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Kentucky Colonel
Posted: July 18, 2026
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About
The Kentucky Colonel is a rare two-ingredient cocktail that punches well above its weight — just bourbon and Bénédictine, the ancient French herbal liqueur, with a dash of bitters to sharpen the edges. Bénédictine's honeyed herb complexity (made from 27 plants and spices, its exact recipe a closely guarded secret since 1510) plays beautifully against bourbon's caramel and vanilla, creating a cocktail that tastes like something a Kentucky gentleman with very good taste might have sipped on his porch in 1885. Stirred, served up or over ice, and absolutely not to be rushed.
Instructions
- Combine bourbon, Bénédictine, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled and diluted.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist, expressing the oils over the surface before dropping it in.