Lexington, KY - Bourbon aficionados often cry foul when their cherished elixir is ordered in any incarnation aside from neat (no ice or water) or on the rocks (over ice). Go ahead and let the purists cringe, bourbon is also a capable mixer for many cocktails -
aside from the potent Mint Julep.
Recently six bartenders from the Bluegrass Hospitality Group (a family of local restaurants including Malone's, Sal's, Harry's, Drake's and Aqua Sushi) competed in the Lexington Convention and Visitor Bureau's "Big Lex Cocktail Contest" (Big Lex being the appointed blue horse mascot of Lexington) for the honor of creating a concoction for the cobalt-hued equine. Cocktails had to use bourbon and up to five other ingredients -
additional points were given to drinks that incorporated Kentucky Proud products.
Joshua Cecil, who works at the Malone's Landsdowne location (3347 Tates Creek Rd., 335-6500), turned in the winning mixture using Maker's Mark bourbon and other sweet ingredients (recipe listed below).
The Big Lex cocktail will be served at all Bluegrass Hospitality Group restaurants through the end of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. For the location of other restaurants serving the cocktail, visit www.bluegrasshospitality.com.
The Big Lex
1 1/4 oz. Maker's Mark
3 oz. simple syrup, infused with Kentucky Proud blackberries and strawberries
1 squeeze of orange or lemon
Splash of 7-Up
Serve over ice
Others
Old Fashioned
(a classic bourbon cocktail, with a contested and heavily debated recipe)
2 oz. bourbon
2 dashes of bitters
1 tsp. sugar
1 splash of water
1 maraschino cherry
1 orange wedge
Muddle sugar, water, bitters, cherry and orange wedge in an old-fashioned glass (ever wonder where that name came from?); pour in bourbon, fill with ice and stir.
Mint Julep
(the quintessential bourbon cocktail, no trip to the Kentucky Derby is complete without one, or five)
2 - 3 oz. bourbon
2 tsp. simple syrup
Medium sized mint leaves
Sprig of fresh mint
Muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup, then add the bourbon. Strain the mixture over a glass of crushed ice and stir gently with a sprig of fresh mint.
Manhattan
(allegedly the first cocktail to incorporate vermouth)
2 oz. bourbon (originally made with rye whiskey, but makes a nice bourbon drink as well)
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes of bitters
Pour ingredients over ice in a martini shaker. Chill for several minutes, and then strain and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. (May also be served over ice.) Garnish with a cherry.