5 Whiskey Cocktails to Try This Summer

Whiskey has a reputation for being a perfect cold-weather liquor. But mixed the right way, whiskey also makes the perfect summertime beachside beverage or pool deck dram. Jim Beam has a variety of bourbon styles to complement the recipes below.

THE WHISKEY SOUR

The Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, and a little simple syrup or sugar. Some people serve it creamy by adding uncooked egg white. When adding egg white, be sure to keep it from touching the outside of the shell when cracking,

To maintain the authenticity of this classic drink, we keep it simple with Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

To make a Whiskey Sour, you’ll need:

2 parts Jim Beam bourbon
3/4 parts lemon juice, freshly squeezed
½ part simple syrup
1/2 part egg white (optional)
Angostura bitters to garnish

Add the Jim Beam, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, if using, to a shaker cup. If you include the egg white, dry-shake (without ice) for 30 seconds to break down the egg protein, and get the white nice and frothy.

Next, add ice to the shaker cup, and shake again until well-chilled. Strain into a coupe glass or a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a few drops of bitters, and voila!

THE MINT JULEP

The Mint Julep is as Kentucky as bourbon, racehorses, and fried chicken. It’s sweet, minty, smooth, and refreshing. A staple at the Kentucky Derby, it’s taken off all over the US as a sort of American-style mojito.

Be like one of those fancy people in the stands at Churchill Downs by mixing the deeply rich Jim Beam Double Oak in your mint julep. Jim Beam Double Oak is aged twice in two separate charred oak barrels for an even richer taste.

To make a Mint Julep, you’ll need:

2.5 parts Jim Beam Double Oak
4 to 5 mint sprigs (leaves only)
2 sugar cubes (or 1/2 part simple syrup)
Mint sprig to garnish
Crushed ice

Begin by placing your mint leaves and sugar or simple syrup into a cocktail glass. Muddle well to dissolve the sugar and release the oil and aroma of the mint. Add the Jim Beam Double Oak, then add the crushed ice.

Stir well until the glass becomes frosty. Garnish with your mint sprig, then serve.

THE ALGONQUIN COCKTAIL

The Algonquin is a delicious, tropical whiskey martini made with pineapple and sweet vermouth.

The Algonquin is named after the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, where famous writers and wits of the early 20th century used to hang out for lunch. This drink is Dorothy Parker-approved (and she didn’t approve of very much).

If you love fruity, sweet cocktails, this is definitely the drink for you. Bring in even more fruit flavor and 21st-century zest by using Jim Beam Apple.

To make the Algonquin, you’ll need:

1.5 parts Jim Beam Apple
3/4 parts dry vermouth
3/4 parts pineapple juice

Simply pour your Jim Beam Apple, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass.

THE HIGHBALL

The Highball is about savoring the flavor of bourbon itself, with a little fizz to kick it up a notch. Don’t mess with the simplicity of the recipe– instead, focus on using the highest quality ingredients. Fresh orange peel, newly-opened soda water, and the premium Jim Beam Black® Bourbon are among the finest of Jim Beam bourbon.

To make a Highball, you’ll need:

1.5 parts Jim Beam Black® Bourbon
6 parts soda water
Orange peel, for garnish

Fill a highball glass with ice. Combine whiskey and soda water in a glass, and stir. Garnish with your orange peel.

JIM BEAM FIRE AND COKE

Coca-Cola has a strong flavor on its own, which is why it’s a popular pairing with so many liquors. Give your typical whiskey-and-coke a hint of heat by using Jim Beam Kentucky Fire. Flavored with cinnamon, it’ll bring a spicy kick to counter the tooth-aching sweetness of the Coke.

Ingredients: