With the bang-up bourbon gold rush , America ’s native spirit has worked its way into cocktail usually reserved for the like of snare and vodka . Even the infamous mint julep was in the first place a brandy deglutition , made over with a penchant of the Bluegrass State . Recently , a issue of other non - bourbon cocktail have worked their way onto whisky bar menus , replacing their original spirits with the rich taste of bourbon .
You can use bourbon in place of Scotch
“ There are , like , a bajillion choice here . To Kentuckians , virtually anything is disposed to gain from a bourbon upgrade . Little tweak , like supervene upon rye whisky or Scotch with bourbon , can be majuscule . Consider a bourbon variation on the classic Blood and Sand – specially when a particular flavor visibility of bourbon is selected to complement the original recipe or establish . ”–Matthew Farley , Joy Luck and Gospel Bird
… or even as a perfectly legit substitute for gin
" One of my all - time favorites to sub bourbon into : the Pink Lady . In blank space of the knock rummy , I suggest choosing a lighter , more oaky , low - proof bourbon . It will marry well with the apple brandy , giving it a very declension - forward , apple - spice keystone . The maize lightens up the concoction , and the true grenadine will give it a Chuck Berry - forward pink hue . Egg ashen creates a ignitor , frothy mouthfeel . ”–Ashley Towning , potable director at Red Lane Jane
" A Negroni made with bourbon is called a Boulevardier . In this variant , the flavors all balance and play off one another really well . sweet-scented vermouth , Campari , and Bourbon dynasty sort of create this Venn diagram of flavor : the acrimony from the Campari ; the sweet , musty nip of the vermouth ; and the complexness of the Bourbon dynasty with vanilla extract and spice and oak . These flavor really work well together . “–Jeremy Salmon , lead bartender , Garage Bar
" It ’s operose to mess with the classic ! I ’m not trusted that I desire to be quoted suppose that this gin classic is better with Bourbon dynasty , but a Tom Collins variation with bourbon instead of gin is delightful , and enjoin regularly at our bars . With gin , the botanicals and herbal notes would mirror each other , but with bourbon , the raw sienna , vanilla , and drink Mrs. Henry Wood note would balance out the semisweet note of the Campari . ”–Susie Hoyt , Beverage Director at The Silver Dollar and The Pearl
Sara Norris/Thrillist
Remove the rum
“ A Hotel Nacional made with Bourbon dynasty – which I ’ve realize called a Kentucky National – is pure . Take a dead reckoning of bourbon and service it on the rock with really syrupy Luxardo cherry . Drink outside in the sun with tacos . High - proof bourbons work here , especially ones with caramel and broil spiciness notes that come through with the Angostura . ” –Eron Plevan , Copper & King
“ Go for a bourbon Mai Tai ! gross , fruity , semisweet finish , but the bourbon really adds an extra stratum of gaminess – even well if you require to judge it with a rye whiskey . ”–Celeste Downey , Angel ’s Envy
Better than brandy
“ I believe bourbon is an fantabulous substitute for brandy , since bourbon couplet so nicely with citrus . I really enjoy a Bourbon dynasty sidecar . ”–Todd Fluhr , Brendon ’s taking into custody 23
Void out vodka
“ It ’s not exactly reinvent the wheel , but good Bloody Marys are thoroughgoing candidates for bourbonizing . bet on the mix , high - rye , wheated , or smokier bourbons can all supply cracking layers of complexness to what is otherwise pretty stock menu . Scotch can do great work in the lieu of bore honest-to-god vodka in Bloody Marys , too . ”–Matthew Farley
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Negroni|Andy Kryza/Thrillist
Mai Tai|BonNontawat/Shutterstock
Cole Saladino/Thrillist
