Drinks

40 of the South’s Best Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

Knockout cocktail recipes to celebrate the South’s favorite spirit

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Third Man Cocktail
Grapefruit, Campari, and bourbon come together in the perfect summertime sipper.
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Third Man Cocktail

Grapefruit, Campari, and bourbon come together in the perfect summertime sipper.

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Photo: Johnny Autry

Bourbon-and-Coke Slushy
A frozen, boozy treat from Atlanta, Georgia.
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Bourbon-and-Coke Slushy

A frozen, boozy treat from Atlanta, Georgia.

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Photo: Mia Yakel

A Two-Ingredient Old-Fashioned
A South Carolina bar gives the classic cocktail a European twist.
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A Two-Ingredient Old-Fashioned

A South Carolina bar gives the classic cocktail a European twist.

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Photo: Cameron Wilder

Colorado Cool-Aid
Bourbon, beer, and amaro mingle in a frosty cocktail perfect for summer.
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Colorado Cool-Aid

Bourbon, beer, and amaro mingle in a frosty cocktail perfect for summer.

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Photo: Johnny Autry

The Manhattan
The name is from New York, but the whiskey is all Southern.
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The Manhattan

The name is from New York, but the whiskey is all Southern.

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Photo: Jacqueline Stofsick

Charleston Brown Water Society Punch
A bourbon party punch from the Holy City.
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Charleston Brown Water Society Punch

A bourbon party punch from the Holy City.

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Photo: Peter Frank Edwards

A Carnival Cocktail Fit for a King
This bold blend of bourbon and blackberry hails from the birthplace of brunch.
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A Carnival Cocktail Fit for a King

This bold blend of bourbon and blackberry hails from the birthplace of brunch.

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Photo: Sam Hanna

Touchdown Tea
Energizing green tea, bourbon, and lemon from the lead bartender at Virgin Hotels New Orleans.
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Touchdown Tea

Energizing green tea, bourbon, and lemon from the lead bartender at Virgin Hotels New Orleans.

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Photo: Katherine Kimball

Mint Julep Slush
Definitive proof that bourbon and ice belong together.
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Mint Julep Slush

Definitive proof that bourbon and ice belong together.

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Photo: Margaret Houston

The Evening Edition
A bourbon-and-coffee cocktail from Saint Leo Lounge in Oxford, Mississippi.
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The Evening Edition

A bourbon-and-coffee cocktail from Saint Leo Lounge in Oxford, Mississippi.

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Photo: Courtesy of Saint Leo Lounge

Martha Stewart’s Batched Mint Juleps
When life gives you seventeen lemons, throw a party.
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Martha Stewart’s Batched Mint Juleps

When life gives you seventeen lemons, throw a party.

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Photo: Dana Gallagher

Winner’s Circle
An effervescent bourbon cocktail with a floral twist that’s anything but ordinary.
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Winner’s Circle

An effervescent bourbon cocktail with a floral twist that’s anything but ordinary.

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Photo: Jessica Ebelhar

Boulevardier
The drink is simply a Negroni that replaces gin with bourbon, which brings sweetness and oaky spice.
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Boulevardier

The drink is simply a Negroni that replaces gin with bourbon, which brings sweetness and oaky spice.

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Photo: Jacqueline Stofsick

The Commonwealth
Kentucky’s Ale-8-One gets the cocktail treatment.
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The Commonwealth

Kentucky’s Ale-8-One gets the cocktail treatment.

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Photo: Margaret Houston

Sip Your Baklava
A new Nashville hotspot celebrates the Middle Eastern dessert—in cocktail form.
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Sip Your Baklava

A new Nashville hotspot celebrates the Middle Eastern dessert—in cocktail form.

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Photo: Courtesy of Red Pebbles Hospitality

Humble Baron Smokehouse Bloody
The mixologist at Nearest Green Distillery dares to get saucy.
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Humble Baron Smokehouse Bloody

The mixologist at Nearest Green Distillery dares to get saucy.

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Photo: Courtesy of Humble Baron

Summery Garden Old-Fashioned
Herbs, peaches, and bourbon come together in this riff on an old-fashioned.
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Summery Garden Old-Fashioned

Herbs, peaches, and bourbon come together in this riff on an old-fashioned.

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Photo: Margaret Houston

Pecan Pie Martini
The ultimate fall dessert drink from Dancing Bear Lodge.
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Pecan Pie Martini

The ultimate fall dessert drink from Dancing Bear Lodge.

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Photo: Courtesy of Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

The Queen Bee
This spring tipple combines bourbon with an easy-to-make thyme-honey syrup and amontillado sherry.
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The Queen Bee

This spring tipple combines bourbon with an easy-to-make thyme-honey syrup and amontillado sherry.

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Photo: Mia Yakel

Boulevardier Meets Negroni in the Dad’s Counsel
A fatherly wisdom–inspired cocktail that chooses not to choose.
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Boulevardier Meets Negroni in the Dad’s Counsel

A fatherly wisdom–inspired cocktail that chooses not to choose.

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Photo: Simon Davidson

Bourbon & Coke
This “reengineered” version of the classic Southern concoction uses a Coca-Cola syrup to lightly flavor a shot of bourbon.
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Bourbon & Coke

This “reengineered” version of the classic Southern concoction uses a Coca-Cola syrup to lightly flavor a shot of bourbon.

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Photo: Johnny Autry

The Old-Fashioned
This variation on the classic comes courtesy of 610 Magnolia, a New American bistro located in the heart of historic Old Louisville.
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The Old-Fashioned

This variation on the classic comes courtesy of 610 Magnolia, a New American bistro located in the heart of historic Old Louisville.

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Photo: Johnny Autry

Shelby Drink Your Juice
A Steel Magnolias–themed cocktail for all the Shelbys out there—and Clairees, Truvys, Ouisers, Annelles, and M’Lynns.
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Shelby Drink Your Juice

Steel Magnolias–themed cocktail for all the Shelbys out there—and Clairees, Truvys, Ouisers, Annelles, and M’Lynns.

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Photo: Courtesy of North of Bourbon

New-Fashioned
A sophisticated yet approachable bourbon cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion.
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New-Fashioned

A sophisticated yet approachable bourbon cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion.

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Photo: Jessica Ebelhar

The Ramblin’ Man
The Silver Dollar in Louisville, Kentucky warmly embraces its bluegrass home in this locally sourced libation made with homemade honey syrup.
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The Ramblin’ Man

The Silver Dollar in Louisville, Kentucky warmly embraces its bluegrass home in this locally sourced libation made with homemade honey syrup.

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Bourbon “Tea”
St. Germain, ginger ale, and simple syrup make for a race-day cocktail that goes down easy.
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Bourbon “Tea”

St. Germain, ginger ale, and simple syrup make for a race-day cocktail that goes down easy.

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Photo: Margaret Houston

The Good Dog
Here’s to your trusty new companion.
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The Good Dog

Here’s to your trusty new companion.

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Photo: Steve Russell

A Jazzed-Up Hot Toddy
The Listening Room in Nashville brings back live music and hot drinks to warm up Music City.
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A Jazzed-Up Hot Toddy

The Listening Room in Nashville brings back live music and hot drinks to warm up Music City.

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Photo: Courtesy of the Listening Room

Holy Muscadine Sour
Basil, orange bitters, and muscadine join bourbon for a musky, herbal cocktail from chef Dean Neff.
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Holy Muscadine Sour

Basil, orange bitters, and muscadine join bourbon for a musky, herbal cocktail from chef Dean Neff.

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Photo: Andrew Sherman

Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch
A velveteen sipper from New Orleans, this easy-to-make frozen concoction makes for a tasty grown-up dessert.
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Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch

A velveteen sipper from New Orleans, this easy-to-make frozen concoction makes for a tasty grown-up dessert.

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Photo: Alison Gootee

Satsuma Whiskey Cider
A smooth-sipping fall cocktail.
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Satsuma Whiskey Cider

A smooth-sipping fall cocktail.

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Photo: Timothy Pakron

Strawberry Fizz Cocktail
A celebratory sip from Joe Stinchcomb of Saint Leo Lounge in Oxford, Mississippi.
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Strawberry Fizz Cocktail

A celebratory sip from Joe Stinchcomb of Saint Leo Lounge in Oxford, Mississippi.

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Photo: Johnny Autry | Food Styling by Charlotte Autry

G&G Anniversary Punch
Bourbon’s spiciness stands up to the other ingredients—some of which can be, frankly, a little bossy—in this G&G signature punch.
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G&G Anniversary Punch

Bourbon’s spiciness stands up to the other ingredients—some of which can be, frankly, a little bossy—in this G&G signature punch.

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Photo: Johnny Autry

Bourbon and Ginger
Georgia chef Hugh Acheson is behind this elevated take on a classic gameday cocktail. Make the ginger syrup a day ahead for an easy tote to the tailgate.
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Bourbon and Ginger

Georgia chef Hugh Acheson is behind this elevated take on a classic gameday cocktail. Make the ginger syrup a day ahead for an easy tote to the tailgate.

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Photo: Margaret Houston

Full Sail
A perfect balance of sweet and spicy that’s ideal for summer gatherings.
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Full Sail

A perfect balance of sweet and spicy that’s ideal for summer gatherings.

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Photo: Jessica Ebelhar

Breakfast at George’s
Go beyond the standard coffee cocktail with this recipe from Tristan Ferchl of the Catahoula Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Breakfast at George’s

Go beyond the standard coffee cocktail with this recipe from Tristan Ferchl of the Catahoula Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Photo: Johnny Autry

Stone Fence Sour
An updated take on the drink that quenched colonial America.
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Stone Fence Sour

An updated take on the drink that quenched colonial America.

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Photo: Julie Soefer

Sweet Texas Tea
Sweet-tea syrup, lemon, mint, and a healthy pour of bourbon make for a potent take on the South’s quencher of choice.
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Sweet Texas Tea

Sweet-tea syrup, lemon, mint, and a healthy pour of bourbon make for a potent take on the South’s quencher of choice.

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Photo: Johnny Autry

Paper Plane
Take flight with this herbaceous treat from the Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
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Paper Plane

Take flight with this herbaceous treat from the Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

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Photo: Jessica Ebelhar

Kentucky Mulep
Louisville’s bar Vetti blends two classic bourbon pairings into one winning drink.
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Kentucky Mulep

Louisville’s bar Vetti blends two classic bourbon pairings into one winning drink.

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Photo: Jessica Fey