7 Bourbon Cocktails Perfect For Your Labor Day BBQ

Because that most American of spirits goes great with grilled meat. 

There’s no booze more red, white and blue than bourbon. So what better way to celebrate American workers—and bid farewell to summer—than to savor some smooth-drinking bourbon cocktails at your Labor Day barbecue? After all, they go great with steaks, burgers, ribs and chops, and always kick the party into exceedingly high gear.

Check out these seven bourbon cocktails that will ensure your summer goes out with a buzz:



Bourbon and Ginger


1.5 oz. bourbon


6 oz. ginger ale


1 lime slice

Fill a tall glass with ice, add ingredients and stir. Garnish with a lime slice.


Bourbon Lemonade


1.5 oz. bourbon


1 oz. lemonade


1 lemon slice

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add ingredients and stir. Garnish with a lemon 


Bourbon Palmer


1.5 oz. bourbon


1 oz. lemonade


1 oz. iced tea


Lemon wedge for garnish

Fill a tall glass with ice, add ingredients and stir.

​Bourbon Mule

1.5 oz. bourbon

.5 oz. Ginger Beer

Fill a tall glass with ice, add bourbon and top with ginger beer.



Bourbon Sour


1.5 oz. bourbon


.75 oz. fresh lemon juice


.75 oz. simple syrup


1 cherry and 1 lemon wedge


Add bourbon, lemon juice and syrup to a shaker, and fill with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a cherry and a lemon wedge.



Bourbon Tea Punch (Makes 1 gallon)


750 ml bourbon


7 cups water


2 cups unsweetened iced tea


1 cup sugar


1 lemon peel 


Mix all ingredients and chill, garnish with a lemon peel



Perfect Peach Tea


8 oz. bourbon


16 oz. Tetley Peach Tea (from concentrate)


30 oz. spring water


In a 2-quart pitcher, combine ingredients and mix thoroughly. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a peach wedge.

Photos and recipes courtesy of Woodford Reserve Bourbon

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