Ahh, bourbon… It’s about as American as bald eagles, baseball, and apple pie.
Bourbon has a long, rich history. Originally produced in Bourbon County, Kentucky, back in 1783, it was made commercially available by T.W Samuels when he built a distillery and started selling it. The bourbon they sold was popular, but bitter, until Bill Samuels Sr. created a bourbon without the bitterness in 1943.
That bourbon was Maker’s Mark.
In this post, I’ll go over some of the best ways to drink your Maker’s Mark, in order to keep it classy and sophisticated (the Stylish Carry way!).
Different Ways To Drink Bourbon
When it comes to Maker’s Mark, there are two ways to drink it straight. Let’s take a look:
- Neat: Drinking Maker’s Mark neat means that the bourbon is served at room temperature without ice.
Purists like to drink bourbon neat because it allows them to experience the full range of its flavor without any distractions. Some enthusiasts will add a few drops of water to the bourbon to allow the aroma to really breathe and open up. Drinking bourbon from a brandy snifter will also help concentrate the aroma. - On the Rocks: Drinking Maker’s Mark on the rocks is a great way for beginners to ease into the word of bourbon. About three-quarters of an inch of ice is considered the standard amount and the bourbon is poured over it.
This serves to water the bourbon down and make it more palatable to beginners.
Maker’s Mark is not meant to be chugged–it’s a sipping alcohol. It’s brewed in small batches, meaning that you can get different hints of flavors in each batch. This can range from hints of smokiness to the sweet taste of molasses.
However, Maker’s Mark isn’t meant to just be enjoyed straight. Bourbon works really well in a range of cocktails.
Check out our top 10 Maker’s Mark cocktails below!
Classic Mint Julep
When it comes to summer drinks, you can’t go wrong with a classic mint julep. Hailed as the classic cuisine of the American south (and especially the Kentucky Derby), mint juleps are one of the most popular bourbon cocktails around. Typically served on the rocks, mint juleps are made with (you guessed it) mint leaf, bourbon, simple syrup, and ice. Traditionally, they were served in silver or pewter cups, although now you’ll find them often served in old-fashioned tall glasses.
You can find the recipe for a classic mint julep here.
Pro Tip: Avoid over-muddling the mint leaves. Muddling it too much can result in unleashing a bitter aftertaste.
Maker’s Mule
We’ve all heard of Moscow Mule’s, but have you ever heard of Maker’s Mule?
Another perfect summer drink, Maker’s Mule is similar to a Moscow Mule. Its ingredients include Maker’s Mark bourbon, cold ginger beer, lime juice, and a lime garnish. This drink is equally crisp and sharp, with the combined acidity of the ginger and lime providing a nice bite.
Maker’s Mules are typically served in copper Mule cups, which tend to get extremely cold because of their copper material.
You can find the Maker’s Mule recipe here.
Pro Tip: Sear your garnishes to provide a smoky, caramelized bite.
Bourbon Cider
Nothing says hello fall like a good cider!
Maker’s Mark cider is the perfect way to enjoy bourbon without the harsh taste of undiluted alcohol. The recipe calls for Maker’s Mark, sugar, bitters, dry hard cider, and a cherry and orange peel for garnish.
Bourbon Cider can be served cold for those warm summer days or hot for those chilly autumn nights!
You can find the full Bourbon Cider recipe here
Pro Tip: Serve in a champagne glass or pewter mug, depending on the temperature outside.
Spiked Eggnog
There’s nothing like spiked eggnog to ring in the holiday!
Equally festive cheer and good rollickin’ fun, spiked eggnog is great to drink alone or at a party. The recipe calls for Maker’s Mark, 2% milk, heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and nutmeg for garnish. It can be served warmed up or ice cold, depending on how you’re feeling!
You can find the recipe for Spiked Eggnog here.
Pro Tip: Grating fresh nutmeg over your drinks will give your eggnog a richer taste and a classy look!
Maker’s Sour
A fresh twist on an Amaretto Sour, a Maker’s Sour is the perfect blend of tart and sweet.
It’s the ideal classic cocktail for a night out on the town with its refreshing splash of lemon and sugar. The Maker’s Sour calls for Maker’s Mark, simple syrup, lemon juice, and a cherry and lemon peel for garnish.
You can find the recipe for Maker’s Sour here.
Pro Tip: Since you already need the lemon for garnish, consider using freshly squeezed lemon juice! Since the lemon is such an important part of the drink, it will really bring your Maker’s Sour to the next level.
Maker’s Mark Collins
The Maker’s Mark Collins is a unique spin on the traditional Tom Collins.
A sour cocktail, it is traditionally served in a tall Collin’s glass over ice. The Maker’s Mark Collins features Maker’s Mark, lemon juice, sugar, soda water, and Maraschino cherries and lemon for garnish.
This is a great drink for lounging around by the pool in the summer!
You can find the recipe for a Maker’s Mark Collins here.
Pro Tip: Spear your garnishes on a toothpick to add a fruity, festive vibe!
Kentucky Bubbly
Equal parts classy and fun, the Kentucky Bubbly is the perfect way to spend a light-hearted evening.
This drink features Maker’s Mark, sparkling apple cider, and maraschino cherries for garnish. Typically served in a champagne flute, this drink looks at home whether you’re staying in for the evening or going off to the races!
You can find the recipe for the Kentucky Bubbly here.
Pro Tip: Add a sprig of mint for a hint of freshness!
Bourbon Terragon Cooler
The Bourbon Terragon Cooler is the perfect way to spice up your day!
It’s an advanced cocktail that requires you to infuse Maker’s Mark with serrano peppers to create a fiery drink. The Bourbon Terragon Cooler features Maker’s Mark, lime juice, agave syrup, Terragon, salt, and serrano peppers.
You can find the recipe for the Bourbon Terragon Cooler here.
Pro Tip: Experiment with infusing Maker’s Mark with different peppers to create completely new flavor profiles!
Whiskey Smash
The Whiskey Smash is the perfect combination of fun and traditional to go with just about any occasion!
This drink features Maker’s Mark, fresh mint leaves, simple syrup, lemon juice, and lemon wheels and a spring of mint for garnish.
It’s a refreshing mix of sour and sweet, a great way to spend a summer afternoon!
You can find the recipe for the Whiskey Smash here.
Pro Tip: Creating your own simple syrup is a cool way to add your own personal touch!
Bardstown Sling
The Bardstown Sling is the perfect fruity cocktail to enjoy on a hot summer’s day.
This drink calls for Maker’s Mark, peach brandy, peach puree, lemon sour, peach bitters, and a garnish of nutmeg.
Perfect in a tall Collins glass or an iced goblet, the Bardstown Sling is sure to keep you cool.
You can find the recipe for the Bardstown Sling here.
Pro Tip: Peach or lemon garnishes can serve to dress up the Bardstown Sling.
What did you think about our top 10 favorite Maker’s Mark cocktails? Did we miss any? Drop a comment below and let us know!