Loretto Lemonade

Forget about that other lemonade cocktail, made with Tennessee whiskey. This bourbon-kissed lemonade will have you longing to visit the hills of Loretto, Kentucky on a summer day!

This Loretto Lemonade is perfect for patio sipping

Let me start by saying I have nothing against Tennessee. It's a lovely place to visit and I truly enjoy it. But as I've shared before, I'm from the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and there's nothing better than Kentucky bourbon for a refreshing summertime cocktail.

There's another tasty beverage made in Kentucky - Ale-8. Based in Winchester, Kentucky, Ale-8 has some of the most refreshing soft drinks around, and continues to expand their offerings. But for this cocktail, we're going with the classic Ale-8 (or the zero-sugar version) - a little bit of ginger, a little bit of citrus and an effervescent profile you can't resist.

Kentucky-based ingredients make the Loretto Lemonade an absolute must-have on the patio.

So why "Loretto Lemonade"? Because I'm mixing up this cocktail with our house favorite, Maker's Mark, located in Loretto, Kentucky. If you get a chance to visit and take a tour, don't pass it up. In the meantime, enjoy their bourbon in this bright, summertime cocktail.

Loretto Lemonade

Ingredients (makes 1 cocktail)

• 1 oz Maker's Mark (or other Kentucky bourbon)

• 1 oz Triple Sec

• 1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice

• 1/2 oz simple syrup

• Dash of orange bitters

• 4 oz Ale-8 One (or Ale-8 Zero Sugar)*

• Mint and lemon slices to garnish
  

Mix it Up

1. Fill a shaker or mixing glass with ice. Add the bourbon, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup and orange bitters to the shaker. Shake well, at least 30 seconds, so the drink is well-chilled.

2. Use a strainer and pour the drink into a cocktail glass or tall highball glass. Add ice.

3. Pour the Ale-8 into the glass and mix gently.

4. Add the garnishes.

Raise your glass to the great state of Kentucky! (Or whatever else you're celebrating.)

*If you don't have Ale-8 in your grocery store, you can also use lemon-lime soda, or sparkling lemonade.