Refreshing strawberry bourbon cocktail recipe! A simple strawberry whiskey cocktail with orange perfect for sipping on a hot day.
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Hi, Rhubarbarians! This strawberry bourbon cocktail is a refreshing, warm weather cocktail that you'll want to sip on all spring and summer long.
This simple, fruity drink is the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with the depth of flavor from the bourbon complementing the bright and tangy flavor from the strawberry.
I'll show you how to make one step-by-step, including tips for selecting the best bourbon, preparing the cocktail, and serving it up in style.
Whether you're hosting an outdoor gathering or just looking for a delicious and easy cocktail to enjoy at home that highlights the season's ingredients, this 3-ingredient recipe is sure to impress.
You'll love this refreshing grapefruit strawberry mojito next!
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When are strawberries in season? Peak season typically lasts from late spring through summer in the northern hemisphere.
Why you'll love this
The combination of sweet, juicy strawberries and rich, smoky bourbon creates a delicious and unexpected flavor profile that is perfect for spring and summer. The orange juice brightens the cocktail, making it an amazing, ice cold warm weather drink.
This bold and flavorful strawberry whiskey cocktail is made with only 3 ingredients! Nothing fancy, just strawberry, orange, and bourbon. Add ice and cheers!
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Ingredients and equipment
Here is everything you need to make the perfect strawberry orange cocktail at home! Full ingredient amounts with instructions are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this article
Ingredients:
- Strawberry: sweet, ripe strawberries if available.
- Orange: you'll need freshly squeezed orange juice. One medium orange should yield about 2 ounces of juice.
- Bourbon: choose a bourbon that you love!
- Ice: any type of ice will work.
- Strawberry and orange for garnish: I like to use a whole strawberry wrapped with an orange slice as shown in the photos. Garnish is entirely optional.
Equipment:
- Small kitchen knife: for hulling and slicing the strawberries and slicing the orange.
- Cutting board: also for cutting the strawberries and orange.
- Cocktail glass: low ball cocktail glass or other glass of your choice. These vintage style cocktail glasses are fabulous!
- Muddler: for muddling the strawberries. You could also use the back of a wooden spoon.
- Jigger: or other item to measure out the liquid.
Step by step instructions
Here are step by step instructions to help you make this strawberry bourbon cocktail perfectly at home. Full instructions with ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this article
- Hull and quarter the strawberries with a sharp knife.
- Place the strawberries in a cocktail glass and muddle them.
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Pour the orange juice and the bourbon over the ice.
- Stir to combine.
- Enjoy!
Serving suggestions
Whether you're hosting and need a signature cocktail, or enjoying happy hour at home, this drink is sure to please!
- Garnish with fresh fruit: add a fresh strawberry and some orange slices as a garnish! Not only does it make the cocktail look gorgeous, strawberries and oranges are great for snacking on during warm weather happy hour.
- Prepare for a gathering: Have a bowl of strawberries already hulled and sliced and mix together a large amount of the orange juice and bourbon ahead of time. Then guests can quickly make their own cocktail by muddling strawberries, adding the bourbon orange juice mixture, and garnishing.
- Pair with a cheese plate or charcuterie plate: the flavors of a strawberry bourbon cocktail pair well with creamy, slightly tangy cheeses like goat cheese or brie.
- Serve with dessert: This cocktail's fruity flavor makes it a wonderful addition to desserts like strawberry shortcake, chocolate mousse, or vanilla ice cream.
Recipe tips and substitutions
- Adjust the sweetness: to make the cocktail sweeter, muddle the strawberries with one teaspoon of sugar or a sugar cube.
- Adjust the bitterness: add a few dashes of bitters to your cocktail if you'd like.
- Pick your favorite bourbon: a sweeter bourbon like Maker's Mark will give your cocktail a richer flavor, while a smokier bourbon like Bulleit will add a nice depth of flavor.
- Swap for whiskey: if you don't have bourbon, you can swap for rye or Irish whiskey.
- Use frozen strawberries: Fresh strawberries will yield the best flavor, but frozen is a great option! Be sure to thaw them completely before using.
- Swap the citrus: swap the orange juice for lemon, lime, or even grapefruit juice if you'd like. You may need to add some sweetener to your drink.
- Add herbs: fresh mint or basil leaves muddled with the strawberries or added as a garnish would be delightful.
- Add some bubbles: top off your glass with soda water for a refreshing, bubbly cocktail.
- Don't have a muddler? Go ahead and use the back of a wooden spoon.
FAQs
This depends on your personal preference! I recommend using a high quality bourbon with a balanced flavor that won't overpower the sweetness of the strawberries. Recommended bourbons include Marker's Mark, Bulleit, and Buffalo Trace.
Sure! You can muddle thawed frozen strawberries for this cocktail, however fresh strawberries will be brighter and fresher in flavor.
Sure! The flavor profile will change and you may want to add some sugar to your muddled strawberries. Try lime or even grapefruit too!
More warm weather bourbon cocktails to try:
Check out this list of spring whiskey cocktails or summer whiskey cocktails to sip on all spring and summer!
Did you make this recipe? Leave us a review and star rating in the comments below! We read every single review and appreciate your feedback.
Recipe
Strawberry bourbon cocktail with orange
Ingredients
- 2 medium fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 oz bourbon
- ice
- strawberry and orange slice for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the strawberries in a low ball cocktail. Muddle until well mashed.
- Fill your glass with ice and then top with the orange juice and bourbon. Gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with fresh strawberry and sliced orange (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness: to make the cocktail sweeter, muddle the strawberries with one teaspoon of sugar or a sugar cube.
- Adjust the bitterness: add a few dashes of bitters to your cocktail if you'd like.
- Pick your favorite bourbon: a sweeter bourbon like Maker's Mark will give your cocktail a richer flavor, while a smokier bourbon like Bulleit will add a nice depth of flavor.
- Swap for whiskey: if you don't have bourbon, you can swap for rye or Irish whiskey.
- Use frozen strawberries: Fresh strawberries will yield the best flavor, but frozen is a great option! Be sure to thaw them completely before using.
- Swap the citrus: swap the orange juice for lemon, lime, or even grapefruit juice if you'd like. You may need to add some sweetener to your drink.
- Add herbs: fresh mint or basil leaves muddled with the strawberries or added as a garnish would be delightful.
- Add some bubbles: top off your glass with soda water for a refreshing, bubbly cocktail.
- Don't have a muddler? Go ahead and use the back of a wooden spoon.
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, please let us know on social media or in the comments below! Leave a star rating in your comment or tag us on Instagram with #Rhubarbarians
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Jerod Togger
I added 8 dashes angostura bitters 4 bar spoons simple syrup and 4 leafs sweet mint to the glass. Cut the bourbon down in half and use quality bourbon and a high proof