Food and Drink Cocktails + Spirits Celebrate National Bourbon Day With These 9 Cocktail Recipes (Video) These bourbon cocktails are perfect for summer. By Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes Instagram Twitter Website Elizabeth Rhodes is an associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on June 12, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email National Bourbon Day is just around the corner on June 14, and what better way to celebrate the American whiskey than by mixing up a few bourbon cocktails? When it comes to bourbon cocktails, your mind might immediately jump to mint juleps and the Kentucky Derby, but this spirit is surprisingly versatile, perfect for a wide range of concoctions ideal for the warmer weather. Ninety-five percent of the world’s bourbon comes from Kentucky, where there are over nine million barrels of bourbon aging — that equates to about two barrels for every person living in the state. You might not be able to tour every famous distillery along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail this year (many distilleries temporarily closed to guests amid the COVID-19 pandemic), but you can become your own bartender and mix up some summery drinks or create a DIY bourbon tasting at home. Courtesy of Woodford Reserve Here are nine easy bourbon cocktail recipes from Woodford Reserve, Longbranch, and other popular bourbon brands that you can craft this weekend and beyond. Consider this your virtual trip to the Bluegrass State. More cocktail ideas 1. Bourbon and Soda Courtesy of Woodford Reserve Ingredients: 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon WhiskeySoda water Directions: Add bourbon to a Collins glass. Fill with soda water, and top with ice and garnish with an orange slice. 2. Bourbon Legend Ingredients: 1.5 parts Longbranch bourbon0.5 part Grand Marnier0.5 part simple syrup0.75 part lemon juice Directions: Shake all the ingredients together and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. 3. Woodford Thoroughbred Courtesy of Woodford Reserve Ingredients: 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon WhiskeyGinger beer Directions: Add bourbon to a Collins glass, and fill with ginger beer. Top with ice and garnish with lime wheel. 4. Bourbon Whiskey Sour Ingredients: 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey0.5 oz. simple syrup0.75 oz. fresh lemon juice0.25 oz. egg white or aquafaba Directions: Shake egg white in a cocktail shaker. Add bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice, and shake vigorously. Strain over ice block, and garnish with a dash of Angostura bitters and a lemon peel twist. 13 Rum Cocktails That Are Basically a Beach Vacation in a Glass 5. Bourbon Whiskey Strawberry Smash Courtesy of Cutwater Ingredients: 2 oz. Cutwater Black Skimmer Bourbon Whiskey0.75 oz. fresh lemon juice0.75 oz. simple syrup5 to 6 mint leaves3 slices strawberry Directions: Muddle strawberries and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake with ice until cold. Strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and a strawberry. 6. Woodford Porch Swing Ingredients: 1.5 oz: Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey0.75 oz. lemon juice0.5 oz. honey6 oz. peach tea Directions: Combine ingredients in a tall glass and stir. Garnish with a slice of peach or lemon. 7. High West Le Bouvier Courtesy of High West Ingredients: 1 oz. High West American Prairie Bourbon0.75 oz. cognac0.5 oz. yellow Chartreuse0.5 oz. fino sherry Directions: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with cubed ice until chilled, then strain with a julep strainer into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist wrapped around brandied cherries. 8. Hot to Trot Ingredients: 1.5 parts Longbranch bourbon0.5 part Grand Marnier1 part ruby red grapefruit juice0.5 part honey syrup1 orange wedge (squeeze and discard) Directions: Shake all the ingredients together and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a grapefruit peel. 9. Cutwater Bourbon Whiskey Gold Rush Courtesy of Cutwater Ingredients: 2 oz. Cutwater Black Skimmer Bourbon Whiskey0.75 oz. fresh lemon juice0.75 oz. fresh honey syrup Directions: Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, and add ice. Shake until cold, and strain over fresh ice. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit