Craft Cocktails

The Ultimate Manhattan Upgrade? Try The Gala Manhattan!

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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.

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🍊 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

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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

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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!

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🥃 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 

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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!

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📋 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

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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!

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📋 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!

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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!

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📜 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!

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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!

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🍸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

How to Make The Beekeeper’s Sour | Summer Bourbon Cocktail

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Welcome to Episode 73 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails with Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey! We are kicking off the summer season with a whiskey sour!

If you usually avoid honey-flavored whiskey because it’s overly sweet or syrupy, this recipe is for you. Tonight, we are making The Beekeeper’s Sour—a sophisticated, bourbon-forward whiskey sour variant that completely rethinks the honey-whiskey category. By pulling back on the sugar, adjusting the fresh lemon juice, and building a unique split-bitter backbone, we let the 92-proof Kentucky straight bourbon truly shine.

We’re also diving into advanced cocktail textures using gum syrup for a silky mouthfeel and Fee Foam for that perfect, frothy sour head without using egg whites. Plus, you’ll learn how a complex blend of Cardamom bitters and classic Angostura bitters grounds the wildflower honey notes for a crisp, balanced, and refreshing patio sipper.

If you enjoy craft cocktail recipes, bourbon reviews, and learning how to balance home bar drinks, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more whiskey journeys!

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📋 The Beekeeper’s Sour Recipe

  • 2 oz Green River Honey Bourbon
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (Adjust up to 0.75 oz if your lemons are less tart!)
  • 0.25 oz Gum Syrup
  • 3 dashes Fee Foam (or egg white)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura Bitters Original
  • Garnish: Dehydrated lemon wheel

🍸 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Combine the Green River Honey Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, gum syrup, Fee Foam, and both styles of bitters into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds to achieve perfect chill, heavy aeration, and dilution.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. (Tip: Use a double-strainer if you didn’t pre-strain your fresh lemon juice!)
  4. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel placed flat on top of the beautiful foam layer. Cheers!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE:  The spirit 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. 

#WhiskeySour #GreenRiverBourbon #HoneyBourbon #CocktailRecipe #BourbonSour #SummerCocktails #ThirstyThursday #HomeBartender #WhiskeyJourney #CraftCocktails #BourbonWhiskey #CardamomBitters #FeeFoam #DrinkResponsibly #CocktailHour

This Smoked Bourbon Old Fashioned Isn’t Too Sweet! 

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Take your Old Fashioned to the next level with The Amber Coast, a rich, spirit-forward smoked cocktail that bridges modern mixology with a piece of liquid history! In Episode 72 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca crafts a sophisticated twist on the classic bourbon cocktail using a bold, high-rye bourbon and a secret vintage ingredient from 1983.

Whether you love whiskey tasting, exploring complex bourbon recipes, or looking for the perfect transitional spring-to-summer drink, this craft cocktail delivers massive flavor. We are combining robust oak and black pepper notes with a unique vanilla-citrus sweetness and a clean, smoky finish. Grab your cocktail mixing glass and smoke infuser, and let’s mix a drink together!

If you enjoyed learning how to make a smoked old fashioned, don’t forget to LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly craft cocktail recipes, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a Thirsty Thursday!

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The Recipe: The Amber Coast

  • Style: Smoked Old Fashioned / Spirit-Forward
  • Glassware: Heavy Rocks Glass
  • Ice: One large clear cube
  • Smoke Agent: Cherry Apple wood

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz High-Rye Bourbon (Featured: Green River Full Proof)
  • 0.5 oz French 43 Liqueur
  • 0.25 oz Dry Vermouth (Featured: Vintage Stock/Schenley circa 1980s)
  • 3 dashes Jeptha Creed Strawberry Ginger Bitters
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine the High-Rye Bourbon, French 43, Dry Vermouth, and both types of bitters in a cocktail mixing glass.
  2. Add ice and stir for 15–20 seconds for optimal chilling, integration, and dilution.
  3. Strain the mixture into a heavy rocks glass over a single large, clear ice cube.
  4. Express a fresh orange peel over the top of the glass to release the citrus oils, then drop it in.
  5. Use a cocktail smoker to infuse the drink with burning cherry wood smoke. Let the smoke settle to caramelize the oils.
  6. Serve, sip, and enjoy responsibly!

🚨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 #SmokedCocktail #BourbonCocktail #CraftCocktails #BourbonJourney #WhiskeyGram #CocktailRecipe #Mixology #GreenRiverBourbon #HomeBartender #ThirstyThursday #VintageVermouth #BourbonLovers #CocktailTime #DrinkResponsibly

Try This Deep Red, Shimmering Rye Whiskey Boulevardier

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Welcome to Episode 71 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! As we approach Memorial Day weekend, we are crafting a cocktail designed for reflection, honor, and remembrance—The Honor Guard.

This patriotic, bold, and spirit-forward drink is a striking variation of the classic Boulevardier. Featuring a stunning, solemn, shimmering presentation and a deep-red appearance, it is the perfect whiskey-forward drink to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In tonight’s episode, we use a powerhouse foundation: Rossville Union Store Pick Cask Strength Rye Whiskey at a muscle-building 111 proof. Instead of traditional sweet vermouth, we combine the bright, citrusy bitterness of Campari with the dense, rich blackcurrant notes of Merlet Crème de Cassis Liqueur. We tie the entire flavor profile together with five dashes of Jeptha Creed Strawberry Ginger Bitters for a sharp, fiery bite and a seasonal berry edge.

Please take a moment of silence this weekend for our fallen heroes, drink responsibly, and give this beautiful cocktail a try. Happy Memorial Day!


If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE this video, leave a COMMENT with your favorite rye whiskey, and SUBSCRIBE to Your Bourbon Journey for more craft cocktail recipes, bourbon reviews, and mixology tips!

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The Honor Guard Recipe

  • 2 oz Rossville Union Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (or your favorite high-proof rye)
  • 0.75 oz Campari
  • 0.75 oz Merlet Cassis Liqueur
  • 5 Dashes Jeptha Creed Strawberry Ginger Bitters
  • Visual Flair: Red and white edible cocktail glitter

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prep the Glass: Add a dust of red and white edible glitter to the bottom of your mixing glass.
  2. Build: Pour in the Rossville Union Rye, Campari, Merlet Cassis, and 5 dashes of Jeptha Creed bitters.
  3. Chill & Activate: Add ice and stir vigorously for about 20 seconds to chill the spirits, open up the rye’s aromatic oils, and activate the stunning star-like shimmer.
  4. Serve: Strain over one large clear ice cube into a rocks glass. Enjoy responsibly!

Tasting Notes

  • Aroma: Rich dark berry sweetness perfectly balanced by bright, spicy rye.
  • Taste: Bold black pepper, complex herbal bitterness, and deep, luscious blackcurrant.
  • Finish: Lingering ginger heat backed by a structured, dry oak finish.

🚨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. Please drink responsibly.

#YourBourbon Journey #CocktailRecipe #MemorialDay #RyeWhiskey #Boulevardier #Mixology #ThirstyThursday #CraftCocktails #WhiskeyForward #Campari #RossvilleUnion #HomeBartender #JepthaCreed #ShimmerCocktail #BourbonCommunity