This Kentucky lemonade cocktail is easy to make, and is every bit as refreshing as it is beautiful! It’s also easy to make non-alcholic!
Sweet, tart, and refreshing with a bourbon kick, this Kentucky lemonade cocktail is everything you could want in a drink. It’s fun, has familiar and easy to find ingredients, and is easy to customize by making non-alcoholic if you’d prefer it that way!
We’re officially nearing the end of February, which means Spring is getting closer!! I’m ready for fun refreshing drinks, like this Kentucky lemonade cocktail!
I’m not usually one for adding things to my bourbon… I like it on the rocks and that’s it. BUT… when added to a homemade lemonade with some mint and ginger ale? Let’s just say, on the rocks is about to be my second favorite way to have bourbon 😉
There’s just something so fantastic about an ice cold glass of lemonade. And when that lemonade is homemade? Whew, it’s the BEST! Don’t be intimidated by making homemade lemonade, it’s just a simple syrup (sugar and water), plus lemon juice. Easy peasy!
Obviously this lemonade cocktail is an alcoholic drink, but if you’d prefer an alcohol free version, or want to serve it to kids, then just omit the bourbon. You could also add some additional ginger ale if you wanted to make the drink stretch a little farther.
I can’t wait to serve this up at a cookout… I know my extended family will LOVE it!! Plus, I have family from Kentucky, so it’s only natural 🙂
I also like to take fun drinks like this and add some fancy ice cubes. I actually did it for these pictures but they melted before I could get some good shots of them lol. Just take whatever ice cube tray you like (I really love these fun star shaped ones!), and add some lemon zest or chopped mint, top with water and freeze. It adds and extra element to the drink, plus an extra flavor boost!
I hope you all give this Kentucky Lemonade Cocktail a try… it really is like taking a sip of sunshine!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (from approximately 6 lemons)
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2-2/3 cup Bourbon (depending on your tastes)
- 6 cups ginger ale
- additional lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water and heat over MED heat. Heat until sugar dissolves into water and mixture is clear. Simmer 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Add lemon juice, mint leaves, and Bourbon, then let mixture cool.
- Pour mixture through a fine strainer into a large pitcher to remove solid particles and mint leaves. Add ginger ale and stir to combine. Add ice and lemon slices and serve cold.
- To serve as pictured: Add a bit of water, lemon juice or light corn syrup to a shallow plate. To another shallow plate, add coarse white sugar. Dip the open end of glasses onto the liquid plate, then onto the sugar plate to create the sugar rim. Serve drink over ice cubes, garnish with a lemon slice and sprig of mint.
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Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
elaine says
This is really really good! Each time I’ve served it at a party, my guests have asked for the recipe!
Dennis says
Fantastic drink but I recommend doubling the bourbon!
Terri McIntyre says
Sounds delicious! Perfect for the holiday weekend….and any other day
Stephanie R. says
This was such a hit! I recommend making extra of the base (everything but the ginger ale) so you can make more batches easily. Every guest wanted one on arrival and I was juicing lemons like mad woman to make more.
Paula Simon says
Can you substitute sparkling water for the gingerale?
The Chunky Chef says
Sure can 🙂
Robin Devlin says
This is so good. Since I had two oranges and two limes in the refrigerator I just added their juice as well. If you store the concentrate in the freezer, and scoop it into glasses and add the ginger ale on top, it make s a GREAT frozen slush.
Melina says
Do you think I could use ginger beer instead of ginger ale? This looks delicious!!
The Chunky Chef says
Hi Melina 🙂 I think that could be a good substitute!
Sherry says
I’m not fond of gingerale what could i use instead…maybe Sprite?
The Chunky Chef says
Yep, Sprite or even bubbly club soda would work 🙂
Sherry says
I’m going to make this for a Kentucky Derby Party so will need to make a gallon. How many servings are in this recipe?
The Chunky Chef says
Hi Sherry, this recipe makes approximately 8 cups as written.
Denise says
Silly question … wouldn’t you want the mixture to cool before adding the bourbon so as not to lose the alcohol content 😉 This looks delicious!!
The Chunky Chef says
Hi Denise 🙂 Since it’s not actively being cooked once the bourbon is added, I don’t think it loses alcohol content since this drink still has plenty of a kick… but if you wanted to wait to add the bourbon, it certainly wouldn’t hurt it 😉
Robin says
What could be used in place of the carbonated drinks I can’t have anything that is fizzy ?
The Chunky Chef says
Hi Robin 🙂 I’m not entirely sure… I suppose you could make homemade ginger ale that would be non-carbonated, or you could open the bottle of ginger ale and let it sit out open so it goes flat and the fizziness goes away?
Kathleen Calado says
Definitely need this right now especially of all the problems that I’m having. Thanks for sharing this! Keep it up.
Joscelyn Booker says
Everything I can say is WOWWWWW. I think it is perfect for everyone who has a stressful day.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
ooooo a lemonade cocktail just sounds perfect right now! These photos are beautiful!
Michelle says
This is my kind of drink! Perfect for poolside! Bring on the sun!
katerina @ diethood.com says
I need one of these right now! Looks so light and refreshing!!
Cathy Pollak says
Summer in a glass…can’t wait to try.
Laura at I Heart Naptime says
Sunshine in a glass, indeed! I could so go for one of these right now, and another mid-afternoon, then while I’m making dinner, and another ….
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
This looks so refreshing! I want one right now!
Krista says
Is it too early in the day to have one of these! They sound amazing! I can just picture me this Summer sipping on them!