Wild Turkey has put its unique take on three of the most iconic whiskey cocktails–the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned and the Whiskey Sour–to commemorate National Bourbon Heritage Month.

The three classic drinks can be made with any type of whiskey, but require one that has full flavor as a suitable match for the robust ingredients used in the drinks. Rye, with its drier and spicier flavor profile, has once again become the preferred choice of bartenders, but its increasing popularity has made it difficult to obtain in parts of the country.

Most bourbons are too sweet to stand up to the ingredients of the cocktails, so Wild Turkey Bourbon, at 101 proof, is the perfect choice. The higher proof delivers a deeper, richer flavor that fits perfectly with the drinks below. Each cocktail evokes the perfectly balanced profile that has made these drinks real classics, while tweaking them just enough to pleasantly surprise even the most seasoned cocktail enthusiast.

The Manhattan 101

Ingredients:

1 3/4 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon

1/3 ounce dry vermouth

1/3 ounce sweet vermouth

1 thin slice fresh ginger

3 mint leaves

1/2  tsp powdered sugar

Dash aromatic bitters

Muddle ginger, mint, powdered sugar and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add Wild Turkey Bourbon, vermouth and ice. Shake and strain into a chilled glass.

The Old Fashioned 101

Ingredients:

1 1/3 ounce Wild Turkey Bourbon

1/2 ounce apple cider

3 sage leaves

1 pinch of saffron

1 tsp brown sugar

2 orange twists

1 tsp orange zest

1 fresh cherry

1 ounce Amaretto

Slice cherry from top to bottom five times around pit, and soak in a cup of Amaretto. Muddle cider, sage, saffron, brown sugar, orange twists and zest together in glass. Add Wild Turkey Bourbon and stir. Strain and serve over ice, garnish with Amaretto-soaked cherry.

The Whiskey Sour 101

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon

1/2 ounce fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice

1/2 ounce honey

1 fresh cherry

1 ounce Wild Turkey American Honey

Dollop of egg white

Slice cherry from top to bottom five times around pit, and soak in a cup of Wild Turkey American Honey. Combine Wild Turkey Bourbon, grapefruit juice, lime juice and honey in a cocktail shaker.  Froth egg white and add a dollop to the mixture.  Shake and serve over ice.  Garnish with Wild Turkey American Honey-soaked cherry.

Tags: bourbon whiskey, classick, cocktails, manhattan, old fashioned, recipes, whiskey sour, Wild Turkey