Alright, so it was a scorcher out there today, and I was craving something refreshing but with a little kick. I’m a big whiskey fan, but straight-up felt a bit too heavy for the heat. So, I thought, why not try my hand at some summer whiskey cocktails?

First things first, I gathered my supplies. I grabbed my trusty bottle of bourbon, some lemons, limes, a bunch of mint from the garden, and some simple syrup I had whipped up a few days ago. I also pulled out some ginger ale and club soda from the fridge. I wasn’t following any specific recipes, just kinda winging it based on what I thought would taste good.
Experiment Time!
My first attempt was a simple whiskey smash. I muddled some mint leaves with a few lemon wedges and a splash of simple syrup in a shaker. Then, I added a good amount of bourbon, some ice, and shook it all up like crazy. I strained it into a glass filled with ice and topped it off with a bit of club soda. Garnished it with a lemon wedge and some extra mint. It was pretty darn good! Super refreshing, and the mint and lemon really brightened up the whiskey.
- Attempt 1: Whiskey Smash
- Muddled mint, lemon, simple syrup
- Added bourbon, ice, shook it up
- Strained, topped with club soda, garnished
Next, I wanted to try something a bit spicier. I mixed some bourbon with ginger ale, a squeeze of lime juice, and a dash of bitters in a tall glass with ice. I stirred it gently and garnished it with a lime wheel. This one was a winner too! The ginger ale added a nice zing, and the lime juice balanced out the sweetness. The bitters were just there for the hint of complexity.
- Attempt 2: Whiskey Ginger
- Mixed bourbon, ginger ale, lime juice, bitters
- Stirred, garnished with lime
I made a couple more variations, playing around with different combinations of ingredients. One involved muddling some fresh berries with the mint and lemon, which turned out pretty tasty. Another one used grapefruit soda instead of club soda, which was surprisingly good. I even made a quick batch of infused simple syrup with sugar water and lemon zest.
- More fun!
- Muddled berries with mint and lemon
- Tried grapefruit soda instead of club soda
- Homemade lemon-zest simple syrup
Honestly, the whole process was a blast. It was fun to experiment and see what flavors worked well together. I ended up with a few new go-to summer cocktails that I’ll definitely be making again. Now I need to make some notes for each recipe. The best part is, there are no strict rules when it comes to cocktails. It’s all about finding what you enjoy. So, if you’re looking for a way to cool down and enjoy some whiskey this summer, I highly recommend giving these cocktails a shot. It’s a great way to get into mixology!

Anyway, that’s all for today’s boozy adventure. Let me know how it turns out if you try them!