Bourbon Whiskey
An American whiskey made primarily from corn and aged in charred oak barrels. Known for its sweet, vanilla, and caramel notes. It’s used in 28 cocktails on Garnish.
Flavor Profile
History & Origins
Developed in Kentucky in the late 18th century, bourbon became America's native spirit and the backbone of classic American cocktails.
How It's Made
Distilled from a mash containing at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels.
Pro Tips
- •100-proof bourbon works well in stirred cocktails
- •Let bourbon breathe before mixing for better flavor integration
- •Higher corn content = sweeter profile
Substitutes
Recommended Brands
Cocktails
Old Fashioned
The primordial cocktail—whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water—showcasing the base spirit in its purest, most aromatic form.
Brown Derby
A quintessential cocktail of Hollywood's Golden Age that perfectly balances the robust spice of bourbon with the tart brightness of fresh grapefruit juice, all seamlessly bridged by the floral sweetness of honey. This deceptively simple yet remarkably complex drink embodies the glamour and lore of 1930s Los Angeles.
New York Sour
Whiskey sour crowned with a red wine float—bourbon or rye, lemon, and simple with a claret cap.
Whiskey Sour
A timeless blend of whiskey, lemon, and sugar shaken silky with egg white—template for the entire sour family.
Gold Rush
Bourbon, honey, and lemon. A honey-sweetened whiskey sour that's become a modern classic.
Mint Julep
A Southern staple of bourbon, sugar, and mint served in an icy silver cup—official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Paper Plane
Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro, and lemon. A modern equal-parts cocktail with perfect balance.
Amaretto Sour
Jeffrey Morgenthaler's modernized sour builds cask-strength bourbon into amaretto, lemon and rich syrup for a silky, nutty treat.
Boulevardier
A whiskey-laced cousin of the Negroni that blends bold American bourbon with bitter Campari and sweet vermouth for a warming, ruby-hued sipper.
Equal-Parts Boulevardier
A classic ratio—equal parts bourbon (or rye), Campari, and sweet vermouth stirred and served up or on a rock.
Black Boulevardier
A modern evolution of the Boulevardier with added Amaro Averna—bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth, and dark herbal complexity.
Kentucky Mule
Bourbon buck—bourbon, lime, and spicy ginger beer over ice in a frosty copper mug.
Bourbon Bastard
A bourbon-centric interpretation of the classic Suffering Bastard, a legendary hangover cure born in World War II Cairo. This potent and restorative cocktail balances bourbon, gin, lime, bitters, and ginger beer in a complex interplay of spirits and refreshing elements.
Southern John Daly
A masterful evolution of the John Daly, substituting bourbon for vodka and adding fresh mint to create a complex, deeply American cocktail that celebrates Southern staples.
Boston Sour
A whiskey sour with a silky crown—bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup shaken with egg white for a classic foam.
French 95
Bourbon bubbles—whiskey, lemon, and sugar topped with brut Champagne for a richer French 75 variant.
John Collins
The bourbon take on the 19th‑century gin punch from Limmer's Old House—spirit, lemon, sugar and sparkling water built tall and fizzy.
Ginger Gold Rush
A spicier Gold Rush—bourbon shaken with ginger‑honey syrup and lemon.
Dying Bastard
Amped Suffering Bastard—gin and brandy with added bourbon, lime, bitters, and ginger beer.
Colonel Collins
A bourbon Collins—whiskey, lemon, and sugar lengthened with soda over ice.
Dead Bastard
The boozy apex—Suffering Bastard with added bourbon and rum, lime, bitters, and ginger beer.
Champagne Julep
An elegant sparkling variation of the classic mint julep, combining bourbon with champagne for a refined, celebratory cocktail.
Whiskey Smash
A quintessential American cocktail that marks a pivotal point in mixed drink evolution. This vibrant and refreshing libation bridges the Mint Julep and Whiskey Sour, embodying 19th-century innovation with its masterful balance of sweet, sour, and strong, elevated by the aromatic lift of fresh mint.
Texas Tea
The bigger, bolder, bourbon-fueled cousin of the Long Island Iced Tea. With six spirits and a fresh sour mix, it epitomizes the 'everything is bigger in Texas' philosophy while maintaining surprising balance when crafted with quality ingredients.
Whiskey Buck
A foundational cocktail that marries the robust character of whiskey with the spicy effervescence of ginger beer and bright citrus acidity. This versatile and enduring template showcases the spirit's complexity while remaining refreshingly accessible.
Equal Parts MacElhone (Boulevardier)
A rich and sophisticated sibling to the Negroni, the Boulevardier swaps gin for the warmth of whiskey, creating a timeless cocktail that embodies the spirit of 1920s Paris.
Hot Gold Rush
The warm incarnation of the modern classic, the Gold Rush, a sophisticated and comforting toddy with bourbon, honey, and lemon.
Joe Rickey
A foundational American highball, born from the sweltering political climate of late 19th-century Washington D.C., combining American whiskey, fresh lime, and sparkling water.