Recipe: Instructions for how to make the best Kentucky bourbon slush
READ MORE
Get to know Kentucky bourbon
Click below to help you navigate all things bourbon, whether you’re a beginner or you want to dig deeper.
Expand All
Beginners guide: How to drink Kentucky bourbon whiskey
Tips: How to buy Buffalo Trace premium Kentucky bourbon at the best price
Kentucky bourbon buying guide: Tips on what to buy and not get scammed online
Guide: Tips on how to properly pour, drink Kentucky bourbon
Recipe: Instructions for how to make the best Kentucky bourbon slush
Whether it’s a hot summer day, a festive holiday party or a tailgate on The Hill at Keeneland, there’s nothing as refreshing as an icy bourbon slush.
There are many variations of the alcoholic drink recipe but this one, handed down and shared for generations by my in-laws, is a simple one. It’s made with eight ingredients, highlighted by Kentucky bourbon, of course. You can use premium bourbon but any whiskey will do. The step-by-step instructions for the recipe make preparation quick and easy. The only hard part is waiting for it to freeze, but be patient.
Bourbon slush is one of the best summertime drinks. You can easily double this craft cocktail recipe and keep it in your freezer all summer long. If you are making a batch for a party — it’s a perfect celebration cocktail for a crowd watching the Kentucky Derby — I recommend freezing overnight.
Let it sit it out about an hour before serving to soften up. But if you like savoring the chill of the mostly-frozen drink — there is alcohol in it remember! — scoop immediately and enjoy it with a spoon. Another pro tip: after serving, some like the added flavor of pouring a little Sprite or another lemon-lime soda into their glass or cup. That will also help soften the slush. If you want to really toast Kentucky, make it an Ale-8-One slush by topping your drink with a splash of the famous soda that’s made in Winchester.
If you add more alcohol than this recipe calls for, then your slush will not be as solid, but you just might not care, right?
This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Recipe: Instructions for how to make the best Kentucky bourbon slush."