Enjoy fall with this easy Bourbon Daisy recipe! You'll love the mix of bourbon, lemon juice, Triple Sec, and a hint of grenadine in this lively cocktail.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
165
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Bourbon
- ⅔ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz Triple Sec
- ¼ oz grenadine
- ½ - 1 oz soda water - to top up
- Ice cubes
- Lemon zest or cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Martini glass with ice. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Grenadine: Pour ¼ oz grenadine into the shaker.
- Add Lemon Juice: Add ⅔ oz lemon juice.
- Add Triple Sec: Measure and pour ½ oz Triple Sec into the shaker as well.
- Add Bourbon: Finally, add 1½ oz Bourbon to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the coupe glass and discard the ice inside. Then, using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the shaken drink into the chilled glass.
- Add Soda: Top up the drink with just a splash of soda water (approx ½ - 1 oz soda water).
- Garnish: Garnish with a maraschino cherry of lemon zest and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, rye whiskey can be a good substitute. It has a spicier flavor profile that can add an interesting twist to the drink.
- Lemon Juice: In case you run out of fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice can work as well, but nothing beats the freshness of squeezing your lemons. Another option is to use freshly squeezed lime juice; it will also work well in this cocktail.
- Triple Sec: You can use any kind and brand of orange liqueur to make this cocktail. Cointreau works well, but any generic triple sec or curaçao will be a good alternative.
- Grenadine: If you’re out of grenadine, you can use another red fruit syrup such as strawberry or raspberry syrup. Another option would be to use the syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries; it is delicious in this cocktail!
Making a Pitcher of Bourbon Daisy:
- Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of bourbon, 5 oz of lemon juice, 4 oz of Triple Sec, 2 oz of grenadine and 8 oz of soda water.
- Mix: Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, triple sec and grenadine in a large pitcher. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, pour immediately into chilled coupe or martini glasses and top up each glass with a dash of soda water (approx. 1 oz per glass). Garnish each glass with a lemon zest or a maraschino cherry and serve immediately. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
- Triple Sec: Opt for an orange extract mixed with a bit of simple syrup to mimic the sweet citrus flavor of Triple Sec. Agave syrup can do the trick as well, as well as orange syrup if you have any!
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version of the Bourbon Daisy.
Making it Vegan:
The Bourbon Daisy cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including bourbon, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process (for example, some maraschino cherries are dyed using cochineal). Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Bourbon Daisy?
A Bourbon Daisy is a whiskey-based cocktail made of bourbon, lemon juice, triple sec and grenadine. It’s a variant of the classic Daisy cocktail, which traditionally uses brandy instead of bourbon. The switch to bourbon gives this version a deeper, more robust flavor profile that sets it apart from its predecessor.
What is a Bourbon Daisy made of – The ingredients
For the creation of a Bourbon Daisy, these ingredients are essential:
- Grenadine: A sweet and tangy syrup made from pomegranate juice, grenadine adds a vibrant red color and a fruity base to the cocktail.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice introduces a bright, citrusy acidity that balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Triple Sec: This orange-flavored liqueur provides a subtle sweetness and a hint of citrus that complements the other ingredients.
- Bourbon: A rich, amber-colored whiskey with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, Bourbon adds warmth and depth to the cocktail.
- Soda Water: A splash of soda water adds a light effervescence, making the drink more refreshing and easy to sip.
- Maraschino Cherry or Lemon Zest: These garnishes not only add visual appeal but also a subtle hint of additional flavor, whether sweet or zesty.
