The Best Spring Bourbon Cocktails for 2023

Warmer weather is the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing drink, but you don't want to drink the same old cocktail Many people default to drinking beer or wine when the weather gets warmer, but those can get old fast. So we've got you covered if you're looking for new and exciting whiskey cocktails.

It's time to start thinking about refreshing spring bourbon cocktails.

Your favorite classic bourbons aren't just for sipping neat or on the rocks. There are lots of delicious summer cocktails you can make with this spirit. If you're like most people, you love bourbon but don't always know what to do with it or where to start. Many people think that making a great cocktail is difficult, but that's only because they haven't tried our easy-to-follow recipes yet. You'll be able to make the most delicious easy bourbon cocktail you've ever tasted.

From classic favorite cocktails like the Whiskey Sour and Old Fashioned to new favorites like the Kentucky Derby and Apple Pie, we've got recipes for everyone. You can make a delicious spring or summer bourbon cocktail with just a few simple ingredients.

These recipes are perfect for warmer weather and add a little bit of excitement to your drinking routine. Bourbon is a classic liquor that pairs perfectly with fresh mint and orange slices, lime juice, and a splash of soda water. We've collected some of our favorite spring bourbon recipes so you can mix things up this season. These recipes are easy to follow and use ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store. Whether you're looking for something sweet or sour, we've got the perfect recipe.

Whiskey Sour Recipe

Whiskey Sour Ingredients

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 3/4 oz Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
• 1/2 oz Egg White (optional to produce a foamy head) 
• Garnish: Aromatic Bitters

Whiskey Sour Mixing Directions

• Add Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, and Egg White to a cocktail shaker and dry shake (shake without ice) for 30 seconds.
• Add ice and shake again until chilled (approximately 20 seconds)
• Strain in a chilled Coupe Glass
• Garnish with 3-4 drops of Aromatic Bitters
• Optional: Egg White can be replaced with a cocktail foamer or omitted altogether. 
• Optional: To serve over ice, strain into a rocks glass with a large ice sphere. 
• Pro-Tip: The added bitters will sit on top of the foamy head (if using Egg White or foamer). Use a Cocktail Pick to swirl the bitters around to make attractive designs. 

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Old Fashioned Recipe

Old Fashioned Ingredients

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 1 Sugar Cube
• 4-5 dashed of Aromatic Bitters
• 3-4 dashed of Water
• Garnish: Orange Slice or Orange Zest and Cocktail Cherry

Old Fashioned Mixing Directions

• Place sugar cube in a Rocks Glass and saturate with Bitters, add a few dashes of plain water.
• Muddle until dissolved.
• Fill the glass with ice and add Bourbon.
• Garnish with Orange Slice or Orange Zest, and a Cocktail Cherry

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Mint Julep Recipe

Mint Julep Ingredients

• 8 mint leaves
• 1/4 oz Simple Syrup
• 2 oz Bourbon
• Garnish: Mint Sprig
• Garnish: Aromatic Bitters (optional) 

Mint Julep Mixing Directions

• In a Julep Cup, muddle the Mint Leaves in the Simple Syrup. A Rocks Glass can be used in place of a Julep Cup.
• Add the Bourbon and fill the cup with Crushed Ice. 
• Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside.
• Top with more Crushed Ice until a mound forms above the top of the glass.
• Garnish with a Mint Sprig and 3-4 drops of bitters.

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Kentucky Spire Cocktail

Kentucky Spire Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Bourbon
• 2 oz Lemonade
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice
• Garnish: Lemon Zest

Kentucky Spire Mixing Directions

• Add ice to a Lowball Glass (we recommend a Clear Ice Sphere).
• Add Lemonade and Cranberry Juice and stir with a mixing spoon.
• Add Bourbon and stir with a mixing spoon until thoroughly mixed.
• Fill the glass with ice and add Bourbon.
• Garnish with a Lemon Zest.

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Sweet Tea Whiskey Smash

Sweet Tea Whiskey Smash Ingredients

• 1 oz Bourbon
• 1 oz Unsweetened Iced Tea
• 4 Mint Leaves
• 2 Lemon Wedges
• 1 tsp Strega (optional)
• 1 tsp Simple Syrup
• Garnish: Mint Sprig

**Note: Strega is a bright yellow Italian Liqueur made from saffron, mint, and juniper berries. Similar to adding Bitters to a cocktail, a teaspoon of Strega adds depth and flavor complexity to the Sweet Tea Whisky Smash cocktail. 

Sweet Tea Whiskey Smash Mixing Directions

• In a cocktail shaker, muddle Mint Leaves and Lemon Wedges.
• Add Bourbon, Tea, Strega, Simple Syrup, and ice to cocktail shaker and shake until chilled (Approximately 20 seconds)
• Strain into a chilled glass with fresh ice.
• Garnish with a fresh Mint Sprig.

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Peach Bourbon Smash

Peach Bourbon Smash Ingredients

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
• 4 Mint Leave
• 1 Peach (diced)
• Soda Water
• Garnish: Peach Slice, Mint Sprig

**Note: For a different taste, try substituting Simple Syrup for Maple Syrup.

Peach Bourbon Smash Mixing Directions

• In a cocktail shaker, muddle Mint Leaves, Peach, and Simple Syrup.
• Add Bourbon and ice to cocktail shaker and shake until chilled (Approximately 20 seconds)
• Strain into a chilled glass with fresh ice.
• Top off with Soda Water.
• Garnish with a slice of Peach and a fresh Mint Sprig

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Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

Bourbon Ginger Ingredients

• 1 oz Bourbon
• 1 oz Ginger Beer
• 1 oz Soda Water
• Garnish: Lime Wedge

Bourbon Ginger Mixing Directions

• In a chilled cocktail glass over ice, add Bourbon, Ginger Beer, and Soda Water.
• Mix with a mixing spoon (approximately 20 seconds)
• Garnish with Lime Wedge

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Blackberry Bourbon Sour

Blackberry Bourbon Sour Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Bourbon
• 1 oz Lemon Juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
• 5 Blackberries
• Garnish: 3 Blackberries

Blackberry Bourbon Sour Mixing Directions

• In a cocktail shaker, muddle Blackberries and Simple Syrup.
• Add Bourbon, Lemon Juice, and ice to cocktail shaker and shake until chilled (Approximately 20 seconds)
• Strain into a chilled rocks glass with fresh ice.
• Garnish with fresh Blackberries.

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Kentucky Sunshine Cocktail

Kentucky Sunshine Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Bourbon
• 3 oz Lemonade
• 3-4 dashes of Orange Bitters
• Garnish: Orange Slice

Related Reading: Cocktail Bitters 101

Kentucky Sunshine Mixing Directions

• In a chilled rocks glass over ice, add Bitters and Bourbon.
• Mix with a mixing spoon (approximately 10 seconds)
• Add Lemonade and stir for an additional 10 seconds
• Garnish with an Orange Slice

The truth is, bourbon is great any time of year. However, the warmer weather of spring brings us many fresh flavors that pair well with whiskey. Make sure you get outside with one of these great cocktails.