Brown Derby
The Brown Derby was created at the Vendôme Club on Sunset Boulevard in the early 1930s and named after the famous hat-shaped restaurant. This classic Hollywood cocktail combines bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice, and honey syrup for a surprisingly balanced and refreshing drink.
New york sour
The New York Sour was created in the 1880s in Chicago and went through several names before settling on its current one. This visually striking cocktail is a Whiskey Sour topped with a float of dry red wine, creating beautiful layers and adding complexity to the classic sour formula.
Bourbon Rickey
The Bourbon Rickey was created in the 1880s at Shoomaker's bar in Washington D.C. when bartender George Williamson added lime to lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey's usual bourbon and sparkling water. This simple, sugar-free cocktail became a D.C. classic before the gin version took over in popularity.
Kentucky Mule
The Kentucky Mule is a bourbon-based variation of the Moscow Mule that emerged as bartenders across America started experimenting with regional spirits. This simple mix of bourbon, ginger beer, and lime juice creates a refreshing drink with more depth than the vodka original.
Bourbon Smash
The Bourbon Smash combines muddled lemon wedges and fresh mint with bourbon and simple syrup for a refreshing cocktail. Bartender Dale DeGroff popularized this modern version in the late 1990s, creating a drink that's like a Mint Julep meets Whiskey Sour.
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier first appeared in Harry MacElhone's 1927 book "Barflies and Cocktails," credited to American writer Erskine Gwynne. This Parisian creation swaps bourbon for gin in the classic Negroni formula, creating a richer, warmer cocktail that's gained popularity in recent years.
Paper Plane
The Paper Plane was created by bartender Sam Ross in 2008 for Chicago's The Violet Hour. Named after the M.I.A. song, this modern classic uses equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice for a perfectly balanced drink.
Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour is one of the simplest and most balanced cocktails ever created. With just bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, this drink has been a favorite for over 150 years. Learn how to make it right and whether the egg white addition is worth it.
The Mint julep
The Mint Julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1939, but this classic bourbon cocktail deserves attention beyond race day. With just bourbon, fresh mint, simple syrup, and crushed ice, it's one of the most refreshing drinks you can make at home.
HORSES NECK
The Horse's Neck is a classic American drink from the 1890s that started as a non-alcoholic hangover remedy before evolving into a whiskey cocktail. The drink is named for its distinctive long spiral of lemon peel that drapes over the glass rim like a horse's neck.