Bourbon Whiskey
An American whiskey made primarily from corn and aged in charred oak barrels. Known for its sweet, vanilla, and caramel notes.
45%
ABV
70
Cal/oz
8
Cocktails
spirit
Category
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 with Bourbon Whiskey
Discover cocktails that showcase this ingredient
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.
Gold Rush
Bourbon, honey, and lemon. A honey-sweetened whiskey sour that's become a modern classic.
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.
Mint Julep
A Southern staple of bourbon, sugar, and mint served in an icy silver cup—official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Old Fashioned
The primordial cocktail—whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water—showcasing the base spirit in its purest, most aromatic form.
Paper Plane
Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro, and lemon. A modern equal-parts cocktail with perfect balance.
Whiskey Sour
A timeless blend of whiskey, lemon, and sugar shaken silky with egg white—template for the entire sour family.