Kentucky Kiss Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/9/21
Kentucky Kiss Strawberry cocktail

Alejandro Rivera/Getty Images

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Sweet strawberries and bourbon come together to create the lovely Kentucky kiss cocktail. This recipe is very easy and makes a wonderful addition to Valentine's Day. It's also a nice option for summer when the berries are at their best, especially if they're out of your own garden.

The recipe comes from Maker's Mark and is designed to feature that classic bourbon. It's a good choice because the whiskey's use of red winter wheat makes it naturally softer, richer, and sweeter than most. With that foundation, you'll add fresh strawberries, some tart lemon, and the richness of maple syrup. Finish it off with just a touch of soda and you have an intriguing strawberry cocktail to tantalize the taste buds.

Ingredients

  • 2 large fresh strawberries, sliced

  • 1/2 ounce lemon juice

  • 1/2 ounce maple syrup

  • 2 ounces bourbon whiskey

  • 1 splash club soda

  • Fresh strawberry, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In an old-fashioned glass, add the strawberries, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Muddle well, until the berries are mashed.

  3. Add the bourbon and fill the glass with ice. Stir well.

  4. Add a splash of club soda.

  5. Garnish with a strawberry. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Slicing strawberries makes them easier to muddle. The easiest way to prepare them is to rinse them, remove the green part, then cut them into three pieces lengthwise.
  • You can use frozen strawberries as well. Make sure to thaw them first.
  • Fresh lemon juice is definitely recommended. To get the 1/2 ounce needed, you should be able to simply squeeze half a lemon directly into the glass.
  • Use real maple syrup rather than pancake syrup for the best drink. In a pinch, you can even make mock maple syrup with white and brown sugars, water, butter, and maple (or vanilla) extract.

Recipe Variations

  • You can also make this drink in a cocktail shaker, shake it with ice, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.
  • Skip the muddle if you prefer and use 1 ounce of strawberry puree rather than the fresh strawberries. This version is best when shaken and strained. It can be served on the rocks or up.

How Strong Is a Kentucky Kiss Cocktail?

It may be sweet and fruity, but this is not a light drink, especially when it's made with a 90-proof whiskey. Though just an estimate, the cocktail's alcohol content could easily max out at 22 percent ABV (44 proof), or nearly half of the bourbon on its own. While that's lighter than popular whiskey cocktails like the Manhattan and old-fashioned, it definitely has a kick.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
185 Calories
0g Fat
15g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 185
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 34mg 170%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 130mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)