BOURBON FIX
Learn how to make a Bourbon Fix - a classic 19th century cocktail with bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and crushed ice. Jerry Thomas included the Fix in his 1862 bartending guide.
BOURBON COBBLER
The Bourbon Cobbler is a bourbon variation of the classic Cobbler family that emerged in the 1830s. Jerry Thomas included a Whiskey Cobbler in his 1862 guide. This refreshing cocktail combines muddled citrus, bourbon, simple syrup, and crushed ice.
JOHN COLLINS
The John Collins originally used gin in the 1860s and was named after a London waiter. Over time, bourbon became the standard base spirit, creating a richer version of the classic Collins formula with lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.
WHISKEY SMASH
The Whiskey Smash dates back to the mid-1800s and gained prominence in Jerry Thomas's 1887 "Bar-Tenders Guide." This classic cocktail combines muddled mint and lemon with whiskey and simple syrup, creating a refreshing drink that's like a julep with added citrus.
SEELBACH
The Seelbach Cocktail was created in 1995 by Adam Seger at Louisville's Seelbach Hotel. Despite an elaborate backstory claiming pre-Prohibition origins, the drink is actually a modern creation. This elegant mix of bourbon, Cointreau, Angostura and Peychaud's bitters, and champagne became an instant classic.
COFFEE BOURBON FLIP
The Bourbon Flip traces back to 17th-century colonial America when flips were hot drinks made with beer, rum, and eggs, heated with a red-hot poker. The modern cold version combines bourbon, a whole egg, simple syrup, and nutmeg for a rich, creamy cocktail.
BOURBON HIGHBALL
The Bourbon Highball is one of the simplest cocktails you can make - just bourbon and soda water over ice with a lemon garnish. Dating back to the late 1800s, this straightforward drink lets the bourbon shine while staying light and refreshing.
Kentucky Buck
The Kentucky Buck was created in 2009 by bartender Erick Castro for Rickhouse bar in San Francisco. This modern classic combines muddled strawberries with bourbon, lemon juice, bitters, and ginger beer, creating a refreshing drink that became an instant hit and earned its place in cocktail history.
The Ward Eight
The Ward Eight originated in Boston in the late 1890s, likely created at Locke-Ober Café to celebrate political victories in the city's eighth ward. This rye whiskey cocktail combines lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine for a tart take on the classic Whiskey Sour.
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.
