from Scotch, notes of apple from apple brandy, and the familiar sweet character of bourbon to the mix. Garnish is not necessary, but sweetening with...

Rhett Butler

The RHETT BUTLER is a a delicious bourbon-cranberry juice cocktail for the home bartender to consider. The combination cranberry, lime and bourbon go together smoothly with a touch of simple syrup. It’s simple to make, requiring common ingredients often already...

Manhattan Minute*

The MANHATTAN MINUTE is self-created and is offered to the home bartender as a Manhattan substitute when preparation-time is short or good sweet vermouth is not available. Aperol replaces the sweet vermouth and bitters which comprise a traditional Manhattan, allowing...

Bourbon Mash Comparisons

Most bourbon whiskies use three grains: corn, rye, barley. The corn percentage must be 51% or greater to be classified as bourbon. When comparing the mash compositions, there are a few outliers. Makers Mark uses wheat in place of rye....

“Classic Cocktails Every Drinker Should Know”

One of the online drinking sites — Liquor.com — published recently its view of the top 24 cocktails which all drinkers should know (which is about as objective as deciding the top 24 songs of all time). Though I disagree...

Brown Derby

The peak season for ruby-red grapefruit (November-June) is winding down. And so a good time to make a BROWN DERBY or other grapefruit-based cocktails is now. Using a sweet, juicy red grapefruit makes all the difference, the difference between “Wow!”...

8 Cocktails to Make for New Year’s Eve

As we approach a new year, it’s nice sometimes to toast the outgoing and incoming with something different, something memorable. If your go-to cocktail or champagne is too anti-climactic this year, here are some New Year’s suggestions as previously posted...

Gold Rush Cocktail (a.k.a. Chapel Hill)

When lemon and orange flavoring are mixed with bourbon, good things happen. The GOLD RUSH (EXPANDED) is one such drink and is one of my favorites. If you ask for one at a bar, they’ll hand you a Whiskey Sour...