Savor the season with this straightforward Bourbon Lift recipe! The fluffy blend of bourbon, cream, coffee liqueur, orgeat syrup and soda water makes it a top-notch fall cocktail.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
2 minutes
Servings:
1
Calories:
245
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Bourbon
- ½ oz heavy cream
- ½ oz orgeat syrup
- ½ oz coffee liqueur
- 3 oz club soda - to top up
- Ice cubes
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Highball or Collins Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Straw
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Highball or Collins glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Heavy Cream: Take the shaker and pour ½ oz heavy cream inside.
- Add Orgeat Syrup: Add ½ oz orgeat syrup.
- Add Coffee Liqueur: Pour ½ oz coffee liqueur into the shaker as well.
- Add Bourbon: Measure and add 1½ oz Bourbon to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice. Close it well and shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
- Dry Shake: Open the shaker. Using the cocktail strainer, pour the liquid into the other tin and discard the ice. Close the shaker again and shake another time, for 15-20 seconds, without ice this time.
- Pour: Take the Highball or Collins glass and pour the drink into the glass.
- Top Up: Fill up with Club Soda and let it rest for 20-30 seconds.
- Add More Soda: Gently add another splash of soda: this will lift the foam above the top of the glass and give the drink its signature look and fluffy texture.
- Serve: Add a straw and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, use rye whiskey, dark rum or even cognac for a different flavor profile.
- Heavy Cream: Half-and-half or whole milk can be used as a substitute for heavy cream if needed, but remember that this will make the drink less creamy.
- Almond Orgeat Syrup: If you can't find almond orgeat syrup, you can make your own by simmering equal parts sugar and unsweetened almond milk until it thickens into a syrup. You can also add a few drops of almond extra for an extra kick of flavor.
- Coffee Liqueur: If you're out of coffee liqueur, try using a strong brewed coffee or espresso (in which case, depending on your preference, you may have to adjust the overall sweetness of the drink). You could also use a coffee-flavored syrup if you have it.
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.
- Coffee Liqueur Substitute: Opt for a coffee-flavored syrup or strong-brewed coffee instead of the coffee liqueur.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Heavy Cream Substitute: Use a plant-based cream substitute like coconut or soy creamer to replace the heavy cream in this recipe. These will give you a similar creamy texture without any animal products.
What is a Bourbon Lift?
A Bourbon Lift is a whiskey-based cocktail made of bourbon, coffee liqueur, heavy cream, and orgeat (almond) syrup. Despite the complexity of its flavor profile, it’s relatively easy to make as long as you have all the ingredients on hand… And are ready to give it a really, really good shake.
The Bourbon Lift isn’t directly derived from any classic cocktails. Still, it stands out due to its unique combination of flavors – sweet notes from the almond orgeat and coffee liqueur balanced by rich undertones from heavy cream and robust bourbon whiskey. This drink offers an exciting twist for those who enjoy creamy cocktails like White Russians but want more depth and warmth from good-quality bourbon.
What is a Bourbon Lift made of – The ingredients
The following ingredients are necessary for a Bourbon Lift:
- Bourbon: The base spirit of the cocktail, bourbon gives the drink its characteristic rich and smooth flavor.
- Coffee Liqueur: Adds a deep, sweet coffee flavor to the cocktail, complementing the bourbon’s natural sweetness.
- Heavy Cream: Gives the cocktail a creamy texture and balances out the strong flavors of the bourbon and coffee liqueur.
- Orgeat Syrup: Sweetens the drink while adding a subtle nutty sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the cocktail.
- Club Soda: Used to give the cocktail its signature “foam top”. It also adds a subtle carbonation to the cocktail, making it fizzy and refreshing.
