GSN Alert: June 14th – National Bourbon Day

Bourbon is the quintessential American spirit, and today is a today to celebrate it!  GSN is proud to share some classic bourbon cocktails from some of the great cocktail guides of the past 150 years.

Bourbon Crusta
2 ounces bourbon whiskey
1/2 ounce triple sec
1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
1/2 ounce lemon juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Garnish: Orange peel.
Shake with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Bourbon Milk Punch
1 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey
4 ounces milk
2 teaspoons simple syrup
2 dashes vanilla extract
Garnish: grated nutmeg
Shake vigorously with ice, strain into a brandy snifter or wine glass.

Commodore
2 ounces bourbon whiskey
3/4 ounce white crème de cacao
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 dash grenadine
Shake with ice. Strain into champagne flute.

Eastern Sour
2 ounces bourbon whiskey
1 1/2 ounces orange juice
1 ounce lime juice
1/4 ounce orgeat
1/4 ounce simple syrup
Garnish: Shell of the lime used for the fresh juice.
Shake with ice. Strain into an ice filled tumbler.

Lion’s Tail
2 ounces bourbon whiskey
1/2 ounce pimento dram
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 teaspoon simple syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Mint Julep
2 ounces bourbon whiskey
4 whole sprigs mint
2 teaspoons sugar
Garnish: Mint sprigs dusted with powdered sugar.
Muddle in a cocktail shaker until the sugar is dissolved and the mint is blended in. Add ice, and then shake well. Strain into a glass filled with shaved ice.

Seelbach
1 ounce bourbon whiskey
1/2 ounce Cointreau
7 dashes Angostura Bitters
7 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
5 ounces champagne
Garnish: Lemon twist.
Build in a champagne flute.

Suffering Bastard
1 ounce lime juice
4 ounces ginger ale
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 ounce bourbon whiskey
1 ounce gin
Garnish: mint sprig, orange wheel, and cherry.
Build in a rocks glass.

Ward 8
1 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce orange juice
1 teaspoon grenadine
Shake with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Whiskey Sour
2 ounces bourbon whiskey
1 ounce simple syrup
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1 teaspoon egg white (optional)
Shake with ice. Strain into a sour glass, or an ice filled Old Fashioned glass.

GSN Presents: Kentucky Derby Drinks by Mark Addison

Tradition goes a long way in the South and recipes are no laughing matter. Passed down from generation to generation, the sanctity of some recipes is often more carefully maintained than antebellum architecture and more heavily guarded than Fort Knox. So, you might think no recipe would be more revered and remain more rigidly unchanged than the official drink of the Kentucky Derby: The Mint Julep. But hold on to your fascinators! The bourbon-based iconic cocktail of “the most famous two minutes in sports” isn’t as sacred as you might think. As a matter of fact, from 2006 through 2015 the Mint Julep served at Louisville’s majestic Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May wasn’t even made with bourbon: it was made with Early Times Kentucky whiskey. Oh, the scandal!

As a horse-owner and lover, the Derby is especially thrilling for me. Each year I look forward to the race and have friends and family over for a proper viewing-party. I love a traditional Mint Julep but this year I’m serving my own frosted interpretation of the classic and surprising my guests with two new Julep-inspired drinks to keep them happy and hydrated as we kick-off the summer season in style. While my friends have to wait until Saturday, I’m giving you a head start — recipes included — so you can plan a Derby party of your own that is guaranteed to land you in the winner’s circle!

Frosted Julep­

Mint Juleps at the Derby are enjoyed over crushed ice, which is not easy to come by. This recipe creates a similar icy consistence without the hassle.  The mint syrup imparts a strong mint flavor the classic can sometimes lack.  The addition of brandy is a nod to President Teddy Roosevelt, who enjoyed Mint Juleps on the White House lawn served in these distinctive glass cups that resemble the pewter mugs of Churchill Downs tradition. 

Mark Addison Frosted Julep recipe

Louisville

Barrel-aged bourbon is the pride of Kentucky, the residents of which often claim its invention. This riff on the Manhattan uses a semi-dry white vermouth, a slightly sweet herbal liqueur, in place of the traditional red vermouth and the dashes of mint bitters are a hat tip to the classic julep.  If the Mint Julep and the Manhattan had a lovechild, it would be the Louisville…

Mark Addison Louisville recipe

Southern Sangria

To some Southerners, the julep is sacred as is, but in this recipe, I’ve switched it up and infused it with another point of Southern pride: peaches. Topped-off with Champagne, the delicious result is a sparkling cocktail that transcends its inspiration and is sure to become a new classic in the years to come.

About Mark Addison

Mark Addison’s entertaining expertise, along with his dynamic personal style, has made him a sought-after authority on cocktails and cutting-edge entertaining. His book, Cocktail Chameleon, features 144 signature re-interpretations of classic cocktails and was recently named “Best in the U.S.A. – Cocktail Book” by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. He has shared his ideas on, mixing signature cocktails and cooking for guests in more than 100 television appearances on national and regional TV shows as well as a being a regular contributor to print and on-line publications.

For the next three months we will be sharing recipes and ideas from Mr. Addison and we will be giving away a copy of his book (a $50 value) at the end of it.

To enter send an email to: goodspirits@frodelius.com with your contact information.

GSN Alert: May 2 & 3, 2014 – Kentucky Derby/Mint Julep Days

In honor of the 140th annual Kentucky Derby, Good Spirits News is proud to present a selection of variations on the classic Mint Julep cocktail for you to enjoy while cheering on your favorite race horse.

Maker’s Mark® Strawberry Julep
2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
2 fresh strawberries
1 part simple syrup*
6 mint leaves
1 part fresh lemon juice

Muddle strawberries, mint leaves and simple syrup in mixing glass. Add Maker’s Mark® and lemon juice and fill with ice. Shake well and double strain into a martini glass.

*Simple syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup distilled water

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Blackberry Mint Julep Margarita
Created by Gaston Martinez, Milagro Tequila Ambassador
2 parts Milagro Anejo
1 part Lime Juice
1 part Honey Syrup
5 Blackberries
6 Mint Leaves

Muddle berries and mint. Add rest, shake and strain over ice in julep glass. Garnish with blackberries and mint sprig.

Substituting the bourbon for Anejo tequila makes sense since we mature this tequila in used bourbon casks. The cask is a huge source of the flavor found in both spirits and will have many similarities. Salud!!!

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The Tullamore Dewlep
Created by Tullamore D.E.W National Brand Ambassador, Tim Herlihy
2 oz Tullamore D.E.W. Original
½ oz white vanilla sugar syrup
Dash peach bitters
12 mint leaves

Pour all ingredients into a cup. Gently muddle mint, fill with crushed ice and stir gently to combine garnish with a sprig of mint and straw (Requires use of Julep cup for maximum impact)

Kentucky and Ireland have a great deal in common. They both produce fine fiddlers, fine horses and fine whiskey. And, while musicians trade tunes and breeders trade horses, whiskey aficionados trade recipes – like this Irish twist on a Southern classic.

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Major Bailey
Created by Jon Santer
2 oz Hendrick’s Gin
1 Sugar cube
¼ oz simple
8 Leaves Mint

Muddle in julep glass. Top with crushed ice until a mountain peak of ice forms above the glass. Garnish with copious amounts of mint and a cucumber spear.

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Fort Julep
Created by Joaquin Simo, Pouring Ribbons
2 oz Lillet Rosé
1/2 oz Green Chartreuse

Glass: Julep (silver or pewter is traditional, but a steel cup will do nicely and a plain ole rocks glass works in a pinch)
Ice: Crushed
Garnish: Mint, lightly spanked before inserting.

Rub 2-3 mint leaves inside of julep cup, then discard leaves. Add Chartreuse & Lillet Rosé, fill midway with crushed ice, swizzle or stir to agitate and incorporate, then add more Crushed Ice. Top with spanked mint sprigs.

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Basil Hayden’s® Jockey’s Julep
Created by Rob Floyd (Los Angeles, CA)
2 parts Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon
8-10 Mint Leaves
8 Blueberries
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
3/4 parts Simple Syrup

Muddle mint leaves and blueberries in a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients and shake over ice. Fine strain into a rocks glass with crushed ice. Garnish with blueberries and a sprig of mint.

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Knob Creek® Storyville Julep
Recipe by Bobby “G” Gleason, Beam Master Mixologist
1½ parts Knob Creek® Bourbon
½ part Thin Honey Syrup (3 parts honey, 2 parts water)
1½ parts Fresh Pressed Pineapple Juice
6 Fresh Mint Leaves
Club Soda

Muddle pineapple, honey syrup and mint in a tall highball glass. Fill with ice, add Knob Creek® Bourbon and stir top with club soda. Garnish with a pineapple clip and mint top.