Now, you can get away with just a cold beer in a pinch. But, a little flair, spice and even fruit goes down just as easy.
To that end, we turn mixologists from Bourbon masters Basil Hayden, Four Roses and Maker’s Mark for some cold summer grilling cocktails.
Basil Hayden’s Refund Spice
Created by Marie Zahn (Louisville, KY)
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
- 1 tsp. Honey Syrup
- 1 tsp. Raspberry Vinegar
- Grapefruit Soda
Preparation: Add Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, honey syrup and raspberry vinegar over ice in a Collins glass and stir. Top with grapefruit soda. Garnish with a grapefruit peel.
Honey Syrup Ingredients: 1 cup Honey, 1 cup Water
Preparation: In a small saucepan, heat the honey and water. Stir until fully incorporated, then let cool and refrigerate.
Cocktail by Jordan Spence of Bella Notte (Lexington, KY)
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz House made lavender simple syrup
- 8-10 large Chocolate Mint Leaves
- 2 dashes of Bitter Truth Orange bitters
- 1 Amarene Cherry Burnt orange peel
- 1.5 oz Four Roses Single Barrel
- Chipped Ice
- Candied Mint Leaves Lavender Flower garnish
Preparation: In a julep glass combine lavender syrup, mint leaves, bitters amarene cherry and burnt orange peel. Muddle all ingredients.
Add chipped ice and Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon. Garnish with candied mint leaves and a lavender flower.
Lavender Simple Syrup Ingredients: 8 cups water, 8 cups sugar. 1/2 cup dried lavender, Candied Mint garnish. 2 egg whites beaten until frothy.
Preparation: Dip mint leaves and lavender in egg whites then roll them lightly in caster’s (superfine sugar). If unable to find casters sugar, use granulated sugar in a food processor. Let mint leaves and lavender sit until hardened.
Maker’s Mark Strawberry Julep
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
- 2 fresh strawberries
- 1 part simple syrup
- 6 mint leaves
- 1 part fresh lemon juice
Preparation: Muddle strawberries, mint leaves and simple syrup in mixing glass. Add Maker’s Mark and lemon juice and fill with ice.
Shake well and double strain into a martini glass.
