Kentucky Maid recipe
A refreshing modern classic cocktail combining bourbon with fresh cucumber, mint, and lime juice.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Rocks Glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
- 3 slices Cucumber
- 8 leaves Fresh Mint
How to make a Kentucky Maid
- Place the cucumber slices and fresh mint leaves into a cocktail shaker.
- Add the simple syrup and gently muddle to release the botanical oils and juices.
- Pour in the bourbon and fresh lime juice, then fill the shaker with ice cubes.
- Shake vigorously for ten to twelve seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain the mixture over crushed ice into a chilled rocks glass and garnish.
Garnish
Garnish with a cucumber wheel and mint sprig.
Pro tip
Muddle the cucumber and mint gently rather than aggressively to prevent bitterness from extracting into the cocktail.
History of the Kentucky Maid
Created in 2005 by acclaimed bartender Sam Ross at Milk & Honey in New York City, this drink belongs to the modern maid family of cocktails. It brilliantly adapts traditional sour structures by introducing muddled garden produce for a vibrant, crisp profile.
Flavour profile
Refreshing, Minty, Crisp, Citrusy
Variations
- London Maid — Substitute gin for the bourbon to create a botanical and herbaceous profile.
- Irish Maid — Use Irish whiskey in place of bourbon for a lighter, fruitier character.
- Mexican Maid — Swap the bourbon for blanco tequila and add a pinch of salt.
Practise making the Kentucky Maid in the free Virtual Bar game.