Bourbon drink recipes

Ingredients:

• 2 oz spicy bourbon (I prefer buffalo trace)
• 2 bar spoons (about 1/4 oz) homemade lavender and rosemary infused simple syrup
• A few drops of orange bitters (Most recipes call for dashes, but I prefer just a few drops from a dropper)
• Luxardo cherry with a splash of its juice
• Orange peel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Infused Simple Syrup:
   • Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of granulated sugar, a handful of fresh lavender, and a sprig of rosemary in a saucepan.
   • Simmer over low heat until the sugar dissolves, and the herbs infuse the syrup (about 5-7 minutes).
   • Allow the syrup to cool, then strain out the lavender and rosemary.
2. Build the Cocktail:
   • In a rocks glass, add the spicy bourbon, 2 bar spoons of lavender-rosemary infused simple syrup, and a few drops of orange bitters.
   • Fill the glass with ice and stir well to chill the ingredients and dilute the mixture slightly.
3. Garnish:
   • Add a Luxardo cherry to the glass.
   • Express the oil from an orange peel over the drink by giving it a twist over the glass and then drop it in.
4. Enjoy:
   • Sip and savor the aromatic and spicy notes of the bourbon, complemented by the floral and herbal accents from the lavender and rosemary. The touch of orange bitters and Luxardo cherry, along with the orange peel, add a delightful complexity to this simplified yet refined Old Fashioned. Cheers!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey (Historically made with rye, but I prefer bourbon)
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 4-6 drops Angostura bitters  (Most recipes call for dashes, but I prefer just a few drops from a dropper)
• Luxardo cherry, for garnish

Crafting the Elixir:

1. Chill the Glass: Begin by chilling a martini or coupe glass, either with ice or a brief stint in the freezer.
2. Assemble the Blend: In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz of bourbon or rye whiskey, 1 oz of sweet vermouth, and 4-6 drops of Angostura bitters.
3. Stir and Strain: Stir the mixture well with ice, ensuring a perfect melding of flavors. Strain it into your chilled glass.
4. Final Touch: Garnish your concoction with a Luxardo cherry, adding a subtle sweetness to the mix.

Sip and Savor:Imbibe slowly, relishing the meticulously balanced medley of bourbon or rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and the aromatic touch of Angostura bitters. Each sip unfolds a chapter in the story of this timeless Classic Bourbon Manhattan. Cheers to simplicity and sophistication! 

(Disclaimer: Ok, I know this isn't a bourbon recipe, but the sazerac is So good I had to include it.)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1/2 oz homemade simple syrup (historically a sugar cube is used but I prefer simple syrup)
• 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
• Absinthe or Absinthe substitute
• Lemon peel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Homemade Simple Syrup:
   • Combine equal parts water and granulated sugar in a saucepan.
   • Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
   • Remove from heat and let it cool. Bottle and store in the refrigerator.
2. Chill the Glass:
   • Begin by chilling an old-fashioned glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.
3. Mix the Sazerac:
   • In a separate mixing glass, combine 2 oz of rye whiskey, 1/2 oz of the homemade simple syrup, and 3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters.
4. Stir and Strain:
   • Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir well, ensuring the ingredients are thoroughly chilled and properly diluted.
   • Discard the ice from the chilled old-fashioned glass.
5. Absinthe Rinse:
   • Add a small amount of absinthe or absinthe substitute to the glass, swirling it around to coat the interior. Discard any excess. (You could also use an atomizer spray bottle to coat the inside of the glass) 
6. Final Assembly:
   • Strain the impeccably mixed whiskey concoction from the mixing glass into the prepared old-fashioned glass.
7. Garnish:
   • Express the vibrant oils from a lemon peel over the drink by giving it a twist above the glass.
   • Optionally, run the peel along the rim for an added citrus aroma.
   • Drop the lemon peel into the glass as a final garnish.
8. Sip and Savor:
   • Enjoy the rich and aromatic symphony of this classic New Orleans cocktail. The marriage of rye, bitters, and a hint of anise from the absinthe is now elegantly balanced with the subtle sweetness of a perfectly measured 1/2 oz of homemade simple syrup. Cheers to your perfectly balanced Sazerac!

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz homemade mint-infused simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves
• Crushed ice

Homemade Mint-Infused Simple Syrup:

1. Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add fresh mint leaves, remove from heat, and let it steep. Strain before use.

Instructions:

1. Muddle and Mix:
   • In a silver or pewter cup, muddle fresh mint leaves with 1/2 oz homemade mint-infused simple syrup.
   • Add 2 1/2 oz bourbon to the muddled mint and simple syrup.
2. Stir and Serve:
   • Fill the cup with crushed ice and stir well to combine and chill the mixture.
3. Garnish:
   • Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
4. Sip and Savor:
   • Enjoy the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the refreshing Mint Julep!