With the weather getting better, the thought of sitting outside with a nice cocktail just sounds glorious. So I had chat with everyone around here and decided to put together a list of some of our favourite American whiskey cocktails!

Kentucky Buck – w/ Maker’s Mark

A harvest of sweetness and spice with fresh strawberry, citrus, bourbon and ginger beer. Just right for right now, this buck gets its perfect kick from deliciously bold Maker’s Mark.

Ingredients

• 2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• 1/2 part fresh lemon juice
• 2–3 whole strawberries, hulled
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters
• Ginger beer
• Fresh strawberry for garnish

FORBIDDEN SOUR – w/ Elijah Craig

Take your whiskey sour to new heights with this Bourbon & Pomegranate cocktail.

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
• 1 oz. Pomegranate Flavored Liqueur
• .5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• .5 oz. Simple Syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

MINT JULEP – w/ Knob Creek

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ¹/₂ PARTS Knob Creek
• 2 BUNCHES mint
• 1 PART simple syrup
• 1 SPLASH soda

DIRECTIONS

• In a julep cup, mix the mint sprigs with simple syrup and a splash of soda.
• Add fine crushed ice and pour in the bourbon.
• Lift out two mint leaves for garnish.
• Add powdered sugar over mint to add an optional frosted appearance.

Handsome Devil – w/ Smooth Ambler

Ingredients

• 2 oz Old Scout American Whiskey
• .75 oz Lillet Blanc
• .75 oz Simple syrup (1 to 1)
• .50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 Dashes of Peach Bitters
• 3 Mint Leaves

Preparation

Combine all of the ingredients in an ice filled Boston Shaker. Shake thoroughly then double strain into a chilled rocks glass that is filled with ice. Garnish with a twist of Orange.

Sugar Shack – w/ WhistlePig

Ingredients

• 2 oz WhistlePig Rye Whiskey Aged 10 Years
• ¼ oz Maple Syrup
• ¾ oz fresh Lemon Juice
• ½ oz Blackberry Simple Syrup
• ¼ oz Pimento Dram or Allspice Dram
• 2 dashes Maple Bitters
• Star Anise for garnish

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a shaker.
• Add ice to the shaker.
• Shake.
• Fill your favorite tiki mug with pearl ice.
• Strain into mug.
• Garnish with star anise and your favorite tropical adornments.
• Enjoy!