Craft Cocktails

Bourbon + Jalapeño + Chocolate: A Match Made in Heaven?

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🔥 Ready to spice up your bourbon collection with a bold, spirit-forward twist on a classic? Welcome to Episode 82 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey with Rebecca! Tonight, we’re pouring The Cinnamon Trail Old Fashioned—a fiery, complex Old Fashioned riff that combines heavy-oak bourbon, vintage liqueur heat, and rich Mexican chocolate vibes.

We anchor this build with a 110-proof Private Selection of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, bringing serious muscle, caramel, and Wild Turkey rye spice. For a unique modifier, we feature a rare find from Revival Vintage Spirits: Gaetano Jalapeño Liqueur (1984). While it smells like fresh cut peppers, it tastes like high-end cinnamon Red Hots! Balanced with Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup and a dash each of Aztec Chocolate & Mole Bitters, this cocktail takes your palate on an incredible journey.

🔮 NEXT WEEK: Tune in for Episode 83: The High Desert Manhattan—a dry, earthy twist pairing high-rye bourbon with Cynar 70 and prickly pear!

Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly bourbon cocktail recipes! Always drink responsibly. Cheers! 🥂

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

📋 THE RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

Ingredients:

  • 2.0 oz Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon (110 Proof)
  • 0.25 oz Gaetano Jalapeño Liqueur (1984 Vintage)
  • 0.25 oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
  • 1 dash Fee Brothers Mole Bitters

Method & Assembly:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir for 25–30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
  3. Strain into a Double Rocks Glass over a single large ice cube.
  4. Express fresh orange peel oils over the top and drop the peel into the glass.

TASTING PROFILE

  • Aroma: Fresh, pepper-forward top notes shifting into warm baking spices, rich maple, toasted oak, and bright orange oils.
  • Taste: Bold caramel and sweet maple give way to a lively spike of cinnamon Red Hots, quickly balanced by dark cocoa and savory mole spices.
  • Finish: Long, warming, and comforting—lingering notes of charred oak, dark chocolate, and a gentle cinnamon glow.

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#OldFashioned #BourbonCocktail #RussellsReserve #BourbonJourney #ThirstyThursday #CocktailRecipe #SpicyCocktail #VintageSpirits #Mixology #CraftCocktails #Bourbon #WhiskeyGram #CocktailHour #MexicanChocolate #WildTurkey

Summer Midnight Manhattan | Zero Sweetness, Maximum Flavor

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 81 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! 

To close out the month of July, we are crafting the Summer Midnight Manhattan—a sleek, savory, and sophisticated Black Manhattan style cocktail that balances high-proof bourbon muscle with deep herbal complexity and zero cloying sweetness.

In this episode, Rebecca builds this bold cocktail anchored by Old Grand-Dad 114 7-Year Single Barrel Bourbon. The 114 proof and 27% high-rye mash bill provide seasoned oak, baking spice, and a rich, oily viscosity that slices cleanly through the bittersweet vegetal bite of Cynar 70 and the authentic, earthy pepper warmth of Chicago Dogma Amargo De Chile. Balanced with silky gum syrup and layered with Turkish Tobacco and Black Walnut bitters, this stirred craft cocktail delivers an unforgettable tasting experience from the first sip to the lingering finish.

If you enjoy craft bourbon cocktails, amaro riffs, and unique Manhattan variations, make sure to Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a Thirsty Thursday release!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

Recipe: The Summer Midnight Manhattan

  • 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 7-Year Single Barrel Bourbon
  • 0.50 oz Cynar 70 Amaro
  • 0.25 oz Chicago Dogma Amargo De Chile
  • 0.25 oz Gum Syrup
  • 1 dash Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • 1 dash Fee Brothers Black Walnut Cocktail Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel
  • Glassware: Chilled Coupe Glass

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#BlackManhattan #BourbonCocktails #OldGrandDad114 #Cynar70 #CocktailRecipe #ThirstyThursday #CraftCocktails #BourbonJourney #WhiskeyCocktails #ManhattanCocktail #Bitters #Mixology #HomeBartender #SummerCocktails #BourbonCommunity

Crafting the Ultimate Spicy Old Fashioned with Cherry Wood Smoke

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 80 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! 

Tonight, Rebecca crafts the Chile & Spice Old Fashioned—a rich, savory, and slightly smoky cocktail built specifically for mid-summer evenings.

We are pairing high-proof, high-rye bourbon muscle with authentic earthy pepper heat, juicy stone fruit, and a fragrant cloud of cherry wood smoke.

Stir one up with us tonight, and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Please drink responsibly.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

📋 THE RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

Chile & Spice Old Fashioned

  • 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 7-Year Single Barrel Bourbon
  • 0.5 oz Chicago Dogma Amargo De Chile
  • 0.33 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Plum Cocktail Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed orange peel
  • Smoke: Cherry wood chips

Instructions:

  1. Combine all liquid ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir for approximately 25 seconds until thoroughly chilled and diluted.
  3. Strain over a large clear ice cube into a rocks glass.
  4. Express fresh orange peel oils over the surface.
  5. Apply the cocktail smoking kit with cherry wood chips right before serving, trapping the smoke under a cloche for presentation.

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#Bourbon #OldFashioned #SmokedCocktail #WhiskeyCocktails #OldGrandDad114 #CraftCocktails #CocktailRecipe #ThirstyThursday #BourbonJourney #Mixology #Amaro #AmargoDeChile #BourbonLovers #SmokedOldFashioned #Whiskey

The Ultimate Manhattan Upgrade? Try The Gala Manhattan!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! In Episode 79 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, we are mixing up the Gala Manhattan—an exceptionally elegant, ultra-premium variation of the ultimate whiskey classic.

Most Manhattan recipes rely on standard orange modifiers, but tonight we are elevating the entire drink with Gran Gala Liqueur. Because Gran Gala features a rich, velvety brandy base instead of a neutral spirit, it introduces a weightier mouthfeel and a darker, more complex orange profile.

To ensure the whiskey remains the absolute star of the glass, we are anchoring this heavy-hitting build with Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon. At 116.8 proof, this legendary barrel-proof powerhouse brings a robust high-rye muscle, deep charred oak, and bold baking spices that slice right through the rich modifiers to command the glass. Paired with historic Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth and a sophisticated split-bitter format, it yields a dry, luxurious cocktail that tastes like a premium dark chocolate-dipped orange peel.

Stir one up with us tonight, and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Please drink responsibly.

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

🍊 The Gala Manhattan

Ingredients:

  • 2.0 oz Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon
  • 0.75 oz Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth
  • 0.50 oz Gran Gala Liqueur
  • 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters
  • 2 dashes Aztec Chocolate Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed orange peel

Instructions:

  1. Add the Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Cocchi di Torino, Gran Gala, and both styles of bitters into a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
  2. Stir deeply for 25 to 30 seconds to achieve maximum chill and proper dilution.
  3. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
  4. Express a fresh orange peel over the top to release the citrus oils, drop it into the glass, and enjoy!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#ManhattanCocktail #WildTurkeyRareBreed #GranGala #BourbonCocktails #ClassicCocktails #ThirstyThursday #HomeBartender #CraftCocktails #BourbonJourney #SweetVermouth #CocktailRecipe #WhiskeyGram #PremiumSpirits #Mixology #StirredNotShaken

Bulleit Bourbon Distillery Tour & Double Bottle Tasting Review

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

We are back on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for Episode 63 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes! Today, we are sharing our recent second visit to the massive Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Distillery in Shelbyville, KY. While we’ve stopped by before, this was our very first time taking the official Bulleit Distillery Tour with our fantastic guide, Jeremy! 

Even though production was temporarily shut down, we got an up-close look at the incredible automated facility, stood inside a disassembled vintage Vendome column still to inspect the plates, and explored their fascinating microscope-blown yeast strain wall. Plus, we dive into their legendary “hippie trip” full sensory tasting room to experience the sensory orbs!

After hitting one of the best gift shops on the trail, we brought home two unique bottles purchased the same day. Today, we crack them open for a double first-pour tasting review:

ONE: Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 08) An uncut, non-chill filtered powerhouse clocking in at 121.8 proof. 

TWO: Bulleit Bourbon Mesquite Smoked Malt (Limited Edition) A fascinating 6-year-old experimental release distilled in November 2018. 

Have you done the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience? What do you think of the experimental Mesquite Smoked Malt? Let us know in the comments below!

If you love what we do, hit that SUBSCRIBE button, join us on the journey, and always remember to drink responsibly. Go bite the Bulleit today! Cheers!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 08)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Diageo
  • Distillery: Sourced from undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies) (Aged/Bottled at Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Bulleit’s signature high-rye bourbon mash bill, typically ~68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS (at least 4 years)
  • Proof: 121.8
  • SRP: $60
  • Other: Uncut and non-chill filtered; aged in level 4 char barrels with level 2 char heads.
  • Purchased: 03/29/26 for $60 at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience

Bulleit Bourbon Mesquite Smoked Malt (Limited Edition)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Diageo
  • Distillery: Bulleit Distilling Co. (Shelbyville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Mesquite-Smoked Malted Barley, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 6+ Years (Distilled November 2018, dumped 2025)
  • Proof: 93
  • SRP: $50
  • Released: March 2, 2026
  • Other: Bulleit’s first-ever straight bourbon crafted without any rye grain in the mash bill. Part of their experimental new-make and grain exploration project.
  • Purchased: 03/29/26 for $50 at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#BulleitBourbon #YourBourbonJourney #DistilleryTour #BourbonTrail #BulleitBarrelStrength #MesquiteSmokedMalt #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonReview #Diageo #ShelbyvilleKY #ExperimentalWhiskey #BourbonPairing #BBQCocktails #BiteTheBullet

Upgrade Your Boulevardier Cocktail With This High-Proof Trick

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 78 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, we are crafting “The Darker Boulevardier,” a brooding, spirit-forward riff on the classic Boulevardier cocktail. If you love a classic Negroni or a traditional Boulevardier but want something with more depth, complexity, and a savory backbone, this recipe is for you.

Instead of the bright, sweet citrus snap of traditional Campari, this recipe features the high-proof intensity of Cynar 70. This amaro brings an assertive, velvety, and deeply savory artichoke-and-herbal bitterness to the glass. To stand up to that heavy modifier, we are anchoring the build with 2 full ounces of the Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year bourbon. With its famous high-rye mash bill, this 114-proof powerhouse brings a sharp punch of black pepper, cinnamon, baking spices, and a classic Jim Beam nuttiness that remains the absolute star of the glass.

We round out the sharp edges with the rich cocoa-and-berry sweetness of Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth and bind the structure together with Orange Bitters. The result is a bold, viscous, and unapologetically complex aperitivo-style cocktail that opens up beautifully as the clear ice melts.

Are you a fan of using Cynar in whiskey cocktails? Let me know your thoughts on this spec in the comments below!

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

🥃 THE RECIPE: THE DARKER BOULEVARDIER

  • 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year Bourbon
  • 0.75 oz Cynar 70 Amaro
  • 0.75 oz Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

📖 INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir thoroughly for 30 to 45 seconds to achieve an ice-cold chill and proper dilution.
  3. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a single large, clear ice cube.
  4. Express a fresh orange peel over the top to release the bright essential oils, and drop it in as the garnish.

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#BourbonCocktails #Boulevardier #OldGrandDad114 #Cynar70 #CocktailRecipe #ThirstyThursday #YourBourbonJourney #WhiskeyCocktails #AmaroCocktails #NegroniRiff #HomeBartender #SweetVermouth #CraftCocktails #BourbonEnthusiast #ClassicCocktailRiff

Upgrade Your 4th of July Drinks: Shimmering Barrel Proof Sour 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 77 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! 

Today, Rebecca is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a patriotic, layered visual showstopper crafted specifically for the Fourth of July weekend: The Star-Spangled Sour.

Forget sticky, sweet holiday drinks—this premium New York Sour twist is strictly spirit-forward, anchored by the bold, 110-proof baking spices of Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye. Learn how to use blue luster dust to create a swirling, cosmic gold-and-blue nebula in your mixing glass, and master the art of density layering using PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur to sink a deep red foundation right to the bottom of your clear ice core. It’s the perfect balance of fresh citrus brightness, rich Demerara texture, and punchy MGP rye spice. 

Drink responsibly and have a safe, wonderful holiday weekend!

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

📋 THE RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

Ingredients:

  • 2.0 oz Rossville Union Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey
  • 0.75 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
  • 0.75 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 0.50 oz PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
  • A pinch of Blue Edible Luster Dust / Glitter
  • Garnish: Hand-cut Lemon Peel Star

Instructions:

  1. Drop a pinch of blue luster dust into the bottom of an empty shaking tin.
  2. Add the barrel-proof rye, fresh lemon juice, and Demerara syrup to the tin.
  3. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds to completely emulsify the citrus and suspend the shimmering cosmic dust.
  4. Strain into a clear double rocks glass over a single large, clear ice core.
  5. Slowly pour the PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur down the inside wall of the glass, allowing it to sink cleanly to the bottom to create the red layer.
  6. Garnish with a fresh lemon peel star perched neatly on the rim. Cheers!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#YourBourbonJourney #ThirstyThursdayCocktails #FourthOfJulyDrinks #WhiskeySour #RyeWhiskey #RossvilleUnion #LayeredCocktail #4thOfJuly #PamaLiqueur #CocktailRecipe #BourbonSeventies #HomeBartender #CraftCocktails #HolidayDrinks #America250

The Ultimate Summer Bourbon Sour: The Solstice Sour Recipe

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 76 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! 

Tonight, we are celebrating the official arrival of summer with the Solstice Sour—a deep, complex, and refreshing Amaro-Sour hybrid. If you are ready to move away from overly sweet, bright orchard fruit drinks and step into a sophisticated, highly structured cocktail that stays crisp on hot June nights, this is the pour for yourself.

In this video, we split the base between an incredible high-proof bourbon and a world-class Italian amaro. We are anchoring this expanded build with a full two ounces of Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel (the 7-Year expression), giving the drink an amazing backbone, seasoned oak notes, and a velvety mouthfeel. We pair that punchy proof with Amaro Montenegro, which weaves in a lower-proof botanical complexity of bitter orange peel, coriander, and soft vanilla to mirror a perfect summer sunset. Balanced with fresh squeezed lemon juice, rich Demerara syrup, and dark stone-fruit plum bitters, this spirit-forward cocktail finishes incredibly long, complex, and completely dry.

Grab a bottle of OGD 114, press some fresh citrus, and mix this up tonight. 

Cheers to welcoming summer in all its glory!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 


🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

📋 The Solstice Sour Recipe & Ingredients

  • 2 oz Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Featured: Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year)
  • 0.75 oz Amaro Montenegro
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (Always test your lemons for tartness!)
  • 0.50 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 3 Dashes Fee Brothers Plum Cocktail Bitters
  • Garnish: Skewered Luxardo Cherry

🛠️ Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Combine: Add the bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, fresh lemon juice, Demerara syrup, and plum bitters directly into your cocktail shaking tin.
  2. Shake: Add clean, hard ice and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until well-chilled and aerated.
  3. Serve: Strain the cocktail over a single large, clear ice ball into a double rocks glass.
  4. Garnish: Express fresh lemon oils over the rim (discard the peel), top with a skewered Luxardo cherry, and enjoy!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#BourbonCocktails #WhiskeySour #OldGrandDad114 #AmaroMontenegro #YourBourbonJourney #ThirstyThursdayCocktails #SummerCocktails #AmaroSour #CraftCocktailRecipes #BourbonDrinks #CocktailHour #HomeBartender #WhiskeyLovers #SolsticeSour #LuxardoCherry

Better Than An Old Fashioned? Try The Patriarch Gold Cocktail!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 75 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails! In tonight’s episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Rebecca walks you through how to craft “The Patriarch Gold”—a sophisticated, spirit-forward Father’s Day classic built for true whiskey lovers.

If you love a classic Old Fashioned, a Toronto, or a Monte Carlo, this elegant and robust variant is the perfect upgrade. We are anchoring this heavy-hitting build with a massive 2 oz pour of Knob Creek Single Barrel 120 Proof bourbon. Known for its rich notes of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and deep oak, this high-proof expression provides the perfect structural backbone.

To bring balance, texture, and a beautiful herbal complexity, we split the modifiers between the iconic Amaro Nonino and a touch of rich, velvety bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup. Tied together with savory molasses bitters and bright orange bitters, this cocktail delivers a long, warming finish with lingering notes of leather, toasted nuts, and soft baking spices. It’s strong, steady, and classic—perfect for celebrating Father’s Day.

Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for more craft cocktail recipes, whiskey reviews, and home bartending tips!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

📜 THE RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon (120 Proof)
  • 0.75 oz Amaro Nonino
  • 0.25 oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Molasses Cocktail Bitters
  • 1 dash Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine the Knob Creek 120, Amaro Nonino, barrel-aged maple syrup, and both styles of bitters into a mixing glass.
  2. Fill the mixing glass with solid ice.
  3. Stir thoroughly for 30 to 45 seconds to achieve an ice-cold chill and proper dilution.
  4. Strain cleanly into a chilled rocks glass over a single large, clear ice core.
  5. Express a fresh orange peel over the top to release the bright citrus oils, drop it in as a garnish, and enjoy!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#BourbonCocktail #KnobCreek #AmaroNonino #FathersDayCocktail #YourBourbonJourney #CraftCocktails #WhiskeyLovers #ThirstyThursdayCocktails #HomeBartender #OldFashionedVariant #SpiritForward #CocktailRecipes #BourbonBar #Mixology #FathersDayDrinks

This Secret Bitters Combo Transforms Honey Bourbon!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Struggling to find a honey bourbon cocktail that isn’t overly sweet or syrupy? In Episode 74 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca fixes this classic cocktail dilemma with the “Honey Nut Cheers“—a spirit-forward, dry, and nutty special feature. 

Using the highly anticipated 92-proof Green River Honey Bourbon as a rich, natural wildflower canvas, this recipe introduces a sophisticated twist. By balancing the whiskey with crisp, herbaceous Carpano Dry Vermouth and a touch of Mediterranean vanilla from Licor 43, we pivot away from heavy dessert profiles. 

The real magic happens with the spine of the drink: a heavy-hitting combination of Fee Brothers Black Walnut and Toasted Almond bitters. Together, they deliver a spectacular, savory, roasted cereal-like aroma right at the rim that grounds the sweet honey notes perfectly. It’s rich, crisp, and incredibly sophisticated. 

Mix along with us, enjoy the deep woody finish of this adult childhood-cereal vibe, and don’t forget to subscribe for more premium whiskey reviews and craft cocktail recipes!

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly whiskey cocktail tutorials!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

🍸COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:

  • • 2 oz Green River Honey Bourbon
  • • 0.75 oz Carpano Dry Vermouth
  • • 0.5 oz Licor 43
  • • 3 dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Cocktail Bitters
  • • 3 dashes Fee Brothers Almond Bitters
  • • Ice (for stirring)

📝 INSTRUCTIONS:

  • 1. Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with solid ice.
  • 2. Stir thoroughly for 30 to 45 seconds to achieve the perfect chill, proper dilution, and to fully open up the toasted almond aromatics.
  • 3. Strain cleanly into a chilled coupe glass.
  • 4. Skip the garnish to let the incredible roasted, nutty aroma take center stage right at the rim! 

Please drink responsibly. Have a fabulous Thirsty Thursday!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE:  The Green River Honey featured in this recipe was provided to us as a media sample by the producer for review purposes. We were not compensated for this video, and our opinions remain entirely our own. All other items in this video were purchased by us. 

#BourbonCocktail #GreenRiverBourbon #HoneyBourbon #CocktailRecipe #CraftCocktails #ThirstyThursday #WhiskeyGram #HomeBartender #Mixology #Licor43 #Vermouth #BourbonLovers #HoneyNutCheers #CocktailHour #DrinkResponsibly