Kentucky Colonel recipe
A rich bourbon and Bénédictine stir that channels southern heritage.
Method: Stirred ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 oz Bénédictine D.O.M.
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
How to make a Kentucky Colonel
- Add the bourbon, Bénédictine, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir thoroughly for 30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the oils from the lemon peel twist over the surface of the drink and discard or drop it in.
Garnish
Lemon peel twist
Pro tip
Use a robust bottled-in-bond bourbon to stand up to the rich herbal sweetness of the Bénédictine.
History of the Kentucky Colonel
Appearing in early 20th-century mixology manuals like Jacques Straub's 1914 drinks volume, the exact creator remains obscure, though the recipe evolved as a sophisticated bourbon-forward relative of the classic Old Fashioned. Modern bartenders still keep Kentucky Colonel in circulation because the recipe shows a clear point of view without needless decoration.
Flavour profile
Rich, Herbal, Complex
Variations
- Orange Twist Variation — Substitute the lemon twist for an orange peel and add an extra dash of orange bitters.
- Rye Colonel — Swap the bourbon for high-rye whiskey to add spicy backbone and dry out the herbal sweetness.
- Cognac Colonel — Replace the bourbon with a dry French cognac for a European-influenced spin on the classic structure.
Practise making the Kentucky Colonel in the free Virtual Bar game.