Kentucky Lemonade recipe
A refreshing bourbon highball pairing zesty lemon juice, orange liqueur, and effervescent soda.
Method: Build in glass and stir ·
Glass: Chilled highball glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon (Kentucky straight bourbon)
- 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice (Juiced fresh)
- 0.5 oz Orange liqueur (Triple sec or Curaçao)
- 0.25 oz Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
- 3 oz Lemon-lime soda (Chilled, to top)
How to make a Kentucky Lemonade
- Fill a highball glass with fresh ice cubes to chill the vessel.
- Pour the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup directly into the glass.
- Top with chilled lemon-lime soda.
- Gently stir from bottom to top for five seconds to integrate ingredients without losing carbonation.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and an orange slice.
Garnish
Garnish with a lemon wheel and an orange slice placed along the inside of the glass.
Pro tip
Use a quality straight bourbon with enough backbone to stand up against the citrus and soda. Add the sparkling soda last and stir minimally to preserve maximum effervescence.
History of the Kentucky Lemonade
The Kentucky Lemonade emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as American drinking culture embraced tall, citrus-based refreshers. While popular lore often connects it directly to regional horse racing traditions and bourbon estates around Louisville, historical documentation points more broadly to the era's widespread enthusiasm for whiskey-infused lemonades. Bartenders across southern states adapted classic punch and lemonade formulas by substituting domestic whiskey for imported spirits. Today, it remains celebrated as an approachable bridge between spirit-forward bourbon drinks and effervescent summer coolers, though precise attribution to any single creator remains uncertain.
Flavour profile
citrusy, sweet, effervescent, bourbon-forward
Variations
- Tennessee Lemonade — Substitute Tennessee whiskey for bourbon and add a splash of peach liqueur.
- Blackberry Kentucky Lemonade — Muddle four fresh blackberries in the bottom of the glass before building the cocktail.
Practise making the Kentucky Lemonade in the free Virtual Bar game.