Georgia on My Mind 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 12/3/21
Judy Bronson's Georgia On My Mind Cocktail
ALEAIMAGE/Getty Images
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Bourbon, peach, ginger, and basil make up a fantastic drink that will have you singing "Georgia On My Mind" right along with Ray Charles. It's fun, fresh, and a great whiskey cocktail, offering a new taste when you're in the mood for something different but easy at the same time.

The wonderfully flavored drink was created by Judy Bronson, a cocktail enthusiast and psychologist by trade. What's most enjoyable is that she has taken common ingredients that are easy to find and combined them in an intriguing way. The way the whiskey plays off the fresh basil and the contrast between the sweet peach nectar and snappy ginger liqueur is a delight for the taste buds. It's an unforgettable drink that you'll definitely want to share with friends.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, place the torn basil leaves and muddle well.

  3. Add the whiskey, ginger liqueur, pear nectar, and bitters. Fill the shaker with ice.

  4. Shake vigorously to chill and blend the flavors.

  5. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass.

  6. Garnish with a fresh sprig of basil. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Tearing the basil leaves speeds up the muddling process and helps release the essential oils.
  • Peach nectar is relatively easy to find. Look for it in the juice aisle of your local grocery store.
  • Four Roses makes a full line of bourbon whiskies and they really are a great choice for this cocktail. The flagship of the brand, known as "Yellow Label," is an affordable Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that's excellent for everyday mixing. You can also try out their Small Batch or Single Barrel for a nice upgrade.

Recipe Variations

  • For a cocktail that's a little lighter on the alcohol but not on the taste, use a ginger syrup rather than the liqueur.
  • Give the drink a touch of sparkle by adding a splash of club soda or ginger ale.
  • If you feel like a simple DIY project, replace the peach nectar in this recipe with the pecan peach water from the sweet meat cocktail. The additional flavors of pecan and honey will work very well against the ginger.

How Strong Is a Georgia on My Mind?

This cocktail is similar in strength to the whiskey Manhattan, though it is a touch lighter. When mixed up with the recommended brands, the alcohol content falls right around 21 percent ABV (42 proof). It may have the sweet taste of peaches, but it's a powerful drink.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
227 Calories
0g Fat
16g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 227
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 16mg 79%
Calcium 76mg 6%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 148mg 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.)