Bourbon isn’t just for fireside nights — it shines just as bright under the summer sun. These cocktails are cool, zesty, and loaded with character, just like your favorite summer days. If you’re craving a flavor that doesn’t fade with the heat, this list of 14 summer bourbon cocktails is for you.
Bourbon Lemonade
Bourbon Lemonade is a refreshing and simple cocktail perfect for summer days. The combination of bourbon’s warmth and lemonade’s zest creates a delightful drink. It’s ideal for backyard gatherings or quiet evenings on the porch.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz fresh lemonade
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint (for garnish)
- Cocktail cherry (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 2 oz of bourbon over the ice.
- Add 4 oz of fresh lemonade.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and a cocktail cherry if you like.
For a fizzy twist, top the drink with soda water or ginger ale. This sparkling addition enhances the refreshing nature of the cocktail, providing a bubbly experience.
Enjoy Bourbon Lemonade as a versatile summer drink that suits any occasion.
Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is a classic summer bourbon cocktail. It’s cool, refreshing, and perfect for warm weather.
Ingredients:
- 4 to 5 fresh mint leaves
- 2 sugar cubes or 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 1/2 ounces bourbon
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
- Optional: a few drops of bitters
Instructions:
Muddle Mint and Sugar:
- In a julep cup or rocks glass, combine mint leaves and sugar cubes/syrup.
- Gently muddle to release mint oils.
Add Bourbon:
- Pour in bourbon.
- Stir the mixture well.
Add Ice:
- Pack the glass with crushed ice.
- Stir until the cup is frosted.
Garnish and Serve:
- Top with more ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and optional bitters.
- Enjoy your Mint Julep on a hot day.
This cocktail combines the sharpness of mint with the richness of bourbon. Perfect for cooling off.
Peach Bourbon Smash
The Peach Bourbon Smash is a refreshing cocktail for warm days. This drink combines sweet peaches with the smooth warmth of bourbon.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ripe peach, sliced
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 0.5 ounce simple syrup
- 0.75 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Crushed ice
- Ginger beer or seltzer (optional)
Instructions:
- Muddle peach slices and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. This releases their flavors.
- Add bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled.
- Strain mix into a glass filled with crushed ice.
- Top with ginger beer or seltzer for a fizzy touch.
- Garnish with a peach slice and mint sprig.
This cocktail is fruity and cooling. It’s great for sipping during summer gatherings. Adjust the sweetness by changing the amount of simple syrup. For a stronger mint taste, add more mint leaves. Enjoy this delightful blend of flavors as a summer treat.
Bourbon Sweet Tea
Bourbon Sweet Tea is a refreshing summer drink that combines classic Southern charm with a kick of bourbon.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups water
- 4 tea bags
- 1 cup sugar
- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- Fresh mint leaves
- Ice
Instructions:
- Bring water to a boil.
- Add tea bags and brew for 4 minutes. Remove tea bags.
- Combine sugar, ginger, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Heat until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens. Strain and cool.
- In a large pitcher, combine brewed tea and syrup.
- Add bourbon and stir. Taste and adjust sweetness.
- Serve over ice. Garnish with mint.
This drink is best enjoyed on a warm afternoon. Stirring in bourbon gives it richness and depth. Adjust the sweetness to suit your taste. If you like your tea with more zip, try adding a splash of citrus bitters. Enjoy your Bourbon Sweet Tea with friends at picnics or barbecues.
Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade is a refreshing cocktail for summer. The blend of juicy blackberries and rich bourbon creates a perfect harmony.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 3-4 fresh Blackberries
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- Ice
- Lemon slice and mint for garnish
Instructions:
- Muddle the blackberries in a glass.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir the mixture well.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and mint.
This cocktail balances sweet and tangy flavors. The muddled blackberries infuse with bourbon, offering a pleasant taste. Enjoy this drink at your next summer gathering.
Bourbon Rickey
The Bourbon Rickey is a refreshing cocktail. It offers a light and zesty experience perfect for summer. This drink is easy to make with just a few ingredients.
Here’s how you can create your own Bourbon Rickey:
- Ice: Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice.
- Lime: Half a lime, squeezed into the glass. Drop the lime half in.
- Bourbon: Add 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon.
- Club Soda: Top up the glass with club soda.
- Stir: Mix the ingredients briefly to combine.
Enjoy the Bourbon Rickey on a hot day. It’s a classic choice with a citrus punch. Ideal for those who appreciate a simple yet flavorful beverage.
Kentucky Mule
The Kentucky Mule is a refreshing summer cocktail featuring bourbon. This twist on the classic Moscow Mule brings a unique depth with its whiskey base.
To make a Kentucky Mule, you’ll need a few ingredients:
- 2 ounces of bourbon
- 3 ounces of ginger beer
- Half a lime
Start by filling a copper mug or a highball glass with ice. This helps keep your drink cold.
Next, pour in 2 ounces of bourbon. The bourbon’s rich, smoky flavor pairs well with the spice of ginger beer.
Squeeze half a lime into the mug. Lime juice adds a refreshing zing.
Finally, top off the drink with 3 ounces of ginger beer. Stir gently to blend the flavors.
Garnish with a lime wheel or a sprig of mint if desired. This adds a fresh aroma to your drink.
Enjoy the perfect mix of spicy, sweet, and sour notes. The Kentucky Mule is a great choice for a warm day.
Bourbon Sour
Bourbon Sour is a classic cocktail that’s perfect for summer. This refreshing drink combines the boldness of bourbon with zesty citrus flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- A dash of bitters
- Ice
- Lemon wedge (for garnish)
- Cherry (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine ingredients: Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice: Fill the shaker with ice, then shake until it’s cold.
- Serve: Strain the mix into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish: Add a lemon wedge or a cherry on top.
The balance of sweet and sour enhances the bourbon’s rich flavors. Try experimenting with peach or ginger syrup for a twist. Enjoy your Bourbon Sour on a warm summer day!
Watermelon Bourbon Cooler
The Watermelon Bourbon Cooler captures the essence of summer in a glass. This cocktail combines the boldness of bourbon with juicy watermelon. Here’s how you can enjoy this refreshing drink.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Tropicana Watermelon Juice
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 0.5 oz mint syrup
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Prepare the Watermelon: Start with fresh watermelon. Remove the rind and slice it into small pieces.
- Mixing: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add bourbon, Tropicana Watermelon Juice, lime juice, and mint syrup.
- Shake: Secure the shaker lid. Shake well for about 20 seconds to mix.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into a glass. Use the entire contents to ensure full flavor.
- Garnish: Add fresh mint leaves on top. This gives a pleasant aroma and visual appeal.
This cocktail is both smooth and flavorful, making it a delightful choice for warm days. Enjoy!
Cherry Bourbon Smash
The Cherry Bourbon Smash is a refreshing drink perfect for summer. It combines the rich flavors of bourbon with the sweetness of cherries and a hint of citrus.
Ingredients
- Bourbon: 2 ounces
- Fresh cherries: 4-6, pitted
- Lemon wedges: 2
- Simple syrup: 0.5 ounce
- Ice cubes: to fill shaker
- Ginger beer or 7-Up: splash for topping
- Cherry and lemon twist: for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cherries and lemon wedges with simple syrup.
- Add bourbon and a handful of ice cubes.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Top with ginger beer or 7-Up.
- Garnish with a cherry and lemon twist.
Strawberry Bourbon Fizz
Discover the refreshing Strawberry Bourbon Fizz! This cocktail blends sweet and tangy flavors. The main ingredients are fresh strawberries and smooth bourbon.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 5 fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
- Ice
- Strawberry slices for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle strawberries in a shaker.
- Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and bourbon.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain into an ice-filled glass.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with strawberry slices.
Bourbon Arnold Palmer
A Bourbon Arnold Palmer offers a refreshing twist on a classic beverage. Mixing iced tea and lemonade with bourbon creates a delightful summer drink. This cocktail combines sweetness and tanginess.
Ingredients you need:
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- Equal parts lemonade and iced tea
- Lemon wedge for garnish
- Fresh mint sprig for garnish
Instructions to follow:
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon.
- Pour in equal parts lemonade and iced tea.
- Stir well to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of mint.
Honey Mint Bourbon Iced Tea
To make Honey Mint Bourbon Iced Tea, start by gathering your ingredients. Enjoy this refreshing summer cocktail.
You’ll need:
- 2-3 fresh mint leaves
- 2 oz bourbon sour mash whiskey
- 1 oz honey simple syrup
- 4 oz Arnold Palmer lemonade and tea blend
- Medium ice cubes
Instructions:
- Muddle mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice cubes over the mint.
- Pour in the bourbon, honey simple syrup, and tea blend.
- Shake the mixture well.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Blueberry Bourbon Smash
The Blueberry Bourbon Smash is a refreshing cocktail perfect for summer. This drink combines the vibrant flavors of fresh blueberries and the warmth of bourbon.
To make this cocktail, you will need a few simple ingredients:
- 2/3 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce blueberry simple syrup
- Club soda or ginger beer
- Mint leaves
Instructions:
- Muddle blueberries and mint leaves together in a shaker or sturdy glass. This releases their juices and natural oils.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the muddled mixture.
- Fill the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
Top your cocktail with club soda or ginger beer for a fizzy twist. This enhances the flavors. Finally, garnish with mint sprigs or more blueberries.
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