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7 bourbon cocktails to make you rethink the spirit


Read time 3 Mins

Posted 11 Jul 2024

By
Amelia Ball


A close-up of the bourbon-based cocktail Gold Rush

Forget cola – these are the best ways to get the most out of this complex dark spirit. 

Bourbon might have a bit of a blokey image, but don’t let that put you off – its reputation doesn’t come close to doing it justice. And you can do a whole more with this dark spirit than just mix it with Coke, too. Bourbon’s typically rich flavours and sweet oaky notes of vanilla and caramel bring all sorts of deliciousness to a huge range of cocktails, making it a surprise MVP for the home bar.   

For anyone uninitiated to bourbon, this type of whiskey must be produced in the US, aged in new, charred oak barrels, and made with 51% corn. There’s a big swing in flavours and styles, so mixing up your bourbon – or perhaps even choosing another type of whiskey altogether – will put a very different spin on your drink. 

With that in mind, we bring you a selection of hand-picked bourbon cocktails to play around with below. There are a couple of timeless stiff drinks in the mix to give you a taste of what bourbon’s all about, but if you prefer brighter, more refreshing cocktails, we have some brilliant recipes for that, too.

The Mint Julep is a refreshing cocktail that showcases bourbon
1. Mint Julep cocktail recipeWe’re starting with one of the all-time bourbon classics here – the Mint Julep. The signature drink of the Kentucky Derby – also arguably the home of bourbon – this is a super simple, fresh cocktail that mixes bourbon with mint and sugar syrup, and then gets loaded with crushed ice. Bright and minty fresh, it’s the ultimate refresher on a hot day (or when you want to pretend it’s summer), and these easy flavours create a crowd-pleasing combo.  
2. Old Fashioned cocktail recipeSticking with simple, the Old Fashioned is another age-old classic. There are riffs on riffs of this cocktail (Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned, anyone?), and you can make it with just about any spirit. But we think the OG bourbon-based Old Fashioned is the best place to start, showcasing all those smooth caramel flavours. All you need is bourbon, sugar syrup and bitters – and an ice tray to make those fancy big cubes for full effect.  
The Old Fashioned is a classic bourbon-based cocktail
The Midnight Stinger is a citrusy, bitter bourbon-based cocktail
3. Midnight Stinger cocktail recipeIntroducing some new flavours, the Midnight Stinger is a great pick if you’re looking for something a little different. A twist on the Cognac-based Stinger cocktail and the Whiskey Sour, this recipe includes the Italian amaro Fernet for a bitter kick, as well as bourbon, lemon juice and sugar syrup. Think citrusy and bright, but with a touch of bitterness that adds a little more interest.
4. Bourbon Peach Tea cocktail recipeAs one of the most popular cocktails in our collection, the Bourbon Peach Tea hits all those juicy stone fruit notes while bringing depth from cold black tea and curacao, all lifted by fresh lemon juice. Load up the glass with ice and fresh lemon slices, and this is a drink that nails the brief for sunny catch-ups, especially when pre-batched ahead of a crowd rocking up. This is one delicious crowd-pleaser, even if people don’t think they’re into bourbon.
The Bourbon Peach Tea is a vibrant cocktail
5. Boulevardier cocktail recipeIf you’re not so keen on all that fruitiness, the Boulevardier is for you. This subtle twist on the Negroni switches gin for bourbon, bringing oakier, richer notes to the combo. It’s only a minor tweak, but it makes a big difference. Just be sure to take your time stirring the ingredients in the glass with ice – you want it to be super chilled and diluted just right to dial down the bitterness and bring all the flavours together. 
6. Gold Rush cocktail recipeThe best cocktails borrow from great ones, and the Gold Rush does just that. Taking its cues from the Whiskey Sour, this recipe brings in honey in place of sugar, but keeps it simple with bourbon and lemon juice forming a trifecta of sweet and tangy ingredients. Our recipe calls for honey syrup, which is dead easy to make (mixing two parts honey to one part boiling water) to ensure an integrated final result.  
The Gold Rush is made with honey syrup, bourbon and lemon juice
Tamarind is the key to the Coconut Tamaretto Sour cocktail
7. Coconut Tamaretto Sour cocktail recipeOnce you’re ready to really get creative, this tropical-leaning cocktail awaits. Tamarind is the not-so-secret ingredient here, with its sweet-and-sour fruity flavour adding a special twist to this mix of bourbon, amaretto, honey syrup and coconut cream. Chuck all your ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake with ice, strain into a chilled glass, garnish with coconut flakes on top and maybe even a mini umbrella, and you can pretend you’re poolside somewhere exotic. 
Want more delicious cocktail ideas? Choose from our growing collection of recipes, which you can filter by ingredient, flavour profile and more. 
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
  1. What is the best bourbon for cocktails?
    The best bourbon for your cocktail is always the one you like most, but we’re big advocates for mixing and matching your whiskies – each one will bring different flavours and complexities to the final drink.

  2. Can I substitute other whiskies for bourbon in cocktails?
    Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of bourbon, have run out, or just like to experiment with your base spirit, trial Scotch, rye or whatever whisk(e)y tickles your fancy.

  3. What kind of glass should I use for bourbon cocktails?
    You can’t go wrong with an old fashioned or rocks glass, or for a Whisky Highball, you’ll be set with a Collins glass (or any other tall glass).