Bourbon Mixes: 10 Must-Try Mixed Drinks Recipes

After a long day, sometimes nothing hits the spot quite like a well-crafted mixed drink. And there's no spirit more versatile and comforting than bourbon. With its rich history and diverse flavor profile, bourbon lends itself beautifully to a wide range of cocktails, from classic to innovative. Let's delve into the world of mixed drinks with bourbon, exploring its rich heritage and showcasing delightful recipes you can concoct at home.

Bourbon, America's native spirit, has been integral to the country's cocktail culture since the 18th century. It's uniquely American, with strict regulations governing its production - it must be made from a mash bill of at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, and distilled to no more than 160 proof. This results in a spirit with a sweet, smooth, and complex flavor, making it an excellent base for mixed drinks.

Classic Bourbon Cocktails

The beauty of bourbon lies in its compatibility with a myriad of flavors. It shines in classic cocktails, some of which have stood the test of time for over a century.

Classic bourbon cocktails often feature a balance of sweet, sour, and spirit, allowing the finesse and richness of bourbon to shine. Here are two iconic examples:

The Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is the grandfather of cocktails, simple and unadorned. It's the purest celebration of bourbon's own flavors, with just a touch of sweetness and bitterness to enhance it.

**Ingredients:**

• 2 oz bourbon
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 1 sugar cube or 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Orange peel and cherry for garnish

*Rub the sugar cube around the rim of a rocks glass, add bitters, and muddle. Add bourbon and fill the glass with ice. Stir well and garnish with an orange peel and cherry.*

The Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is a juicy, tangy delight that's easy to whip up. It's the perfect sweet-tart accompaniment to a summer afternoon or a cozy night in.

**Ingredients:**

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• Egg white (optional)
• Lemon wheel and cherry for garnish

*Shake all ingredients (except garnish) with ice. If using egg white, dry shake first before adding ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry.*

Modern Bourbon Cocktails

But bourbon isn't stuck in the past. It's an adaptable spirit that plays well with a wide range of ingredients, as demonstrated in these contemporary cocktails.

Modern bourbon cocktails often feature unexpected ingredients, pushing boundaries without losing sight of bourbon's star role.

The Spicy Jalapeño Margarita

Trade tequila for bourbon and add a spicy kick to the classic margarita. This cocktail is a perfect blend of sweet, sour, and spicy, with a bourbon backbone that gives it depth and complexity.

**Ingredients:**

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz agave nectar
• 1-2 thin slices of jalapeño, depending on heat preference
• Salt for rimming (optional)

*Muddle jalapeño slices in a shaker. Add bourbon, lime juice, and agave nectar. Shake with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Rim the glass with salt if desired.*

The Smoky Date Old Fashioned

This riff on the classic Old Fashioned adds smoky depth and rich sweetness with the addition of a date-mole syrup. It's like a smoky, spicy, sweet hug in a glass.

**Ingredients:**

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz date-mole syrup (recipe below)
• 2 dashes of smoked fenugreek bitters
• Orange peel and smoked salt for garnish

*Rub the rim of a rocks glass with the smoked salt. Add date-mole syrup, bourbon, and bitters. Fill the glass with ice and stir well. Garnish with an orange peel.*

*For the date-mole syrup, combine 1 cup pitted dates, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp molasses, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Blend until smooth and let it cool before using.*

Whether you're a bourbon aficionado or a curious cocktail enthusiast, there's always more to explore in the world of mixed drinks with bourbon. So, raise a glass, clink ice cubes, and sip your way through this delightful journey. Cheers!