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If you are passionate about exploring cities like their locals do, you’re likely to find your way to a bar or two while traveling. Louisville is a city that loves to drink. Thanks to the Urban Bourbon Trail, there is no shortage of opportunity to find a locally designed Louisville cocktail.
During our trip to Louisville, we were looking for inspiration for the first of many Travel-Inspired Cocktail posts. I was surprised to see how many cocktail bars in Louisville incorporated heavy amounts of freshly muddled fruit into their drinks. Because of this, I knew I had to incorporate fresh fruit into my Louisville-inspired cocktail. Muddled strawberries seemed to be the favorite among Louisville bartenders, so I chose to stick to that.
Louisville is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, and of course no Derby Day would be complete without a Mint Julep. I drank a few Mint Juleps while we were in Louisville, and knew that I had to incorporate these flavors into the drink, too.
Our weekend in Louisville was a rainy one. Bringing in elements of a Dark and Stormy presented a unique opportunity to couple the two classic cocktails into a new fusion. It also was a fun play on the memory of the rainy day.
This is the first in my Travel-Inspired Cocktails series, so I had to do plenty of taste tests to get the recipe just right. I love the end result. This Louisville Cocktail is minty and sweet with subtle hints of lime. The vanilla notes of the bourbon blend perfectly with the mint and ginger beer.
The Recipe:
The Louisville Dark & Stormy
Ingredients
The Cocktail
- 6 Leaves Mint
- 3/4 oz Lime Juice
- 1 1/2 oz Bourbon Try: Old Forester 86 Proof (Louisville Made!)
- 8 oz Ginger Beer
The Garnish
- 1 Bunches of Mint Leaves
- 1 Wedge Lime
Instructions
- Add mint leaves and lime juice to shaker and muddle.
- Pour in Bourbon and shake.
- Strain into a julep cup over crushed ice.
- Top with Ginger Beer.
- Garnish with the bunch of mint leaves and a lime wedge.
Supplies Needed to Make this Cocktail:
If any of the supplies used in the photos above caught your eye, you can buy them for your own bar using the links below.
One thing I loved about drinking in Louisville was their consistent use of fresh ingredients. When you have the opportunity, incorporating fresh ingredients into your cocktail for a better flavor. Pick mint leaves straight from their plant, muddle ripe and juicy strawberries, or squeeze your own lime juice. To make a truly authentic Louisville cocktail, add fresh ingredients wherever possible.
Have you tried this cocktail? If so, let me know what you think in the comments below! Cheers!