Preakness

The Preakness race is this weekend in Baltimore and this is the cocktail with the same name. So the Preakness is in the same league as the Belmont Stakes and the Mint Julep Something about big horse races just requires bourbon. That's why I chose Basil Hayden's straight bourbon instead of the blended whiskey that the recipe calls for. 

Sweet vermouth is a prominent feature of this drink. Benedictine is a good friend to bourbon, and the teaspoon of this French herbal liqueur really caps the whole experience.

• 2 oz. blended whiskey (Basil Hayden's straight bourbon used)
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth
• 1 tsp. Benedictine
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• lemon twist

Combine all ingredients except twist in a mixing glass full of ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist lemon peel over the glass and drop it in. 

Byrrh Manhattan

I said I'd be making cocktails with Byrrh when I got the chance. This is an experimental Manhattan with the rye-forward Basil Hayden's bourbon. I used Byrrh and a quinine-heavy Antica Formula vermouth and Hella Aromatic bitters. The combination was a huge sock in the mouth. Byrrh adds to the aged characteristics of the Manhattan, and even gives it an aroma of violets! I guess when you have a bottle of Byrrh, you have to get a little crazy to find uses for it.

• 3 oz. Basil Hayden's bourbon
• 1/2 oz. Byrrh Quinquina
• 1/2 oz. Antica Formula vermouth
• maraschino cherry

Combine all ingredients except cherry in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cherry. 

Trilby

A bittersweet Manhattan-like cocktail, the Trilby is best made with the finest ingredients. Basil Hayden bourbon is rye-heavy and spicy, as is Antica Formula vermouth. Throw in several dashes of Angostura bitters and you have a complex and tasty before dinner cocktail that's good looking and luxurious to drink.

• 3 oz. bourbon (Basil Hayden used)
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth (Antica Formula used)
• several dashes of Angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a cocktail glass. (Coup glass shown).

Whirlaway

This is a funny name for a bourbon drink. It does make for a nice long drink that is plenty strong to suit most bourbon drinkers. Despite the addition of a whole ounce of triple sec, the predominant flavors are bourbon and bitters. I used Basil Hayden's bourbon for its higher rye component that makes it drier and less sour than Maker's Mark.

• 2 oz. bourbon
• 1 oz. triple sec
• several dashes Angostura bitters
• club soda

Combine all ingredients except soda in a highball glass with ice. Stir until chilled and top with soda.

Blizzard

This drink must belong to a small family of southern style drinks named after storms. I mean the Hurricane and the Blizzard. You'd never guess how well cranberry juice mixes with bourbon. I suppose that is because cranberry juice is mostly apple juice when you buy it for drinking, not from concentrate. Otherwise it would be too tart, right.

Basil Hayden's is a light and spicy bourbon made from a higher component of rye in the mash than, say, Maker's Mark, which is pretty sweet tasting. Choose any bourbon you like for the Blizzard, it really takes the bite out of any strong flavors.

• 3 oz. bourbon
•  2 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a shaker or blender with ice. Shake or blend and pour into a chilled highball glass.