By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on June 9, 2023 | Last Updated on November 27, 2023
Did you ever try the most popular slush from Kentucky? If not, we suggest you try it right away. The Kentucky bourbon slush is a mix of flavorful ingredients. The unique thing about this drink is that its sweetness comes from the fruit juices, while the flavor comes from its main ingredient – bourbon! It’s easy to make and tastes delicious.
Here I will explain the recipe and how to make it step by step. The taste of the drink changes according to the choice of bourbon you use.
What Is Kentucky bourbon slush?
Kentucky bourbon slush is a frozen cocktail made from an ice-cold mix of lemonade concentrate, orange juice concentrate, tea, sugar, and the main ingredient – bourbon.
This combination of ingredients creates a unique sweet-tart flavor that’s perfect for any occasion.
It is suitable for special occasions, parties, and summer gatherings as it can be easily made in bulk. It’s simple, and hassle-free, and your guests will surely love it!
Where Did I First Try Kentucky bourbon slush?
I first tried the Kentucky bourbon slush in Derby Café & Bourbon Bar at Kentucky Derby Museum. This is a place where you can experience the beauty of the horse racing track with some amazing drinks and food in town. No wonder they have their signature drink, the Kentucky bourbon slush which I was lucky to try that day.
The recipe has been crafted by the master mixologists at Derby Café & Bourbon Bar so it had that extra special touch to it. The first lick of the slush was great! I felt as if I was tasting something out of this world. The blend of bourbon, lemonade, and orange juice concentrate created a tangy, sweet flavor.
The tea added a smoothness to the drink while the sugar made it even more palatable. The best part was the chill factor, which made it an ideal summer drink. The ice-coldness of the slush was so refreshing that I couldn’t help but feel rejuvenated after every sip!
I definitely recommend this drink to anyone looking for something special and unique to spice up their next party or gathering.
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Ingredients
- Lemonade Concentrate: Some lemonade concentrates are essential to get that tart and sour taste.
- Orange Juice Concentrate: Orange juice concentrate adds depth of flavor and sweetness to balance out the tartness of the lemonade concentrate.
- Bourbon: The main ingredient, bourbon is what gives this slush its unique flavor; it’s important to choose a good quality one for the best results.
- Sugar: This helps to balance out the tartness of the lemonade and orange juice concentrate and makes it even more palatable.
- Tea Bags: Tea bags are used to add a smoothness to the drink while also bringing out its flavor.
- Ginger ale: For serving, you will need some ginger ale to pour over the slush.
- Water: Water is used to cool down the mixture and make it slushy.
Cooking Directions
Step 1
Take a small saucepan and pour the lemonade concentrate, orange juice concentrate, sugar, and 6 cups of water into it. Boil the mixture on medium heat, stirring continuously until all the ingredients are blended together and a syrup-like consistency is reached.
Step 2
Remove from heat and let the syrup cool down for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, stir in the bourbon, the remaining 3 cups of water, and tea bags.
Step 3
After mixing everything well, pour the syrup into a large container and place it in your freezer overnight or until frozen solid.
Step 4
Once frozen, break up the mixture using a fork or spoon until it has a slushy consistency. Serve the slush in glasses and pour ginger ale over it. Add some ice cubes for extra chill, if needed.
Tips
• Always use good quality bourbon for the best tasting results.
• If you want a stronger taste, add more bourbon to the recipe.
• To make it even sweeter, add some more sugar or honey to the mixture.
• You can also add some other fruits or juices like pineapple or cranberry juice if you like.
• Freeze the mixture overnight for a more icy texture.
• Add some ice cubes for extra chill, if needed.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
- If you want to make a non-alcoholic version of the drink, replace the bourbon with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
- You can also use an alternative sweetener like honey, agave syrup, or even maple syrup in place of sugar for a healthier and more natural sweetness.
- If you want to substitute the tea bags for green or black tea, you can do so as well.
- Additionally, you can try out different juices like cranberry juice or pineapple juice for a unique flavor profile.
- Finally, if you don’t have access to lemonade or orange juice concentrate, you can use fresh-squeezed lemons and oranges instead.
Kentucky Bourbon Slush Recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Large container
- Freezer
- Glasses
Ingredients
- 1.5 black tea bags steeped to perfection, lending a deep and aromatic infusion.
- 1 cup of sweet and granulated sugar adding a delightful sweetness to balance the flavors.
- 1 liter of sparkling and effervescent ginger ale chilled to perfection, creating a fizzy and invigorating finish.
- 4.5 cups of crisp and pure water ensuring a refreshing and hydrating base.
- 1 cup of smooth and robust bourbon providing a rich and distinctive taste.
- 6 ounces of refreshing and tangy frozen lemonade concentrate adding a burst of citrusy flavor.
- 3 ounces of zesty and vibrant frozen orange juice concentrate infusing a sunny and tropical twist.
Instructions
- Take a small saucepan and pour the lemonade concentrate, orange juice concentrate, sugar, and 6 cups of water into it. Boil the mixture on medium heat, stirring continuously until all the ingredients are blended together and a syrup-like consistency is reached.
- Remove from heat and let the syrup cool down for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, stir in the bourbon, the remaining 3 cups of water, and tea bags.
- After mixing everything well, pour the syrup into a large container and place it in your freezer overnight or until frozen solid.
- Once frozen, break up the mixture using a fork or spoon until it has a slushy consistency. Serve the slush in glasses and pour ginger ale over it. Add some ice cubes for extra chill, if needed.
Notes
- Always use good quality bourbon for the best tasting results.
- If you want a stronger taste, add more bourbon to the recipe.
- To make it even sweeter, add some more sugar or honey to the mixture.
- You can also add some other fruits or juices like pineapple or cranberry juice if you like.
- Freeze the mixture overnight for a more icy texture.
- Add some ice cubes for extra chill, if needed.
Nutrition Information
A Cup of Kentucky bourbon slush contains an estimated number of calories as follows:
- Calories – 159.8
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Cholesterol – 0 mg
- Sodium – 3.2 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 40.9 g
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g
- Protein – 0.2 g
This is an approximate nutrition information and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
How to Store Leftover Kentucky bourbon slush?
Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for up to two days. You can also freeze the slush if you want to keep it longer, up to one month. To reheat it, simply defrost it overnight in the fridge and mix until smooth before serving.
Besides, you can also pre-make and freeze the slush in batches for future use. To serve, defrost one batch as needed.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
It is not recommended to consume alcohol when pregnant. If you want to enjoy this slush without the alcohol, replace the bourbon with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, you can pre-make and freeze the slush in batches for future use. To serve, defrost one batch as needed.
Is it Veggie-Friendly?
Yes, Kentucky bourbon slush is vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
Can I make this drink with other alcohols like rum or vodka?
Yes, you can use different kinds of alcohol to make this slushy cocktail. Just replace the bourbon with your desired liquor for a stronger taste.
Wrapping Up
Kentucky bourbon slush is ready to make at any time if everything is in one place. It has a unique sweet-tart flavor that’s perfect for any occasion. The best part is that you can customize it according to your taste preference by adding different fruits, juices, and sweeteners.
As you have seen making this slush is very easy, so why not give it a try the next time you’re looking for something special? And remember to store and reheat it properly to ensure the best results.
Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family too.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
