7 Great Cocktail Recipes for Your Next Backyard Gathering
B.R. Distilling Whiskey is now available in Florida. Here are some delicious ways to put their craft spirits to great use.
Recently, we had a chance to try two different whiskeys from B.R. Distilling, the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, Tennessee—and we’re smitten!
The brand of small-batch, craft spirits made its way into the Florida market earlier this year, and we were anxious to try both the Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey and the Riverset Rye Whiskey.
To begin, let’s explore both spirits a little, and then we’ll jump into some cocktails that are perfect for summer entertaining.
Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey
Crafted in Memphis, Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey is aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels before being bottled by hand. The unfiltered, 93-proof whiskey offers notes of sweet corn, allspice and oak on the nose, with flavors of vanilla, apricot and pear. B.R. Distilling also offers Blue Note Premium Small Batch Whiskey that is aged for a minimum of nine years, and a single barrel option that’s aged a minimum of 10 years.
Riverset Rye Whiskey
Lovers of rye will want to check out Riverset. Aged a minimum of 4 years and made of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, you’ll notice vanilla and spice on the nose, with flavors of crisp apple, cinnamon, vanilla and oak in this unfiltered spirit.
The good news? Both Blue Note Juke Joint and Riverset Rye are eminently sippable on their own, with a drop or two of water, or even a cube of ice.
But they also both create the basis for some truly excellent cocktails. Read on to learn more! (Disclaimer: this is some of the most fun research we’ve ever done.)
Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey Cocktails
Lady Sings the Blues
This is the perfect cocktail for your next ladies lunch. After all, who can resist iced tea? Amiright?
3 Earl Grey tea, strongly steeped
1 1⁄2 Blue Note Juke Joint whiskey
1⁄2 lemon juice
3⁄4 simple syrup or honey syrup garnish with lemon wedge
Build in highball glass, stir add ice.
Smoke On The Water
Nothing pairs better with ‘cue than sweet tea, and the smokiness of Lapsang Souchong is next-level delicious in this surprising sip. We recommend the iced version for Florida’s sultry summers.
3 Lapsang Souchong tea
2 Blue Note Juke Joint whiskey
1 brown sugar syrup
1⁄4 lemon juice
garnish lemon twist
Hot: Combine in coffee cup and stir. Cold: Shaken and strained in rocks glass over fresh ice; garnish with lemon twist.
Good Morning Judge
Need a pick-me-up, a slow-me-down, or a hair-of-the-dog? This coffee-based concoction will cure what ails you. Think of it as a Shakerato For Grown Ups.
1 1⁄2 Blue Note Juke Joint whiskey
3⁄4 coffee liqueur
1⁄4 Licor 43
2 dashes orange bitters
garnish orange twist
Build over ice and stir, strain into a coupe or over fresh ice, into a glass of choice
Riverset Rye Whiskey Cocktails
Huckle Up
Cola and whiskey are a match made in heaven, but the Grenadine lends a lovely twist to this one.
2 Riverset Rye
1/2 Grenadine syrup
3 cola
squeeze fresh lime wedge
garnish cherry
Build in a Collins, stir and add ice; garnish with cherry
Memphis Mule
Who doesn’t love a mule? My favorite ginger beer is Gosling’s, but use what you love.
1 1⁄2 Riverset Rye
2 ginger beer
squeeze fresh lime dash
Peychaud’s bitters
Build in highball glass; garnish with lime.
Delta Shrub
Shrubs make me happy! They’re such a great balance of sweet and sour, using the best of seasonal fruit. This is an easy version, where you basically throw the ingredients of the shrub (vinegar, sugar, and fruit) together to make the drink. So refreshing, and practically healthy! 😉
1 1⁄2 Riverset Rye
3⁄4 lemon
1 simple syrup
1⁄4 apple cider vinegar
3oz. fresh berries
garnish with appropriate fruit
Muddle fruit, add ice, shake and strain into highball glass.
Ben’s Main Street Shake Down
As an honorary Georgian, peach season is celebrated with gusto in our house. The idea of a cocktail that marries the peach and bourbon? Easily a match made in heaven. Top it with a little ginger beer or seltzer to lighten it up just a bit.
1 1⁄2 Riverset Rye
1 peach liqueur or purée
6 mint leaves
1 lemon
3⁄4 ginger syrup
Muddle mint and build over ice, shake and strain into coop or over rocks in a highball glass.
Where To Find B.R. Distilling Brands
B.R. Distilling Brands are now available in major Florida markets, including Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola and Miramar. For more details on where exactly to find them, be sure to visit the company’s website: click here for Blue Note and here for Riverset Rye. Cheers!
