The 6 Ingredients That Will Transform Your Bourbon

When armed with a small arsenal of mixing supplies, your at-home bourbon cocktail-drinking experience improves ten-fold. And what you need beyond the basic kitchen supplies is surprisingly limited.
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Celebrate #30DaysofBourbon by drinking the brown stuff like you mean it.

Simplicity is key when making cocktails at home.

Though it's hard not to love a basic whiskey and ginger ale, sometimes it's exactly that: basic. Then again, more than three or four ingredients in one glass can spell disaster for your kitchen and your drinks.

But when armed with a small arsenal of mixing supplies, your at-home bourbon cocktail-drinking experience improves ten-fold. And what you need beyond the basic kitchen supplies is surprisingly limited.

The six ingredients you need at the ready:

  • Sweet vermouth
  • Campari
  • Simple syrup
  • Angostura bitters
  • Lemon
  • Soda water

First things first. From your cupboard, you'll need sugar (combine it with water for a batch of simple syrup), fresh lemon juice (save the peel!) and soda water.

Next up: Buy bottles of sweet vermouth and Campari--and don't forget the dropper of Angostura Bitters, which you may even be able to pick up at the grocery store.

1
WHAT YOU NEED: Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari
Mix, stir and sip. It’s really as simple as that to get this American twist on the classic Italian Negroni.
Get the recipe for the Boulevardier.
2
WHAT YOU NEED: Bourbon, sugar, Angostura Bitters, lemon peel
An ultra-classic, this Old Fashioned is one of those must-know recipes. In lieu of muddled fruit in this recipe, mix together the bitters and sugar, muddle, add the bourbon and ice, and garnish with a lemon peel. Easy peasy.
Get the recipe for the Old Fashioned.
3
WHAT YOU NEED: Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, lemon peel
Did you know this elegant quaff only takes three ingredients to make—not including the garnish? Though it’s typically topped with a bright red cherry, the lemon peel provides a welcome update.
Get the recipe for the Manhattan.
4
WHAT YOU NEED Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup
The inner workings of your lemon will come in handy. No pre-made sour mix here, thanks.
Get the recipe for the Whiskey Sour.
5
WHAT YOU NEED: Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, sugar, soda water
If the Whiskey Sour is a bit too, well, sour for your taste, dump it in a Collins glass, add ice and top with soda. Who knew cocktailing could be so easy?
Get the recipe for the Bourbon Collins.

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