People love to complain about the stupid decisions politicians make sometimes, but we have to salute them for quite possibly the smartest thing they’ve ever done: declaring September as “National Bourbon Heritage Month.” Back in 2007, Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning’s bill passed by unanimous consent and it is meant to be a reinforcement of the 1964 Act of Congress that declared bourbon as “America’s Native Spirit.” Bourbon has a rich heritage and legacy in America and we’re glad the U.S. Senate realized we need an entire month to celebrate it.

 

So, how should you celebrate? You can always drink the bourbon straight, but if you’d rather mix up a cocktail, try one of these options:

 

Cherry Ginger Bourbon Cocktail

Bourbon cocktails

This is so easy, and it’s delicious. We are big fans of Jim Beam’s Red Stag, so we were psyched to see it being used in this cherry ginger bourbon cocktail.

  • Grab a short glass and add some ice
  • Pour one shot of Jim Beam Red Stag Black Cherry Bourbon over the ice
  • Fill the rest of the glass with ginger beer
  • Add a slice of fresh lime and two maraschino cherries

 

Pear-licious Bourbon Cocktail

Bourbon cocktails

This pear bourbon cocktail takes a little more effort than the cherry bourbon cocktail, but it is such a great fall recipe that it had to be shared. You should get 4 drinks from this, so grab a few friends or an XXL glass.

 

  • Heat 1 tbsp. unsalted butter and 1 tbsp. brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the butter starts to bubble.
  • Add the juice of one lemon and 2 pears (peeled, pitted, and chopped). Turn the heat to low and cook until the fruit is really soft (about 8-10 min.)
  • Stir in 1/4 c. bourbon and 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool.
  • Pour the mixture into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Cover and cool completely.
  • Fill four glasses with ice, add about 1/4 lemon-lime soda to each glass and then evenly pour the pear-bourbon mix to fill the glasses.

 

Maple-Jalapeno Bourbon Cocktail

Bourbon cocktails

The idea of this maple-jalapeno bourbon cocktail scares us, but we’ve also learned over time that it’s the weirdest stuff that tastes the best.

 

  • Cut the top off of one jalapeno and slice it in half lengthwise. Get all the seeds out and set them aside (don’t throw them out). Slice three long sticks of the jalapeno to use later for garnish and then slice the two remaining long pieces into half moons.
  • Add 7 or 8 of the half moon slices and 5 of the seeds to a cocktail shaker. Add 1/2 oz. grade A maple syrup and muddle 20 times.
  • Cut a lemon in half and cut a couple of thin slices and set them aside. Cut the other half in half again and take a quarter of the lemon and squeeze the juice into the cocktail shaker.
  • Add 2 oz. bourbon to the cocktail shaker and add about four ice cubes. Stir about eight times.
  • Strain the drink into a chilled glass, but don’t let any seeds get in. Garnish with the three long jalapeno slices and a lemon slice. Add some ice.

 

Cheers to bourbon, “America’s native spirit” and what we’ll be drinking through September.