We admit to enjoying light fruity, frothy, fresh summer cocktails, so you could knock us over with an eyelash when we found out the secret ingredient in these delicious drinks is…bourbon. BOURBON?
Bourbon isn’t exactly the lightest of liquors. Tasty, yes, but also fuerte, as in strong and often smokey, oaky flavored. We remember sneaking into the pantry and sampling the “bourbon balls” Mom made special for adult cocktail parties. Even then our as yet uneducated palates could tell that bourbon had a hefty kick to it. Hey, that’s why we were sneaking them!
As it turns out, the folks at Four Roses Bourbon have concocted a mellow and perfectly balanced small batch bourbon, in which four original bourbon recipes have been expertly selected and mixed by a master distiller at the peak of maturation to create a smooth bourbon that lends itself to drinking solo or mixing.
Sure, they sent us a bottle, along with mixers and recipes, so yes, we tried them all—several times—and found them perfect for a midsummer night’s dream drink.
We were also surprised with how tasty the bourbon is when mixed with ginger beer, lime, and yes, even jalapeño! (Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it). At the top of our list of fresh summer cocktails that will surprise you is the Kentucky Mule, partially for its ease of preparation and limited number of ingredients.
“You can’t go wrong serving the popular Moscow Mule to your guests, but when you want to add depth to your cocktail menu go with a Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Mule,” says New Jersey cocktail expert Celeste Dittamo. “Barritt’s is my top choice for Ginger Beer. The natural spice flavor without any sugary mouth feel also pairs well with the Four Roses Small Batch palate of honey, spice, toasty oak and fruit notes. This recipe is a game changer.”
It certainly was a game changer for us. Now everyone in the neighborhood just happens to drop by right about cocktail hour, which is getting earlier as the days grow warmer. It’s okay. We’re happy to share, and you will be too just as soon as you find out how popular…er…satisfying these fresh summer cocktails can be.
5 Fresh Summer Cocktails That Will Surprise You
KENTUCKY MULE
INGREDIENTS
2 fl. oz. Four Roses Small Batch
4 fl. oz. Barritt’s Ginger Beer
2 Lime Wedges
DIRECTIONS:
Squeeze one lime wedge and pour Bourbon into a Mule mug or Collins glass. Fill with ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with second lime wedge.
SWEET + SPICY
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ fl. oz. Four Roses Small Batch
6 slices of strawberries
2-3 slices Jalapeno (remove seeds for less spice
½ fl. oz Lime Juice
3 fl. oz. Barritt’s Ginger Beer
Spicy BBQ Rub (as garnish)
SPICE LEVEL: 2/3
DIRECTIONS
Use lime to wet half the rim of a Collins glass, then dip rim in spicy BBQ seasoning/rub. Squeeze a quarter of the lime into the glass. Add sliced strawberries, 2-3 sliced jalapenos, and muddle. Add Four Roses Small Batch, ice, and a small pour of ginger beer, then give a quick stir. Add more ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with jalapeno slices and lime wheel (strawberry slice optional).
NOTES: When choosing a rub, look for peppers and sugar in the ingredients and opt for one with thicker granules for the best, most flavorful rim. For fewer fruit chunks, shake ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, then strain over fresh ice.
BERRY REFRESHING
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ fl. oz. Four Roses Small Batch
¾ fl. oz. Lemon Juice
5 Raspberries
½ fl. oz. Agave Syrup
3 fl. oz. Barritt’s Ginger Beer
1 Mint sprig
DIRECTIONS
In a glass, muddle 4 raspberries with agave syrup. Add the rest of the ingredients and ice, stir. Top with ginger beer and stir briefly to incorporate. Garnish with a mint sprig and a raspberry.
TROPICAL SUNSET
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ fl. oz. Four Roses Small Batch
6 dice-size chunks Pineapple
1-2 slices Habanero (remove seeds for less spice)
½ fl. oz. Lime Juice
3 fl. oz Barritt’s Ginger Beer
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
SPICE LEVEL: 2/3
DIRECTIONS
In a shaker, muddle the pineapple and habanero. Add the Bourbon, lime juice, and ice and shake briefly (about 4 seconds). Open the shaker and add 2 oz ginger beer to the cocktail in the shaker. Strain all contents into a glass with ice. Top with 1 oz ginger beer. Float 2 dashes of Angostura over the drink and garnish with a lime wedge.
THE BEE STING
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ fl. Oz. Four Roses Small Batch
½ fl. Oz. Lemon Juice
½ fl. Oz. Honey
3 fl. Oz. Barritt’s Ginger Beer
4 Blackberries (at max ripeness, more if not ripe)
2 pinches Black Pepper
SPICE LEVEL: 1/3
DIRECTIONS
Combine honey, blackberries and black pepper in a glass, muddle. Add the lemon juice, bourbon and ice to the glass. Top with ginger beer and give a short stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge, three blackberries on a cocktail pick, and a sprinkle ofblack pepper
These fresh summer cocktails contain lime, ginger beer, and a few heavy hitting surprises that you’ll just have to taste to believe.