Ever wondered what the difference is between a Negroni vs a Boulevardier? One of the first craft cocktails outside of the common whiskey cocktail canon people explore at a craft cocktail bar is the Boulevardier. With the substitution of bourbon for gin, the flavor profile varies wildly from the Negroni. Let’s take a closer look […]
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Stroll into Fall with this Scrumptious Fig Old Fashioned
I prefer figs over pumpkin spice, and creating this Fig Old Fashioned just cemented itself as my new favorite fall bourbon cocktail. I’d been planning on making a fig syrup for cocktails for weeks, and when I finally did my first use of it was a scrumptious Fig Old Fashioned that will be a staple […]
The Secret to a Great Fall Old Fashioned: Homemade Fig Syrup
Fresh figs elude me in Kentucky – the best I can source is Trader Joe’s fresh figs for a two-week period in late August and early September so putting together a homemade fig syrup for fall cocktails from dried figs is perfect for my location. Because I’m using dried figs instead of fresh figs, I […]
Manhattan vs Old Fashioned Cocktail: What’s the Difference?
I’m often asked the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned. The two classic whiskey cocktails seem widely different to me, but I’ve tasted hundreds of them. To someone new to the whiskey or cocktail space, Manhattan vs Old Fashioned seems mysterious, because there really are a lot of commonalities between them. Both are […]
You Need This Peach Old Fashioned in Your Life, Seriously
Hold up, you’ve never tried a Peach Old Fashioned cocktail? If you’re a bourbon lover or a peach lover, this combination of ripe peach flavor, sweet bourbon, and a dash of bitters makes a gloriously refreshing summer tipple. And I’ve got two ways to get that peach flavor in it, and one doesn’t require making […]
Banana Split Boulevardier
When you can’t decide between a dessert and a drink, build (or batch) this Banana Split Boulevardier as the answer to both. I had made some great infusions and just a touch of each. For a standard boulevardier you combine bourbon, sweet vermouth and Campari. But for this gem I used banana-infused bourbon, strawberry-infused Campari […]
How to Judge Whiskey: What Happens at a Whiskey Competition
Judging at a whiskey competition sounds like a cushy gig until you realize a whiskey judge evaluates and provides specific notes and feedback on 50, 70, or even 100 spirits. But there’s a seriousness to it, and while drinking whiskey may be fun, judging it can be hard work. After my first experience judging at […]
Aperol Manhattan to Cure What Ails You (AKA Little Italy)
Try this easy, spirit-forward, three-ingredient cocktail for a fast and approachable cocktail – the Aperol Manhattan, also known as the Little Italy. Reaching for Aperol instead of amaro in this riff of a riff (a riff of a Black Manhattan) adds citrus flavors and robust bitterness to the cocktail. Topping the cocktail with floral Montenegro […]
Killer Lemon Bourbon Slushie Will Make Your House the Popular House
Tempted to try a bourbon slushie in this sweltering weather? This lavender lemon bourbon slushie is an easy to make and even easier to sip cocktail. It’s perfect for parties because you can create a batch, put it in the freezer and just pull it out about 15 minutes before serving to defrost a touch. […]
Make These 10 Kick-Ass Whiskey Mocktails at Home
Whiskey mocktails are going mainstream. People have many reasons for going spirit-free, from personal preference or pregnancy to medication or dependence, and there are plenty of reasons to keep alcohol out of the mix. While in the past this meant cloyingly sweet blends of fruit juices or sodas, in today’s spirit-free market alternatives to classic […]
You Need This Strawberry Whiskey Smash in Your Life
Summer strawberries inspired me to make this easy and fast riff on a classic – a Strawberry Whiskey Smash. By adding in strawberry flavor to the simple syrup and by muddling fresh strawberries, this whiskey cocktail can be both easy and refreshing at the end of the day or the start of a long weekend. […]
Your Best Summer Cocktail Has Arrived: Watermelon Whiskey Cocktail
No flavor evokes the essence of summer for me more than watermelon, so when I made this watermelon whiskey cocktail with watermelon syrup, citrus, and a healthy dose of whiskey I wanted to share it immediately. Not only does it taste refreshing (as a riff on a classic whiskey sour that’s not hard to do), […]
How to Make a Kick-Ass Strawberry Old Fashioned
Take advantage of the flavor of fresh strawberries in the spring and early summer with this fabulous Strawberry Old Fashioned. It’s easy to make, delicious to sip and a great cocktail to convert cocktail lovers to summer whiskey cocktails. I’m a sucker for strawberries from the Farmer’s Market or picked straight from the fields, and […]
You Can’t Screw Up this No Cook Strawberry Syrup for Fantastic Cocktails
There’s an easy way to infuse syrup with the flavor of fresh strawberries: this no cook strawberry simple syrup. It’s so simple you really can’t screw it up. (Did I just hear “challenge accepted” from the interwebs?) Just like my grandmother used to sprinkle sugar on her strawberries and let them sit out on the […]
You’re Making Your Watermelon Syrup All Wrong
Stop cooking your watermelon syrup! I’m here to tell you I have an easy, hands-off way to get the flavor of fresh watermelon into an infused fruit simple syrup that is bursting with the same juices you find in each bite of that perfect summer watermelon. If there is one thing you take away from […]
How to Make Chocolate-Infused Whiskey Like a Boss
Add that deep, rich flavor of dark chocolate to your cocktails with this fast and easy DIY chocolate-infused whiskey. With just two ingredients, your next cocktails will benefit from this chocolate-flavored whiskey as a way to add the bitterness and earthiness of chocolate without additional sugar (unless you decide you prefer it that way). Whiskey […]
Incredible Bourbon Limoncello Cocktail That’s Easy to Make at Home
I love an easy cocktail that takes advantage of bottles I already have open at home, and this Bourbon Limoncello cocktail makes a fast and refreshing flavor combination for great summer sipping. When I made my Limoncello Spritz last week, one thing I tried after I took the picture was adding a shot of bourbon […]
This Bourbon Buck Cocktail Transforms the Mule into a Bourbon Highball Worth Making
With just four easy ingredients, the Bourbon Buck cocktail is a fast and tasty summer drink for a refreshing hot weather sip. Made of just bourbon, citrus, simple and ginger ale, or ginger beer, it’s a sweet cocktail with a bite you can dial up or down by the ginger soda you use. I love […]
11 Delectable Two Ingredient Bourbon Cocktails – Easy Summer Cocktails Anyone Can Make
Spend time sipping with friends rather than behind your home bar making cocktails this season with these easy two ingredient bourbon cocktails for summer. While your bourbon fans may just want a bourbon on the rocks, the bourbon curious in your life will love you more if you add their whiskey to a mixer. There’s […]
Take Your Summer Drinks to 11 with This Popsicle-Topped Blueberry Bourbon Smash
This Blueberry Bourbon Smash ticks all the boxes for a summer bourbon cocktail for me. And yes, I did top it with a popsicle. Like white pants and shoes, Memorial Day means it’s time for popsicles in cocktails. It’s just my tradition, but I keep popsicles in cocktails as a strict summer-only tradition in my […]
Happy Hour Starts Early: Refreshing Limoncello Spritz
It’s the weekend before Memorial Day and I’ve got a fun and delicious Limoncello Spritz to help you celebrate a long weekend. I didn’t manage to make my own limoncello during citrus season earlier this year. It was on the list, but it didn’t happen. So I’m taking advantage of a bottle in my liquor […]