As if Kentuckians need a reason to drink bourbon, National Bourbon Day is celebrated across the nation annually on June 14th. For the past two years, Ace has celebrated with Chef Tom’s Bluegrass Breeze, a summery twist on the more traditional pairing of bourbon and ginger ale: Cheers to National Bourbon Day, Ace June 2012 and 6.14.2013 Happy National Bourbon Day Ace June 2013.
This year will celebrate the 225th anniversary of Elijah Craig’s first batch of distilled corn whiskey, aged in charred oak casks and produced in Bourbon, Kentucky, thus becoming the first batch of “true Kentucky bourbon.” It is doubtful that Elijah Craig is the sole inventor but the bourbon created in his namesake – Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon – is just one of many varieties of bourbon you can choose to celebrate another one of this country’s great holidays with.
One way to celebrate National Bourbon Day will be over at Jonathan at Gratz Park (which is sadly closing soon) who will be offering customers two ounces of whiskey for the price of one from 5 to 7:30 pm.
Chef Tom chooses Maker’s Mark to create the Bluegrass Breeze, which was the official drink of the World Equestrian Games in 2010.
A Toast to WEG with the Bluegrass Breeze, the official drink of the World Equestrian Games
Ace September 2010
Bluegrass Breeze
2 oz. Maker’s Mark bourbon whiskey
1 oz DeKuyper Orange Curacao
4 oz Ginger Ale
Garnish: Orange slice
Mix the ingredients together and pour over ice, garnished with an orange slice.
Curacao is a liqueur flavored with the dried peel of the laraha citrus fruit grown on the island of Curacao and has a bitter sweet orange flavor. It is naturally colorless, but is often artificially colored with blue or orange, with the flavor remaining the same. The bitter orange pairs beautifully with the Makers Mark and ginger ale to create a light refreshing cocktail. As refreshing as a bluegrass late summer breeze. Although the flavor is the same, the color used greatly affects the appearance of the cocktail. The orange curacao is the official chosen one, resulting in a golden amber cocktail. The more widely-used blue curacao lends a blue-ish tropical flare to the signature cocktail.
