Southern Sippin'
The summer continues to heat up, but as we head into August we usually see some relief with evenings that are cooler - and a little bit shorter. Now's the time to sip summer cocktails on patios or in your own backyard, and make every moment count. Over the last 12 years we've gathered some great recipes for bourbon cocktails - here's some of our favourites to help extend those summer vibes.
Blackberry & Sage Julep
The mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. We're giving this a little Albertan twist with sage and blackberries for a delicious summer sipper for both bourbon lovers and those new to bourbon cocktails. 
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1.5 oz bourbon
3-4 fresh blackberries
5-6 sage leaves
2 tsp brown sugar
Crushed/pebbled ice
Splash club soda
Extra blackberries and sage leaf, for garnish
1. Use a julep cup/tin if you have one, or a metal cup, and muddle the blackberries, sage leaves, and sugar together until thoroughly crushed and the sugar starts to dissolve. This releases the flavours of the blackberries and sage.
2. Fill your cup or tin with crushed ice. Pour the bourbon over the ice and mix thoroughly until the tin becomes frosted. 
3. Add a splash of water or club soda and stir well. Garnish with a few fresh blackberries and a sage leaf.
4. Serve immediately with a metal straw. As your hand heats the julep tin, the flavours will open up. 
Kentucky Snowbird
1½ oz. Bourbon
½ oz. Aperol
½ oz. Cointreau
2 dashes orange bitters orange for flaming orange twist

1. Put ice in a rocks glass for chilling.
2. Put liquors and bitters in a stirring pitcher. Add ice and stir for 10-15 seconds.
3. Dump the ice from the chilled glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass. Flame an orange twist over the cocktail and discard the flamed peel.
4. Squeeze orange peel over the cocktail, run it around the rim of the glass and drop it into the cocktail.
Blackberry & Sage Julep
Kentucky Snowbird
The Meat Hook
The Meat Hook
40 mL Wild Turkey 101 Proof
20 mL Punt E Mes Vermouth
10 mL Ardbeg 10 yr, which provides a bold, briny, sooty smoky character to this otherwise smooth and savoury drink.
5 mL Maraschino liqueur
Stir and strain into chilled cocktail glass, garnish with brandied cherry
Lawnmower
Inspired by Coco 500
1½ oz. Bourbon
1 oz. lime juice
¾ oz. ginger syrup
5 leaves fresh mint mint for garnish

1. Put ice in a rocks glass for chilling.
2. Place all in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake for 10-15 seconds.
3. Dump the ice from the chilled glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with mint.
Ginger Syrup
1 cup cane sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh ginger (shredded)

1. Bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add the ginger and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
3. Strain the ginger from the syrup. Store in a clean glass jar for up to one month in the refrigerator.
Lawnmower
The Meat Hook