Updated on: 6/3/2025
Creative Twists on a Classic Bourbon Lemonade
Bourbon lemonade stands as a refreshing summer staple, but its structure welcomes a wealth of creative spins. By combining the core trio—fresh lemon juice, bourbon, and a touch of sweetness—with various fruits, herbs, and effervescent additions, you can craft vivid versions for every mood or gathering. Explore these inspired riffs for your next pitcher or glass.
Bourbon Lemonade Slush: Icy, Fun, and Party-Ready
Transform the classic into an adult-friendly frozen treat. Perfect for sunny afternoons, this icy version keeps bourbon lemonade as vivid and zesty as ever.
- 60 ml bourbon
- 45 ml fresh lemon juice
- 30 ml simple syrup
- 200 ml ice (about 1 cup, crushed)
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and frosty.
- Pour into a chilled highball or rocks glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or mint sprig.
Sparkling Bourbon Lemonade: Effervescent Brightness
A bubbly pour of soda water or prosecco breathes freshness and spirit into bourbon lemonade, raising it from backyard sipper to lively celebration.
- 50 ml bourbon
- 35 ml fresh lemon juice
- 20 ml honey or simple syrup
- Top with 80–100 ml chilled club soda or prosecco
- Shake bourbon, lemon, and honey with ice.
- Strain into a collins glass filled with ice.
- Top with chilled soda water or prosecco and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Peach Bourbon Lemonade: Summer’s Southern Favorite
Ripe, juicy peaches lend bourbon lemonade a fruity sweetness and sunlit color. For best results, use fresh or quality peach purée.
- 50 ml bourbon
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 30 ml peach purée or nectar
- 20 ml simple syrup
- Shake all ingredients well with ice.
- Fine strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a peach slice or basil leaf for a southern accent.
Blueberry Bourbon Lemonade: Tart and Colorful
Blueberries add a sharp burst of tartness to the drink, plus an eye-catching shade of indigo. A few muddled berries or quality syrup can dramatically change both the flavor and the look.
- 50 ml bourbon
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 20 ml blueberry syrup or muddled blueberries
- 20 ml simple syrup (if using fresh berries)
- If using fresh berries, muddle 20–30 blueberries with simple syrup in the shaker.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice.
- Shake hard and fine strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice.
- Garnish with a skewer of blueberries.
Strawberry Bourbon Lemonade: Juicy and Crowd-Pleasing
Strawberries bring approachable, juicy sweetness and a blushing hue to bourbon lemonade. Their high water and sugar content integrates easily into the cocktail with a few shakes.
- 50 ml bourbon
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 30 ml strawberry purée or muddled ripe strawberries
- 20 ml simple syrup
- Muddle 2–3 ripe strawberries with simple syrup in the shaker if not using purée.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice.
- Shake briskly; fine strain into a stemless wine glass over crushed ice.
- Garnish with a halved strawberry or fresh mint.
Herb, Spice, and Presentation Variations
Once fruit has been explored, an extra layer of nuance comes from herbal and spiced infusions or garnishes. Try muddling a few fresh basil leaves, adding a dash of ginger syrup, or lining a glass rim with chili sugar for bold effect. Elegant highball glasses, mason jars, or even copper mugs shift the look and feel, while a simple twist of citrus adds classic polish.
- Add 5 ml ginger syrup for heat and complexity.
- Muddle a few basil or mint leaves with syrup before shaking.
- Rim the glass with chili sugar or smoked sea salt for contrast.
- Include edible flowers as a finishing flourish.