13 Best Summer Bourbon Cocktails

Summer Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

The traditional Kentucky Derby drink, the mint julep, is a classic bourbon cocktail that’s traditionally made with just four ingredients: fresh mint, bourbon, simple syrup, and crushed ice.

Grab a julep cup or a rocks glass, and lightly bruise the mint leaves in the simple syrup. Pour in a couple of ounces of your favorite bourbon and fill the glass with crushed ice before stirring. 

A fresh mint sprig makes a great garnish, and you could also add a drop or two of Angostura bitters or Angostura orange bitters to taste.

While the classic Moscow mule recipe is based on vodka, you can tailor the recipe to give it a taste of the American South by switching it for your preferred bourbon. Alongside your bottle of bourbon, you’ll need some ginger beer, lime juice, and a fresh mint sprig for garnish.

A copper mug is the drinking vessel of choice for the Kentucky mule, as it helps the drink keep its temperature, although a highball glass will work too. 

Simply add the lime juice, the bourbon, and some ice to your chosen receptacle, then top up with ginger beer and garnish with the mint.

A reimagining of the classic whiskey sour, the forbidden sour also incorporates a pomegranate liqueur into the recipe for extra summer flavors. Add equal parts of bourbon and pomegranate liqueur to an ice-filled cocktail shaker with a half-ounce measure of both lime juice and simple syrup and shake to chill. 

You can opt to add a couple of drops of Angostura bitters and then garnish with cherries and an orange slice or wheel.

The sweet and tart flavors of cherry and lemon in this summer bourbon cocktail are great for refreshing both you and your palate at your next summer barbecue. In addition to the bourbon, you’ll need a handful of cherries, some mint leaves, lemons, simple syrup, and some fresh ice.

Muddle together the simple syrup, lemon wedges, mint, and cherries in the bottom of your cocktail shaker, then pour in the bourbon and add a few ice cubes. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass, and prepare to be refreshed!

For some, summer’s not summer unless they’re sipping on an Aperol-infused cocktail to beat the heat. The Italian bitter apéritif features flavors from rhubarb and edible flowers, and its bright orange color adds vibrancy as well as flavor.

Also calling for Amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur, this summer bourbon cocktail will transport you to the Amalfi Coast as you enjoy its Mediterranean flavors. Simply combine the Italian liqueurs with the bourbon and some lemon juice in a shaker, then strain into a long-stemmed cocktail glass garnished with lemon peel.

By adding an extra fruity flavor to a traditional whiskey sour, you can make it even more enjoyable for the summer months. The New York bourbon sour is essentially a whiskey sour with a float of red wine, adding an elegant finish.

The sweetness of the bourbon makes for a great summer drink, but if you prefer, you could opt to use a slightly spicier rye whiskey instead.

The mere mention of these aptly-named summer bourbon cocktails is enough to start the cooling process on a hot day. Simple to make, you start by mixing together fresh orange and an orange liqueur for a sweet-and-sour base, then simply add in the bourbon and ginger ale.

A gold rush is one of the simple summer bourbon cocktails to make and is another riff on the whiskey sour template. In addition to the bourbon, you’ll just need a couple more ingredients: honey and lemon juice. The first step is to snake up some honey syrup. Then you’ll shake that together with the bourbon and lemon juice and pour it into rocks glasses.

For a fruitier sour cocktail, you can introduce some summer berries to the mix. Fruity summer bourbon cocktails are always a crowd-pleaser, and you’ll add the fruit burst with some fresh blackberries. 

Add muddled blackberries, lemon juice, orange juice, and some rosemary to your cocktail shaker, then pour in the bourbon and simple syrup. Strain into a glass over ice, garnish and enjoy.

Citrus fruits often work well in whiskey cocktails, especially during the summer season. The sour-yet-sweet flavor of grapefruit juice works well with the sweet bourbon, and the strawberry simple puree adds summery vibes to ensure you’ll be drinking these all season long.

You’ll also need some grapefruit bitters, lemon juice, and a sprig of sage to use as a garnish.

Southern sweet tea is a popular drink to help you cool down in the height of summer, and these summer bourbon cocktails are a spiked version. Using sweet tea as its base, the recipe for these bourbon cocktails also calls for limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur.

First, add the bourbon and limoncello to an old-fashioned glass, then add in the sweet iced tea and some ice cubes.

You don’t need to be Canadian to believe the best summer bourbon cocktails need the smoky flavors of maple syrup. One sip of these bourbon cocktails will have you convinced. 

Grab your trusty bottle of bourbon, some mint, a lemon, and a bottle of maple syrup, and mix everything together in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice, and add a splash of club soda.

A Rickey is a highball drink made from gin or bourbon, lime juice, and club soda or soda water. But forget the gin for now, and add bourbon to an ice-filled highball glass with half a lime squeezed into it, then top up with the club soda. Simples.

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