Cocktail Culture

We're tired of hearing politicians talking about the culture, so we're doing something about it by emphasizing the Cocktail Culture! Over the last month or two, we've posted several installments of our Build a Bar Workshop (search by using the tags at the left). Those posts were designed to give you a good base of information in the spirits category. Like any good classroom, you start with the books, and then you get to the experiments. Test your hypothesis responsibly with these cocktail recipes.

Mint Julep. The Kentucky Derby is about a month away, so you have time to practice this drink before serving it on Derby Day. This is the traditional Derby Day cocktail, and a southern ritual crafted from bourbon, simple syrup and mint.

Ingredients
2 oz. Woodford Reserve
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
3 Fresh Mint Leaves
Crushed Ice

Method
Express the essential oils in the mint and rub them inside the glass. To the same glass, add simple syrup, bourbon, and crushed ice. Stir. Garnish with more ice and fresh mint.

Celebrate Kentucky Derby® 142 in style with the 2016 limited edition bottling of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, featuring artwork designed by artist Thomas Allen Pauly. The bottle is not yet in stock.

Pimm's Original. You've seen the bottle on our shelves, but you never bought one. We're about to give you a reason, because this is a great springtime cocktail.

Ingredients
One part PIMM’S No.1
Three parts of Lemonade
Mint, orange, strawberries, cucumber to garnish
Ice

Method
Pile all the ingredients in a tall glass, mix and sip. Best make a jugful, you never know who’ll turn up at the sound ice leaving your freezer. This will perfectly compliment your beer selections for watching the Final Four!

Moscow Mule. According to Google, this was one of the top cocktails of 2015. But what if we made Tito's American Mule instead?

Ingredients
1.5 oz Tito's Handmade Vodka
0.5 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
3 oz ginger beer

Method
Combine all ingredients into chilled copper mug filled with crushed ice and serve. Garnish with a lime wedge.