Every summer about this time I start to feel just a little bit of melancholy. A little bit of the summertime blues. Don’t get me wrong. I love summer, but as I lounge by the pool sipping something light and fruity I can’t help but feel like I’m missing something. Some important part of my life that’s either been misplaced or somehow forgotten. But what could that something be I wonder as I lazily swirl the pisco in my punch or rumble the rocks in my rum-filled tumbler. That’s when it finally hits me. I miss bourbon! Summer bourbon cocktails – is that an oxymoron?
Well I intend to find out.
Bourbon is not the first spirit I reach for when I’m craving a lazy poolside cocktail. For some reason, I associate dark spirits like bourbon with cooler weather. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, the Mint Julep is an icy bit of bourbon perfection served in a silver chalice. In many parts of the South, it’s a summertime cocktail dream come true. So I think I’ll update my own wish list to include a summer bourbon cocktail of my own design. I’ll toss in some mint as a nod to the season, but I’ll save the silver chalice for those infamous Derby Days.
Summer Bourbon Cocktail
So where do I start? How about sangria? The sweet-tart combination of sangria’s berries and citrus is something we all associate with summer. That, however, is where the association ends. Wine is nice, but I want a summer bourbon cocktail – and bourbon loves berries. So I’ll pull out my muddle and add a little honey syrup to the mint and berries. I’ll build the summer bourbon cocktail I’m craving.
Now all my summer bourbon cocktail needs is a name. Hey… how about Summer Bourbon Cocktail? GREG
Honey syrup can be made by mixing equal parts honey and hot water in a jar. Shake to combine.
Ingredients
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 4 fresh raspberries
- ¼ fresh lime (cut into 2 wedges)
- ½ ounce honey syrup (see note)
- 3 ounce bourbon
- 1 ounce red berry juice (such as raspberry, cranberry, or pomegranate)
- 1 sprig fresh mint (as garnish)
Directions
Place one extra large ice cube or three medium ice cubes into a double old-fashioned glass; set aside.
Place mint leaves, raspberries, limes wedges, and honey syrup into a cocktail shaker. Use a cocktail muddler or the wrong end of a wooden spoon to break up the ingredients. Muddle until pulpy.
Add enough medium ice cubes to nearly fill the shaker; pour in bourbon and berry juice. Cover, shake and strain through a fine mesh sieve into the prepared glass. Garnish with mint sprig.
This color of bourbon is matching with the color of shirt I have worn today. Summer feels like hell and having this refreshing bourbon is just super perfect. Loved it!
My mouth is watering just reading this and looking at the pics. Now that that the weather is getting hotter, this sounds like perfect comfort drink after a long day.
This sounds perfect!!
My feeling is this: there isn’t a bad time for bourbon.
I know what you mean about not drinking that much bourbon during the summer — it seems time for gin, tequila, and rum, doesn’t it? I know a couple of Tiki drinks that have bourbon in them, but most summer drinks don’t use it. Pity, ’cause it’s such good stuff. Love the color of this — it’s amazing! As is the flavor, I’ll bet. Thanks!