We’ve already covered National Bourbon Day, and today we’re going to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month – just in case you need a whole month to appreciate the intricate flavors and balanced richness of bourbon. We get it! From a detailed history of bourbon’s conception to a list of bourbon cocktails for every day of the month, we’ve got you covered for a full month of exciting bourbon adventures. Let’s jump right in!

When Is Bourbon Heritage Month?

Bourbon Heritage Month takes place annually in September. It is a time when enthusiasts and distilleries alike celebrate the rich history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance of bourbon, reflecting on its journey from the early days of American settlement to its current status as a beloved and iconic spirit. Today, we’re learning more about bourbon and sharing a recipe for each day of the month to help you celebrate!

How to Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month:

There are so many ways to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month, but here are just a few ideas:

• Distillery Tours: Explore local distilleries (find them with our by-state directory) to learn about bourbon’s production processes through guided tours. This provides a firsthand look into the craftsmanship behind this iconic spirit.
• Tastings: Engage in tastings that showcase a range of bourbon varieties. Take note of the diverse flavor profiles and nuances that make each bottle unique. Pick up a few bottles of local bourbons to add to the mix if you can. You can search for local bourbon distilleries with our by-state directory.
• Educational Reading: Deepen your knowledge by reading up on bourbon’s history, production methods, and cultural significance – like in this blog! This can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the spirit.
• Mixology Exploration: Craft all or some of our list of 30 bourbon-infused cocktails using classic recipes or your creative concoctions. This adds a personalized touch to your celebration, allowing you to experiment with flavors.

The History of Bourbon

Beginnings to 19th Century

Bourbon is a quintessential American spirit that has a rich history shaped by the nation’s past, shaped by cultural, legal, and economic factors. Its origins date back to the late 18th century, when settlers in the Appalachian region began distilling grain-based spirits, a practice inherited from their European ancestors.

The term “bourbon” itself is believed to have originated in Bourbon County, Kentucky, during the 19th century. However, the exact origins remain contested. Some attribute the name to the French royal family, the House of Bourbon, while others suggest it was named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Regardless, the heart of bourbon production lies in Kentucky, where the limestone-rich water and ideal climate contribute to its distinctive character.

Bourbon’s journey wasn’t always as smooth as the spirit itself. The Whiskey Rebellion of the late 18th century (prompted by an excise tax on spirits) was the final straw that incited protest between distillers and the government. This period saw both illegal production and increased regulation, foreshadowing the poor relationship between producers and lawmakers that would continue for many years.

The 19th century saw bourbon evolve from a rustic, locally-made spirit to a recognizable brand. The establishment of the Old Forester distillery in 1870 marked the birth of the commercial bottled bourbon industry. This milestone set the stage for the modern bourbon production methods that still, to this day, emphasize consistency and quality.

Fun Fact: There’s a distillery in Kentucky today with Old Forester’s namesake: Old Forester Distillery

20th Century & Prohibition

The bourbon industry’s resilience was, as you can imagine, put to the test during Prohibition (1920-1933). As we discussed in our Bootlegger’s Day and Prohibition blogs, this was a dark period that forced many distilleries to close their doors. However, some survived by producing “medicinal whiskey” or operating under “industrial” terms. The end of Prohibition saw the industry emerge stronger, with a smaller number of distilleries focusing on quality over quantity.

Bourbon’s popularity surged further in the post-World War II era, as returning soldiers developed a taste for the spirit while stationed in the South. The mid-20th century saw the rise of iconic bourbon brands like Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey. These brands introduced innovative marketing strategies that transformed bourbon into a symbol of American tradition and craftsmanship.

The Bourbon of Today

In recent decades, bourbon has experienced a renaissance fueled by a renewed interest in craft distilling and a global fascination with American culture. Small-batch and single-barrel bourbons have gained prominence, appealing to consumers seeking unique flavor profiles and a connection to the past. This movement has led to a proliferation of new distilleries, each with its take on the classic spirit.

Legal Battles & Modern Popularity

Bourbon’s journey through history has been shaped by legal battles as well. The establishment of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 aimed to ensure the quality and authenticity of bourbon by setting standards for production, aging, and labeling. Similarly, the 1964 Congressional resolution declared bourbon as a “distinctive product of the United States,” solidifying its status as a uniquely American spirit on the global stage.

As of today, bourbon’s popularity continues to rise both domestically and internationally. Its fan base includes not only traditionalists but also enthusiasts who appreciate the intricate flavors and stories behind each bottle. Bourbon tourism has also gained traction, with distillery tours and tastings becoming must-do activities for travelers exploring the American South.

In conclusion, the history of bourbon really is a journey through time, shaped by innovation, regulation, and the resilience of Americans themselves. From its humble beginnings in the Appalachian region to its status as a global icon, bourbon’s story continues to unfold. 

(Sources: Encyclopedia of Louisville, Bourbon & American Whiskey, The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails)

30 Bourbon Cocktails to Enjoy for Bourbon Heritage Month

We’ve compiled a list of thirty bourbon cocktails so that you can try a new one every day of Bourbon Heritage Month, if you’d like! Remember to drink responsibly, though!

Bourbon Cocktail #1: The Old Fashioned

Day one of Bourbon Heritage Month it makes sense to start with the most popular bourbon cocktail in the United States. The Old Fashioned. We always recommend locally distilled bourbon from a craft distillery near you.

1. Place a sugar cube in an old-fashioned glass.
2. Add 2-3 dashes of bitters onto the sugar cube.
3. Muddle the sugar cube and bitters together until the sugar is partially dissolved.
4. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
5. Pour 2 oz bourbon over the ice.
6. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
7. Garnish with an orange or lemon twist.

Bourbon Cocktail #2: The Bourbon Sour

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1/2 oz of simple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the mixture is well chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel. You can express the oils from the twist over the drink by giving it a gentle twist over the glass, then drop it in.

Bourbon Cocktail #3: The Manhattan

1. Add 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora or coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a brandied cherry (or a lemon twist, if preferred).

Bourbon Cocktail #4: The Mint Julep

1. Place 8 mint leaves and ½ oz simple syrup into a julep cup, Collins glass, or double old-fashioned glass.
2. Muddle well to dissolve the sugar and release the oil and aroma of the mint.
3. Add 2 oz bourbon.
4. Fill the glass with crushed ice and stir well until the glass becomes frosty.
5. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Bourbon Cocktail #5: The Boulevardier

1. Add 1 ¼ oz bourbon, 1 oz Campari and 1 oz sweet vermouth into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.

Bourbon Cocktail #6: The Bourbon Rusty Nail

1. Add 1 ½ oz bourbon and ¾ oz Drambuie into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.

Bourbon Cocktail #7: The Kentucky Mule

1. Add 2 oz bourbon and ½ oz lime juice to a copper mug or a highball glass.
2. Fill the mug or glass with ice and top with ginger beer.
3. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Bourbon Cocktail #8: The Bourbon Sazerac

1. Chill an old-fashioned glass by filling it with ice. Let it sit while you prepare the rest of the drink.
2. In a mixing glass, soak a single sugar cube with 3 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters bitters and muddle to crush the sugar.
3. Add 2 oz bourbon and stir.
4. Toss the ice in your chilled glass. Rinse it with absinthe by pouring a ¼ oz into the glass, swirling it around, then discarding the liquid.
5. Pour the drink mixture into your absinthe-rinsed glass.
6. Squeeze the lemon twist over the drink.

Bourbon Cocktail #9: The Lynchburg Lemonade

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour 1.5 oz of whiskey into the glass.
3. Add 1 oz of triple sec.
4. Squeeze 1 oz of fresh lemon juice and pour it into the glass.
5. Top up the glass with 4 oz of lemon-lime soda.
6. Gently stir the mixture to combine the ingredients.
7. Garnish the drink with a lemon slice.

Bourbon Cocktail #10: The Bourbon Rickey

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour 2 oz of bourbon into the glass.
3. Squeeze 1 oz of fresh lime juice and add it to the glass.
4. Fill the glass with club soda, leaving some space at the top for garnish.
5. Gently stir the mixture to combine the ingredients.
6. Garnish the drink with a lime wedge.

Bourbon Cocktail #11: The Blackberry Bourbon Smash

1. In a shaker, muddle the blackberries and mint leaves together to release their flavors.
2. Add 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of fresh lemon juice, and 1 oz of simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to combine the ingredients and chill the mixture.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Top off the glass with a splash of club soda.
6. Gently stir the contents to incorporate the club soda.
7. Garnish the drink with a sprig of mint and a couple of fresh blackberries.

Bourbon Cocktail #12: The Bourbon Renewal

1. In a shaker, muddle the fresh blackberries to release their juices and flavor.
2. Add 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz of crème de cassis, and 1/2 oz of simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
4. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Garnish the drink with a lemon twist.

Bourbon Cocktail #13: The Gold Rush

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of honey syrup, and 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
3. Shake the mixture vigorously to thoroughly chill and combine the ingredients.
4. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #14: The Maple Bourbon Smash

1. In a shaker, gently muddle the fresh mint leaves to release their aroma.
2. Add 2 oz of bourbon, 1/2 oz of pure maple syrup, and 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
4. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Top off the glass with a splash of club soda.
6. Gently stir the contents to incorporate the club soda.
7. Garnish the drink with a sprig of mint.

Bourbon Cocktail #15: The Kentucky Buck

Congrats- we are halfway through Bourbon Heritage Month- hope you are enjoying your homework with locally distilled bourbon from a distillery nearby!

1. In a shaker, muddle the sliced strawberries to release their juices.
2. Add 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz of simple syrup, and 2 dashes of aromatic bitters to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
4. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Top off the glass with ginger beer, leaving some space at the top.
6. Gently stir the contents to incorporate the ginger beer.
7. Garnish the drink with a slice of strawberry and a lemon wheel.

Bourbon Cocktail #16: The New York Sour

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 oz of simple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Carefully pour the 1/2 oz of red wine over the back of a spoon held just above the cocktail’s surface. This will allow the wine to float on top.
5. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #17: The Big Apple Bourbon

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of apple cider, 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 oz of maple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to thoroughly mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Garnish the drink with a slice of apple.

Bourbon Cocktail #18: The Southern Buck

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of fresh lime juice, and 1/2 oz of peach liqueur.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Top off the glass with ginger beer, leaving some space at the top.
5. Gently stir the contents to incorporate the ginger beer.
6. Garnish the drink with a slice of peach and a lime wedge.

Bourbon Cocktail #19: The Seelbach Cocktail

1. In a mixing glass, combine 1 oz of bourbon and 1/2 oz of Cointreau.
2. Add 7 dashes of aromatic bitters and 7 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters to the mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and stir gently to chill and combine the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled Champagne flute.
5. Carefully pour 5 oz of chilled sparkling wine into the flute.
6. Garnish the drink with twists of both orange and lemon peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #20: The Bourbon Peach Sweet Tea

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of peach schnapps, 3 oz of sweet tea, and 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Garnish the drink with a slice of peach, a lemon wheel, and a sprig of mint.

Bourbon Cocktail #21: The Bourbon Ginger Smash

1. In a shaker, muddle the fresh ginger slices to release their flavor.
2. Add 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 oz of simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
4. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Top off the glass with a splash of club soda.
6. Gently stir the contents to incorporate the club soda.
7. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel and a slice of ginger.

Bourbon Cocktail #22: The Honey Bourbon Bee’s Knees

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of honey syrup, and 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #23: The Brown Derby

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of fresh grapefruit juice, and 1/2 oz of honey syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Garnish the drink with a twist of grapefruit peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #24: The Derby Fizz

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 1 oz of fresh orange juice, 1/2 oz of fresh lime juice, 1/2 oz of simple syrup, and 1 egg white.
2. Dry shake (shake without ice) the mixture vigorously to emulsify the egg white.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake again to thoroughly chill and froth the mixture.
4. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Top off the glass with a splash of club soda.
6. Gently stir the contents to incorporate the club soda.
7. Garnish the drink with a twist of orange peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #25: The Paper Plane

1. In a shaker, combine 3/4 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of Aperol, 3/4 oz of Amaro Nonino, and 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #26: The Frisco Sour

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of Benedictine, and 3/4 oz of fresh lemon juice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #27: The Rosy Cheeks

1. In a shaker, combine 2 oz of bourbon, 3/4 oz of raspberry liqueur, 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice, and 1/4 oz of simple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Garnish the drink with fresh raspberries.

Bourbon Cocktail #28: The Bourbon Black Hawk

1. In a shaker with ice, combine 2 oz bourbon and 1 oz sloe gin.
2. Shake to chill, then strain into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a cherry.

Bourbon Cocktail #29: De La Louisiane

1. In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz of rye whiskey, 3/4 oz of sweet vermouth, 3/4 oz of Bénédictine, and 3 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters.
2. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and stir well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Rinse a separate chilled glass with 3 dashes of absinthe, discarding any excess.
4. Strain the mixed cocktail into the absinthe-rinsed glass.
5. Garnish the drink with a cherry and a twist of lemon peel.

Bourbon Cocktail #30: The Diamondback

The last day of Bourbon Heritage Month and our 30th bourbon cocktail to help you celebrate! If you have loved this article about the 30 days of Bourbon Heritage Month, please review your favorite bourbons from local distilleries on our site. Your reviews make a difference.

1. In a mixing glass, combine 1 1/2 oz of rye whiskey, 3/4 oz of apple brandy, and 3/4 oz of yellow Chartreuse.
2. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and stir well to mix the ingredients and chill the mixture.
3. Strain the mixed cocktail into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish the drink with a twist of lemon peel.

Happy cocktail mixing from all of us at Distillery nearby. Remember, you can search for and find local bourbons with our by-state directory!

We hope you enjoy Bourbon Heritage Month!