This Kentucky lemonade cocktail is easy to make, and is every bit as refreshing as it is beautiful! Â It’s also easy to make non-alcholic!
Sweet, tart, and refreshing with a bourbon kick, this Kentucky lemonade cocktail is everything you could want in a drink. Â It’s fun, has familiar and easy to find ingredients, and is easy to customize by making non-alcoholic if you’d prefer it that way!
We’re officially nearing the end of February, which means Spring is getting closer!! Â I’m ready for fun refreshing drinks, like this Kentucky lemonade cocktail!
I’m not usually one for adding things to my bourbon… I like it on the rocks and that’s it.  BUT… when added to a homemade lemonade with some mint and ginger ale?  Let’s just say, on the rocks is about to be my second favorite way to have bourbon 😉
There’s just something so fantastic about an ice cold glass of lemonade. Â And when that lemonade is homemade? Â Whew, it’s the BEST! Â Don’t be intimidated by making homemade lemonade, it’s just a simple syrup (sugar and water), plus lemon juice. Â Easy peasy!
Obviously this lemonade cocktail is an alcoholic drink, but if you’d prefer an alcohol free version, or want to serve it to kids, then just omit the bourbon. Â You could also add some additional ginger ale if you wanted to make the drink stretch a little farther.
I can’t wait to serve this up at a cookout… I know my extended family will LOVE it!!  Plus, I have family from Kentucky, so it’s only natural 🙂
I also like to take fun drinks like this and add some fancy ice cubes. Â I actually did it for these pictures but they melted before I could get some good shots of them lol. Â Just take whatever ice cube tray you like (I really love these fun star shaped ones!), and add some lemon zest or chopped mint, top with water and freeze. Â It adds and extra element to the drink, plus an extra flavor boost!
I hope you all give this Kentucky Lemonade Cocktail a try… it really is like taking a sip of sunshine!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (from approximately 6 lemons)
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2-2/3 cup Bourbon (depending on your tastes)
- 6 cups ginger ale
- additional lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water and heat over MED heat. Heat until sugar dissolves into water and mixture is clear. Simmer 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Add lemon juice, mint leaves, and Bourbon, then let mixture cool.
- Pour mixture through a fine strainer into a large pitcher to remove solid particles and mint leaves. Add ginger ale and stir to combine. Add ice and lemon slices and serve cold.
- To serve as pictured: Add a bit of water, lemon juice or light corn syrup to a shallow plate. To another shallow plate, add coarse white sugar. Dip the open end of glasses onto the liquid plate, then onto the sugar plate to create the sugar rim. Serve drink over ice cubes, garnish with a lemon slice and sprig of mint.
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Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Seb says
Received friends with this recipe. It was a complete success!
MMD says
Can you just use already made lemonade rather than making it yourself?
The Chunky Chef says
Yes, you could use pre-made 🙂
Blitzo says
Wow! sounds good…We enjoy this healthy lemonade.
maureen says
Can I use vodka instead of bourbon?
The Chunky Chef says
I haven’t tested this recipe using vodka, since it’s a bourbon recipe, but if you do some experimenting, I’d love to know how it turns out 🙂
Tony says
I have a question I’m about to solve myself as I’m out of cola but not out of bourbon. I have some sparkling lemon drink from a very large Italian sparkling water company. It’s sweet btw. I’m going to try this mix and see how it shapes out, wish me luck and a good tasting beverage.
Tony says
I do not regret this at all!!! Bourban and San pellegrino limonata. Whatever mix you choose, oh my gosh is this good.
Lisalen says
I halved the recipe for my husband and I. Â Loved it on hot summer day!