YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    4 Whiskey and Bourbon Cocktails

    Sour Cherry Old-FashionedGet whisked away by a refreshing cocktail made with whiskey or bourbon.

    Sour Cherry Old-Fashioned

    Get whisked away by a refreshing cocktail made with whiskey or bourbon. The alcohol works in summery cocktails such as the classic mint julep, or in more autumnal fare such as the maple bourbon cocktail. The punch of sour cherries counters the rich oak flavor from the whiskey.

    Ingredients
    24 frozen sour cherries
    1/2 cup water
    3/4 cup whiskey
    1/3 cup sugar
    1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons kirsch
    Thin lemon-zest strips (from 1 lemon)

    Directions
    1. Place cherries in a heatproof bowl. Stir water and sugar in small saucepan to dissolve sugar. Bring to a boil, and pour over cherries. Let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
    2. Drain cherries, reserving syrup. Thread 4 cherries onto each of 6 skewers. Make 3 drinks at a time: Pour 6 tablespoons whiskey, 3 tablespoons kirsch, and 4 1/2 teaspoons reserved syrup in a cocktail shaker 3/4 filled with ice. Shake and pour into chilled glasses. Garnish each with a skewer and 2 to 3 strips lemon zest. Repeat for the second batch.


    Plus: Tequila Time! 19 Tequila Cocktails


    Sazerac
    This New Orleans cocktail traditionally uses rye whiskey. If you can't find it, try a good-quality bourbon.

    Ingredients
    Ice
    2 teaspoons sugar
    2 teaspoons water
    4 ounces rye whiskey
    8 dashes bitters (preferably Peychaud's)
    2 teaspoons anise-flavored liqueur, such as Herbsaint or Pernod
    Lemon twists

    Directions
    1. Fill two rocks glasses with ice to chill. In a third glass or cocktail shaker, stir together sugar and water until sugar dissolves. Add rye whiskey, bitters, and ice. Stir until chilled.
    2. Discard ice from glasses and add 1 teaspoon anise-flavored liqueur to each. Swirl to coat bottom and sides of glasses with liqueur, then pour off extra. Strain rye mixture into glasses and garnish with lemon twists.

    The Presbyterian

    Making this traditional cocktail is simple

    Ingredients
    2 ounces whiskey or Bourbon
    2 ounces club soda
    2 ounces ginger ale
    2 dashes Angostura bitters

    Directions

    1. Fill a highball glass with ice. Add whiskey, club soda, ginger ale, and bitters. Stir and serve.

    Bourbon and Ginger This drink combines bourbon whiskey with effervescent ginger ale to create a refreshing beverage that matches well with a number of appetizers and snacks.

    Ingredients
    4 ounces bourbon
    4 glasses filled with ice
    1 can (12 ounces) ginger ale
    4 lime wedges

    Directions

    1. Divide bourbon among 4 glasses filled with ice. Divide ginger ale among glasses and squeeze 1 lime wedge into each. Serve immediately.

    More on MarthaStewart.com:
    14 Winter Cocktails We Love

    Dinner Tonight: 86 Meatless Recipes
    18 Champagne and Sparkling Wine Cocktails

    27 Easy Party Foods

    Loading...

    SUPPER CLUB PICK

    FEATURED RECIPE

    • Blackberry Cornmeal Cake
      Blackberry Cornmeal Cake

      You can substitute an equal amount of fresh blueberries for the blackberries; be sure to rinse and dry them thoroughly before scattering over the batter.

      Yellow cornmeal produces a dessert that has a rich, golden color, but you could use white cornmeal instead.