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Independence Day has arrived and it’s brought a massive heat wave to much of America. But some of us, myself included, are getting through it by staying hydrated.
The second Booker’s Batch of the year was just released, ‘Apprentice Batch’ named in honor of Carl Beam who Booker Noe apprenticed under at the Boston, KY distillery back in 1954. Booker’s ‘Apprentice Batch’ was hand selected by Fred Noe and clocks in at a robust 125.5 proof.
The second Booker’s Bourbon Batch release of 2023 carries an age statement of 7 years, 1 month, and 2 days. Apprentice Batch has a healthy amber color and is a very oak-forward expression. Having sat 2+ years after 5, there are thick notes of vanilla throughout.
3 Bourbon Cocktails Perfect For The 4th Of July
Now I’m not advocating you run out and immediately mix this into cocktails but I figured I’d recommend the three cocktails I’m drinking on the 4th of July.
Boulevardier:
Bookers`
- 2 parts Booker’s Bourbon
- 2 parts Campari
- 1 part Dolin Rouge sweet Vermouth
- Orange twist as a garnish.
Add the three liquors into a mixing glass full of ice, shake vigorously, rub the rim of the rocks glass with the orange rind prior to serving, and pour over 1 large block of ice or neat.
The added benefit of this cocktail is it comes out bright red, perfect for the 4th of July.
Lynchburg Lemonade:
This cocktail was made famous by Tennessee Whiskey but I’ll go out on a limb here and say like any great cocktail, you should make it with the best available ingredients. So, should you have a whiskey on hand (KY, IN, etc) you prefer over Tennessee whiskey then use that.
- 2 parts Tennessee Whiskey or Bourbon
- 1 part Triple Sec
- 4oz lemon-lime soda
- 1oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
Combine the Bourbon/Whiskey, Triple Sec, and Lemon juice together in a highball glass. Use one large round cube. Fill to the brim by adding the lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary if you have it.
Bluegrass Mai Tai
The Bluegrass Mai Tai comes to us by way of Zach Johnston at Uproxx. He has a roundup of 4th of July cocktails from a few years back that you might enjoy if the three cocktails above don’t do it for you.
Ingredients for the Bluegrass Mai Tai are:
- 2 parts high-proof bourbon
- 1 part. Grand Marnier (or orange curaçao)
- 1 part fresh lime juice
- 1 part Orgeat
Using a shaker, pour all of the ingredients in and shake vigorously. Then pour into a pint glass with crushed ice. Pour a half shot of the same high-proof bourbon over top. And Zach says to garnish with an ‘orange wheel, cherry, and dusting of nutmeg.’