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Sean Martin
5 from 2 votes
Mar 13, 2020, Updated Jun 22, 2023
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We love Bourbon co*cktails in our house and this one just made it to the top of the list. A Grilled Lemon simple syrup is the base, then we add our favorite bourbon and a few dashes of cherry bitters. It’s an easy bourbon co*cktail recipe and one that will impress anyone.
Table of Contents
- How to Make Simple Syrup
- Bitters for a Bourbon co*cktail
- Making the Bourbon co*cktail
- Other Great co*cktails
- Bourbon co*cktail Recipe with Grilled Lemon Simple Syrup
This co*cktail is perfect, whether looking for a summer bourbon co*cktail, or just something creative while grilling outside. I say that because it is so easy to make. All you need are the grilled lemons and some bourbon. Add a touch of bitters to make the co*cktail pop.
- We start with grilled lemons and use those to make a simple syrup.
- We then make the co*cktail with the simple syrup as the base.
Or you can use the same base for a classic grilled whiskey smash co*cktail.
How to Make Simple Syrup
A typical simple syrup uses a ratio of 1 part water to 1 part sugar.
In this case we modify to include the water and the grilled lemon juice. Because of the natural sugars from the lemon, we also reduce the sugar of a typical simple syrup so it doesn’t come out too overly sweet. Start with our guide on how to grill lemons for the juice and use as base for simple syrup.
The ratio for the Grilled Lemon Simple Syrup is:
- 1 part water
- 1 part grilled lemon juice
- 3/4 part sugar
The sugar will dissolve and sweeten the liquid for any co*cktail or beverage.
Simply add the water, grilled lemon juice, and sugar to a small sauce pan over medium heat, stir to incorporate and then cool it down. Store in the fridge for a week or up to 10 days.
Bitters for a Bourbon co*cktail
There are many options for bitters. Bitters are a botanically infused liqueur that take on a specific flavor profile to enhance a co*cktail. In the case of this one, we use cherry bitters. Any fruit based bitters will work.
Making the Bourbon co*cktail
With any co*cktail you can either make in a shaker or in the glass and stir. For this one we mix directly in the glass for each drink.
- Place 3 ice cubes (or a large co*cktail cube, using a mold like this) in a low ball glass.
- Add 2 1/2 ounces of bourbon and 2 1/2 ounces of grilled lemon simple syrup.
- Add three dashes of bitters.
- Stir and enjoy.
For an easy bourbon co*cktail, it doesn’t get better than this. And it is worth the extra step of grilling the lemons.
Other Great co*cktails
- Hot Toddy
- Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider
- Smoked Old Fashioned
- Mulled Wine
About Vindulge
Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.
Now on 2nd edition
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5 from 2 votes
Bourbon co*cktail Recipe with Grilled Lemon Simple Syrup
By Mary Cressler | Vindulge
Grilled lemons infused into a simple syrup and mixed with bourbon and bitters. A great summer co*cktail.
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 1 co*cktails
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Ingredients
Grilled Lemon Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup grilled lemon juice
- ⅔ cup cane sugar
Bourbon co*cktail (Individual co*cktail Portions)
- 3 cubes ice
- 2 ½ ounces bourbon
- 2 ½ ounces lemon simple syrup
- 3 dashes cherry bitters
Instructions
Simple Syrup
In a small sauce pan over medium heat combine the water, grilled lemon juice, and sugar. Simmer and stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves (about 10 minutes).
Remove from heat and let cool. Store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
For the Bourbon co*cktail
In a low ball glass, add ice cubes. Using a co*cktail jigger add bourbon and simple syrup to the glass and 3 dashes of the bitters. Stir and enjoy.
Notes
The simple syrup yields 2 cups of grilled lemon simple syrup and should be good for up to 6 total co*cktails.
Nutrition
Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 46mg | Sugar: 52g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Author: Mary Cressler | Vindulge
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Course: co*cktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 co*cktails
Calories: 369
Keyword: best bourbon co*cktails, bourbon co*cktail, bourbon co*cktail recipes, bourbon co*cktails, summer bourbon co*cktails
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Categorized as:
co*cktails, Grilling, Recipes
Vindulge
About Mary
I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!
About Me
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