The Intoxicologist

Baker’s Bourbon became a fast favorite bourbon earlier this year due to its wonderful display of vanilla and caramel notes.  My preferred way of enjoying Baker’s is with a single cube left to melt idly in the glass while the bourbon warms to room temperature again.  Savoring the full warmth of this one increases the enjoyment in my opinion.  The texture remains smooth as silk, full and rich, warm and supple. 

Kentucky Sparkler – created by The Intoxicologist

1 part Baker’s Bourbon

1/4 part Simple Syrup

1/4 part Lemon Juice

3 drops Orange Bitters

1-1/2 part Zipang Sparkling Sake

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine Baker’s Bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice and orange bitters in a mixing glass with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Top with 1-1/2 part Zipang Sparkling Sake.  Garnish with lemon twist. 

After searching through bourbon recipes I came across the Ginza cocktail that uses ordinary sake within the cocktail.  The Ginza inspired the Kentucky Sparkler.  This cocktail reduces the ratio of bourbon due to Baker’s higher proof, but fully utilizes its flavor.  This version also takes full advantage of newer Zipang Sparkling Sake seen on the market turning this drink recipe into a celebration style cocktail when the need arises.   The addition of bitters adds depth of character and a hint of spicy flair. 

Bourbon Cocktail Recipes - Top 10 Classic Cocktails - Drink Recipes & Photos

Kentucky Cowhand - Maker’s Mark Bourbon Drink Recipes

Bourbon Drink Recipes - Knob Creek Bourbon Drink Recipes - Basil Hayden’s Bourbon Drink Recipes

Hitting the Maker’s Mark: Hangman’s Noose - Gekkeikan Sake Drink Recipes

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Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

Maker’s Mark Bourbon carries off as a rather hearty bourbon, dark in color with rich, deep flavor.  There are subtle cherry tones with chocolate filtering in between hints of orange and possibly a fraction of apricot peel.  At 90 proof there is surprisingly little burn.  The maker hit his mark right on target with this American Spirit.

Hangman’s Noose – created by The Intoxicologist

1-1/4 ounce Maker’s Mark Bourbon

1/2 ounce Godiva Liqueur Original

1/4 ounce Sweet Vermouth

Place ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.  Shake to chill.  Strain into an old fashioned cocktail glass.

The Hangman’s Noose plays up the characteristics of Maker’s Mark Bourbon with a bit of cinnamon and chocolate shine coming through without dominating the original spirit.  Surprisingly not too sweet.  Vermouth helps add a little balance while bringing our more spice.  This makes a great Halloween drink recipe due to the name or holiday cocktail due its classic style. 

Bourbon Cocktail Recipes - Top 10 Classic Cocktails - Drink Recipes & Photos

Kentucky Cowhand - Maker’s Mark Bourbon Drink Recipes

Bourbon Drink Recipes - Knob Creek Bourbon Drink Recipes - Basil Hayden’s Bourbon Drink Recipes

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

As I sit sipping a Buffalo Trace Manhattan looking at a nearly empty bottle with Bourbon Heritage Month almost over the thought that keeps skipping through my head…thank goodness Buffalo Trace Bourbon is available locally.  Not quite nationwide, but they’re working on it I hear.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon’s aroma is a little dry with a hint of cherry, orange and suggestion of cinnamon.  Possibly a wee bit of vanilla.  Not sugary, but not the slightest insinuation of bitterness either.  Come to think of it, the longer Buffalo Trace Bourbon sits in the glass the more aroma of clove comes to the forefront.  The flavor comes across highly sophisticated yet not pretentious or overwhelming.  The flavors meld in such a way that each is distinct without overtaking the other.  Buffalo Trace Bourbon comes together in perfect harmony, ideally balanced, beautifully blended.  This bourbon no doubt has been crafted to satisfy the palate of cutting edge bourbon enthusiasts and seasoned consumers alike. 

Bourbon is often consumed straight, on the rocks or with a single ice cube, but in this day and age when cocktails reign supreme and classic drinks have come full circle in popular culture, it makes sense to shake things up a bit and pull a little Buffalo Trace Bourbon into the mix.

Brighton Punch – Difford’s Guide #7

1-1/2 parts Courvoisier Cognac

1-1/2 parts Buffalo Trace Bourbon

1-1/2 parts Benediction D.O.M. Liqueur

2-1/2 parts Pineapple Juice

2 parts Lemon Juice

Pineapple Wedge & Cherry Garnish

Combine all liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. 

As recommended in Difford’s Guild #7, I halved the recipe and served it straight up.  Brighton Punch has very pinapple-ish notes with small amount of Benedictine follow through.  Buffalo Trace only shows through in the warming effect.  However, this would definitely make a wonderful holiday cocktail party punch served over ice.  Definite sipper with a lemony tart bite that isn’t overbearing.  An additional note: When a cocktail is just too large to savor cold for the duration of sipping at a comfortable pace, serve half of the cocktail in a sidecar.  Keep the sidecar in a small container of ice to keep the cocktail vessel chilled without watering down the liquid refreshment.

Because sometimes we want our bourbon cocktails and stay lower calorie - so men will watch our girlish figures and we won’t have to…

Wentworth Teenie – adapted by The Intoxicologist

1 part Buffalo Trace Bourbon

1 part Dubonnet Red

1 part Ocean Spray Light Cranberry Juice

Orange Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with orange twist. 

The Wentworth cocktail was created by Sharon Cooper at Harvest Restaurant in Pomfret, Connecticut, according to Difford’s Guide #7.  Difford’s Guide is a great cocktail resource by the way.  Pick one up if you don’t have it.  The original recipe calls for regular cranberry juice.  One substitution of Light Cranberry juice turns the table on this cocktail making it a lower calorie cocktail of approximately 116 calories.  The flavor is lush and rich, so flavor hasn’t given up in the substitution.  Beautiful and complex, yet easily sippable.  Vermouth stars, but Buffalo Trace Bourbon definitely carries the weight in this luxuriant cocktail.

By the way, that Buffalo Trace Manhattan I’m sipping on:

Buffalo Manhattan via Omaha – Intoxicologist version

1-1/2 ounce Buffalo Trace Bourbon

1/4 ounce Rye Whiskey

1/2 ounce Carpano Antica Formula

Dash Peychaud’s Bitters

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice.  Stir.  Strain into old fashioned martini glass.  Sip for an extended period of time.  It’s still fabulous as it warms.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to sample Buffalo Trace Bourbon, do so.  Try it at the corner bar or take the plunge and order it online if it isn’t available locally.  This bourbon is worth the wait, worth the order, worth the trip to the store.  It has terrific heritage behind the brand with many more classic to contemporary recipes to choose from should your palate drive you beyond the herd to try something a little cocktail diverse.

           ·          Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

           ·          Top 10 Classic Cocktails

           ·          Buffalo Trace Bourbon Recipes

           ·          Drink Recipes & Photos by category including Bourbon

Apple Trace Teenie - Brainstorm - B-B52 - Frisco Kid - Muddled Old Fashioned

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

A tall, cool refreshing bourbon cocktail doesn’t have to mean drowning the spirit in cola or adding a splash of water (unless that is your preference of course)!  A few simple additions can put a swing in your step without putting a dent in the bourbon flavor.   Bourbon Sling comes across as a nice and refreshing bourbon sipper.  It sure beats unsweetened tea any day!  Southern Comfort adds just a hint of inspiration to the mix, but could be tweaked just a little more for ‘umph’.  The drink is great ‘as is’ for quenching thirst on a hot day or chilling out after a long day’s work. 

Bourbon Sling

2-1/2 parts Jim Beam Black

1/2 part Southern Comfort

1/2 part Lemon Juice

2 parts Club Soda

Lemon Wedge Garnish

Combine Jim Beam Black, Southern Comfort and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend.  Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice.  Top with club soda.  Garnish with lemon wedge.

·         Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

·         Drink Recipes & Photos by category

·         Low Calorie Bourbon Recipe: Jim’s Peach Fuzz

·         Knob Creek Bourbon Drink Recipes

·         Red Stag by Jim Beam Drink Recipes

·         Red Stag by Jim Beam & Lunazul Tequila are Bucking the System

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

Beware the name, but more wary of the high proof on this cocktail.  Old Fitzgerald Bourbon is 100 proof but tasted great in this bourbon recipe.  Nice mellow orange tones with quite a bit of vermouth shine.  Not too sweet.  Bourbon as base spirit runs deep in this sipping cocktail.  The glow reminds me of a beautiful sunset just before it fades.  Just as one would sit leisurely and enjoy a glorious sunset, relax and take in the full pleasure of Deadly Sin in a laid-back, easy going manner. 

Deadly Sin – The Bartender’s Best Friend, Mardee Haidin Regan

Adapted from Rafael Ballesteros, Spain

2 ounces Bourbon (Old Fitzgerald)

1/3 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/4 ounce Maraschino Liqueur

Dash Orange Bitters

Orange Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with a fresh orange twist. 

·         Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

·         Evan Williams Bourbon: Kentucky First

·         Drink Recipes & Photos by category

·         Sexy Bourbon Cocktail: Stiletto

·         Bourbon Classic Cocktail: Blinker

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved