Strawberry Basil Bourbon Cocktail: A Summer Delight

A summer bourbon cocktail? Yes, please! A fine whiskey sips like cognac, so bring it on straight as far as some of us are concerned. A few drops of water, a swirl, and we’re good to go.

But for those that prefer a whiskey beverage enhanced with refreshing summer flavors, small batch whiskey maker Cedar Ridge of Iowa has a great recipe. Iowa? It makes sense. By definition, bourbon is made from at least 51% corn fermented grain mash. Iowa produces the largest corn crop in the United States, so when you think about it, it’s a perfect fit.

A good quality bourbon is essential, of course, such as Iowa’s Cedar Ridge, from the oldest and largest distillery in the state. Opened in Swisher, Iowa in 2005 by Jeff and Laurie Quint, it was one of the first craft whiskey distilleries in the United States. (Yes, the industry is that young.) Cedar Ridge now boasts a tasting room, a restaurant, and an event center which hosts 65,000 visitors per year. They’ve won numerous awards for bourbon, rye, single malt, and wheat whiskies, including most recently beating out 1300 craft whiskey makers nationally to be named the American Distilling Institute’s 2017 “Distillery of the Year.”

Nicole Thien of Uniquely Women developed this luscious strawberry and herb-infused bourbon cocktail she makes with Cedar Ridge’s double gold medal-winning bourbon:

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