4 Whiskey and Bourbon Cocktails

Everyday Food

Get 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