To inspire your next get-together, here are eight cocktails and four bourbon-infused recipe ideas to add to your menu this season. 

Memorial Day, Bourbon, and BBQ 

While Kentucky’s favorite May holiday is definitely Derby Day, Memorial Day is no less an excellent reason to invite your favorite people over for a backyard bash and a cocktail or two.  

Whether you prefer ribs, brisket, pulled chicken or any other barbecue fav, if you’re whipping up a batch of homemade barbecue sauce, consider adding your favorite Lux Row Distillers bourbon to the mix.   

Need a bourbon bbq sauce recipe?

Try this one: 

 Ingredients 

• 16 oz can of tomato sauce 
• ¼ to ½ cup sugar (adjust according to taste) 
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional, to taste) 
• 1 tablespoon of yellow or ground mustard 

• ⅓ cup of Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon or Ezra Brooks 99 (to taste) 

Instructions 

Add all the ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste as you cook and add extra bourbon, sugar, or mustard as needed.   

And the perfect cocktails to go alongside your Memorial Day barbecue feast? How about a ginger mule using Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon or a mint julep, also using one of our Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon favorites. 

A Bourbon-Filled Father’s Day  

If your dad is a big bourbon fan (or if you’re the dad and you want nothing more than to sip your favorite whiskey in peace this Father’s Day), consider adding a little more of Dad’s favorite spirit to the day’s menu. Sure, you could make your favorite bourbon-infused barbecue sauce again, but you can also really wow him with a bourbon-infused dessert — and what does summertime call for? Ice cream, of course.  

If you’re making homemade ice cream this summer, add a few tablespoons of whiskey or bourbon to your ice cream mix (whether homemade or purchased) before you add it to your ice cream maker. The bourbon is a fantastic complement to vanilla or butter pecan homemade ice creams. You can also mix bourbon with your favorite caramel or chocolate topping and pour it over your ice cream.  

But don’t leave Dad stranded without a drink while you wait for the ice cream maker to do its thing. Keep him cool with a Rebel Bourbon Peach Freeze or a Rebel Bourbon Root Beer Dream cocktail, which blends Rebel Bourbon Root Beer Whiskey with Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream.  

Bourbon Burgers for Your Independence Day Picnic  

What goes better with the Fourth of July than burgers and hot dogs? But while you might think your bourbon options are limited when it comes to cooking up your Independence Day feast, think again. A bourbon burger is just the thing to impress your guests and your tastebuds.  

Just blend your ground beef with a few tablespoons of bourbon (about two tablespoons for every pound of ground beef), a few teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce and an equal amount of brown sugar. Mix it well before forming your patties. 

Serve your bourbon burgers with a festive and refreshing bourbon cocktail, like this cranberry lime bourbon seltzer, or this ginger bourbon watermelon slush.  

Cap Things Off with an End-of-Summer Salute 

Before the kids head back to school and the weather turns cool again, consider hosting a final end-of-summer bash. One food that’s sure to please everyone on your guest list? Tacos. But you won’t find any tequila here. Instead, marinate your chicken or shrimp in a tasty bourbon marinade before throwing it on the grill, for a unique flavor your guests will rave about.   

For chicken, combine half a cup of bourbon with a fourth a cup of oil, and a few tablespoons each of mustard, Worcestershire sauce and sugar, for a sweet-smoky-tangy marinade. For shrimp, try a combination of equal parts bourbon and oil, along with a half a cup of sugar and a few minced cloves of garlic.  

When it’s time for drinks, trade out your traditional margarita or mojito for a “bourbojito” or, if you absolutely want the tequila, an El Rebel Rita, which combines equal parts tequila and bourbon.  

Cheers to a Lux Row Distillers Summer 

Bourbon is the perfect fit for any occasion. This summer, have a bottle (or two!) of your favorite Lux Row spirit on hand, so you’re always prepared for wherever the party takes you. 

Also, if you want to leave the house this summer, visit the distillery and imbibe on the different Lux Row Distillers bourbons and whiskeys! You can even book a tour now.  

Need to stock up on your favorite spirit? Visit our Whiskey Locator.