The Only 18 Bourbon Cocktails You Need

This appreciation started with occasional dalliances and was piqued in 2016. That’s when we experienced a tour at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Since then, our bourbon interest has continued to grow, inspired by the barrel-aged bourbons we’ve sipped in bars as far away as France and Thailand.

We’ve also imbibed more than a few bourbon drinks stateside in cities like New Orleans (on Bourbon Street), New York, Philadelphia and, more recently, Tucson. But we don’t just drink bourbon at bars.

We now have a number of bourbons in our home bar that we enjoy drinking both on the rocks and in cocktails. In fact, our love for bourbon blossomed into a burgeoning passion once we started crafting cocktails at home. We have no intention of stopping any time soon.

Apparently, we’re not alone. Bourbon has become ridiculously popular over the last 20 years with some rare bottles selling for exorbitant prices ranging from hundreds to many thousands of dollars.

The thing is, unless you’re a serious collector or have lots of money to spend, you don’t have to break your bank account to enjoy good bourbon. Instead, you can buy affordable bottles from Kentucky bourbon producers like Buffalo Trace, Bulleit and Four Roses, which is exactly what we do.

What Is Bourbon?

As the saying goes: all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. But what does that mean? In simple terms, bourbon is an American style of whiskey with distinct characteristics related to where and how it’s produced.

For starters, bourbon must be produced in the United States. While it doesn’t technically need to be produced in Kentucky, that’s the American state that produces most of the country’s (and therefore the world’s) bourbon.

Bourbon has to include a mash that’s at least 51% corn. It has to be aged in new charred oak barrels and bottled with a minimum 80 proof. The result is magic that starts in a bottle and ends in the glass.

Those are the facts. And, while facts are great, the best way to experience the deliciousness that is bourbon is to taste the spirit neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water or in a cocktail. We usually go the cocktail route and add a couple Luxardo maraschino cherries for good measure.

3. Boulevardier

Negroni crafted with bourbon instead of gin. It combines bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth to create a cocktail that you'll want to sip all night long.

What is bourbon?

Bourbon is American whiskey that’s distilled with corn and aged in new charred oak barrels.

How is bourbon different from whiskey?

Bourbon is a type of whiskey. Unlike other whiskeys, bourbon’s mash must be at least 51% corn and the spirit must be aged in new charred oak barrels. Bourbon must also be produced in the United States.

Where is bourbon produced?

All bourbon is produced in the United States, primarily (but not exclusively) in the State of Kentucky in adherence to the country’s strict bourbon rules.

What are the bourbon rules?

Bourbon rules specify how whiskey must be distilled and aged. These rules include using at least 51% corn, aging in new charred oak barrels and achieving a proof no less than 80 when bottled.

What are the different ways to drink bourbon?

Bourbon can be imbibed in different ways including neat (with nothing added), on the rocks (with ice cubes), with a splash of water and in cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Whiskey Sour.

Who makes the best bourbon?

Selecting the best bourbon is subjective and depends on both budget and intended usage. Notable bourbon brands include Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Knob Creek, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Old Forester, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve.

What is the most popular bourbon cocktail?

The Old Fashioned is the most popular bourbon cocktail and one of the most popular cocktails in the world. Its simple recipe includes bourbon (or rye), Angostura bitters, a jumbo ice cube and an orange twist.

Is bourbon expensive?

Unless you’re looking to buy Buffalo Trace’s super expensive Old Rip Van Winkle bourbon, bourbon bottle prices run the gamut from affordable to luxury.