The Kentucky Derby has a very special place in my heart. Each year, growing up, I watched the race with my Dad. Someday I will be in attendance for the race, it’s on my bucket list, but until then I’ll hush my family, pour myself a maple bourbon sour and cheer on my horse.
Now, you may be wondering about the flavor combination that is this maple bourbon sour. I know, sounds crazy, but it works. You need to take my word for it and try it. You may be familiar with a whiskey sour, well, and I’m probably going to get into trouble here, whiskey and bourbon are pretty similar.
The difference between Tennessee Whiskey (think Jack Daniels) and Bourbon (think Maker’s Mark) is that after the they are distilled, Tennessee Whiskey is filtered through sugar-maple charcoal. This filtering is what distinguishes Tennessee Whiskey from your average Bourbon. The name, Bourbon, comes from an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky.
To get a bit more technical, bourbon must be made in America containing at least 51% corn. Whiskey is made all over the world (think Irish and Canadian). Both bourbon and whiskey must be stored in oak barrels but for bourbon they must be new and charred, which imparts a much different flavor than uncharted as in whiskey. Bourbon has an interesting history, that is totally American and is an iconic American spirit. Probably what I personally love most about bourbon is it cannot contain any other additives including coloring or flavorings.
But American’s love things flavored and you may see some flavored bourbon brands on the market. I would not consider them truly bourbon and do not recommend them in this maple bourbon sour. Stick with the real stuff.
If you don’t think a maple bourbon sour is for you, and that’s OK, try my bourbon peach tea.
Ingredients
- 2 shots bourbon
- 1 1/2 shot freshly squeeze lemon juice
- 3/4 shot real maple syrup
- Rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker combine the bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup. Add a small sprig of rosemary. Add ice to just above the level of the liquid and shake for 10 - 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into rocks glasses containing large cubes of ice. Garnish with small sprig of rosemary.
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- Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Kentucky Hot Brown Pizza by Cookaholic Wife
- Maple Bourbon Sour by Family Around the Table
Shared at weekend potluck
