When I was given the opportunity to try some recommended summertime recipes with Maker’s Mark Whiskey I hesitated none. After all, I’m a whiskey girl at heart and who doesn’t love a good ol’ summer day. And with recipes titled Summer Solstice Slipper and The Bungalow, my mouth was watering just reading them.
Summer Solstice Slipper:
2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1 ½ parts ginger beer
1 ¾ parts lemon juice
1 large strawberry (or 3 small)
4 basil leaves
1 dash Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters
Muddle strawberries and basil well. Add rhubarb bitters, lemon juice and Marker’s Mark Bourbon. Add ice and shake. Strain over ice in a highball glass. Add ginger beer and stir lightly. Garnish with a slice of strawberry. Sip and enjoy.
Thoughts: This should be a summertime (or anytime) drink for the tried and true Whiskey lovers out there. The sour of the lemon, the sweet of the strawberry mixed with the herbal mix of basil blends so complementary that your taste buds will deceive you. I wouldn’t leave this just for summer but anytime so long as you can get your hands on some decent quality strawberries.
The Bungalow:
¾ part Maker’s Mark Bourbon
¾ part simple syrup
½ part fresh lemon juice
1 part fresh orange juice
Champagne
Combine Maker’s Mark, simple syrup, lemon juice, and orange and shake. Top off with Champagne.
Thoughts: Ditch the Sunday Mimosas and take it up a notch and grab yourself a Bungalow! It just so happened I was trying this on a Sunday and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Do yourself and your palate a favor and don’t skimp on the ingredients. Use a little arm muscle and squeeze out the fresh lemon juice. If you have any muscle left, do the same with the orange, though I found a good quality refrigerated orange juice to be great as well. I wouldn’t do the same with the lemon though. It leaves the drink more tart. The quality of the Champagne can also make or break you. Sometimes cheaper is not always better. Spend the few extra dollars or ask your local supplier which one they would recommend. Mix and enjoy!
Maker’s Mark Bourbon gained a new fan. I also won’t be limiting these summer drinks just for the summer. Who says you can’t enjoy a drink all year around? Not me! So grab your bottle of Marker’s Mark today. Happy drinking! For more drink recipes be sure to check out their website.