Bourbon Recipes

Love bourbon recipes? These cocktails, meals, and desserts showcase Kentucky's favorite spirit-- bourbon whiskey.

I've got exciting news!

The husband and I moved to Kentucky!

If you thought I already lived in Kentucky, you weren't far off-- we lived just across the state line.

But now, we're official.

And my bourbon obsession just got real. "Real-er?"

Anyway, now we're EVEN CLOSER to the wonderful Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and I'm fairly certain I'll be sipping on some grain-based spirits soon.

And I'll be cooking with it too-- because that's how we roll here in Kentucky.

If you'd like to join me in celebrating all things Kentucky Bourbon, check out these bourbon-licious recipe ideas.

Are you new to the world of bourbon? Check out this tutorial on How to Drink Bourbon: A Beginner's Guide.

Bourbon Recipes: Cocktails

As much as I love drinking bourbon neat (without anything added), or on the rocks (with only ice)-- occasionally life calls for a cocktail.

And who am I to say no?

This list of bourbon cocktails starts with a classic-- a Mint Julep (my personal favorite), and includes only recipes that use easy-to-find, real ingredients.

How to Make a Mint Julep

Love bourbon?  Learn how to make a mint julep from scratch!  This classic Kentucky cocktail is perfect for hot summer days and Derby day!

Make It

Tea Hot Toddy

This tea hot toddy is made with herbal tea, bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. It's a delicious hot cocktail that's the perfect for sick days.

Make It

Bourbon Sour with Lavender

This Bourbon Sour with Lavender is a sweet spring cocktail! Mix one up in no time with lavender simple syrup, lemon juice (or Meyer lemon juice), and bourbon.

Make It

Blueberry Bourbon Smash

This Blueberry Bourbon Smash is made with a quick and easy blueberry syrup and fresh basil leaves.  It's a blueberry cocktail that's perfect for hot summer days!

Make It

Kentucky Bourbon Coffee

This Kentucky Bourbon Coffee is a Southern take on an Irish coffee, and is the perfect drink to keep you warm on chilly days. This caffeinated cocktail is made with freshly-brewed coffee, coffee liqueur, bourbon, and cream. 

Make It

Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise

This Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise is made with bourbon, apple cider, and pomegranate simple syrup.  This southern twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise is the perfect fall cocktail.

Make It

Bourbon Sangria

This bourbon sangria is made with dry red wine, fruit, and just a little juice for an easy pitcher cocktail that's perfect for fall and winter.

Make It

Bourbon Recipes: The Main Course

Bourbon doesn't have to be something you simply drink, you can cook with it too!

Bourbon will make your main entrée taste EVEN BETTER.

It'll give it that little something-something that makes everyone ask for your recipe, as well as a second helping.

This list of bourbon meals starts with a vegetarian dish with just a little splash of bourbon-- a butternut squash galette topped with a bourbon drizzle.

Moving on, you'll find glorious, buttery seafood topped with bourbon sauces galore.

Butternut Squash Galette with Bourbon Drizzle

This Butternut Squash Galette is perfect for fall and winter!  It's filled with caramelized onions and goat cheese, wrapped in a Parmesan crust, and topped with a bourbon drizzle.

Make It

Pan-Seared Cod with Kentucky Bourbon

This Pan-Seared Cod with Kentucky Bourbon features flaky white cod topped with a sweet bourbon sauce. And it’s ready in about 15 minutes!

Make It

Pecan-Crusted Salmon with Bourbon

This easy pecan-crusted salmon is topped with pecans and a maple bourbon sauce, and then baked to juicy, flaky perfection.

Make It

Halibut Salad with Bourbon Dressing

This warm halibut salad is made with pan-seared halibut, a bed of wilted spinach, and a quick bourbon dressing. Serve this decadent seafood salad for date night!

Make It

Grilled Bourbon Scallops

These Grilled Scallops with Bourbon Sauce are cooked on skewers on the grill, and topped with an easy, sweet bourbon sauce!

Make It

Grilled Lobster Tails with Bourbon Sauce

This grilling season, bring out the lobster! These incredibly easy Grilled Lobster Tails with Bourbon Sauce are grilled to perfection and coated with a bourbon butter sauce.

Make It

Maple Bourbon Salmon

This maple bourbon salmon is marinated in an easy bourbon sauce, broiled until tender, and finished with the sweet bourbon glaze.

Make It

Bourbon Side Dishes

Don't forget the side dishes!

These bourbon-packed sides are the perfect way to round out your dinner.

With bourbon.

Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

This easy Bourbon Cranberry Sauce is a simple and delicious sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and maple syrup.

Make It

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

This bourbon sweet potato casserole is made with bourbon, maple syrup, and butter, and is topped with a bourbon pecan crumble. It’s a delicious fall side dish!

Make It

Bourbon Desserts

The best way to finish your meal is with a little bit of bourbon.

In your glass AND in your dessert!

These bourbon recipes start with my favorite party dessert-- an award-winning dessert-- salted bourbon chocolate pie.

Next, we'll move on to some no-bake desserts that are both decadent and delicious.

Salted Bourbon Chocolate Pie

This vegan-friendly Salted Bourbon Chocolate Pie is made with chocolate, cream (or coconut cream), bourbon, and sea salt, is simple to put together, and is perfect for parties!

Make It

Bourbon Tiramisu

This bourbon tiramisu is a sweet Southern twist on an Italian classic, is made with espresso, ladyfinger cookies and a mascarpone whipped cream.

Make It

Chocolate Crêpe Cake with Bourbon

This Chocolate Crêpe Cake with Bourbon is a Southern take on the classic French Gâteau Mille Crêpes. This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through making this easy no-bake cake!

Make It

Enjoy your bourbon, and let me know which recipe is your favorite!

Want even more bourbon recipes? Try these Kentucky bourbon balls from Let's Eat Cake!