Bourbon Renewal Cocktail

This recipe comes from Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Portland's Clyde Common. Sweet crème de cassis mixes with oaky bourbon to produce a delicious take on the classic whiskey sour.

Kumquat Whiskey Sour

This recipe for a kumquat whiskey sour by Feizal Valli at the Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama is perfect for a little winter pick-me-up. It pairs the bright, zesty flavor of kumquats, fresh lemon, and lime juice with the rich warmth of whiskey. It's perfectly balanced and a little dangerous—it's so delicious, you're going to want more than one.

Apricot and Averna Bourbon Sour

This bourbon sour has a nice bitter bite from the Averna to balance the sweetness of the apricot liqueur.

Simple Whiskey Sour

Whiskey sour ingredients are as simple as they come: a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a spoonful of sugar, and plenty of whiskey. For a Boston sour, add an egg white, too.

Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball)

This fizzy, spicy, sweet-tart, and bitter drink was created by Jamie Boudreau of Canon in Seattle, and appears in Amaro by Brad Thomas Parsons. It's a little like a bitter, gutsy take on a Dark 'n Stormy, but instead of rum, the drink is made with two bittersweet Italian liqueurs: orangey Montenegro and vegetal Cynar.

Frisco Sour

A complex rye cocktail in which Benedictine plays a small but delicious role, the Frisco Sour marries the spiciness of rye to the sweet herbal qualities of Benedictine. But because Benedictine's sweetness can so easily overpower other ingredients, it's held in check here by lemon juice. In this dry, bracing drink, rye takes the forefront.

The Supreme

The Supreme is a cocktail that shows off the spirit's abilities: crisp with citrus and with the ethereal nuttiness of orgeat, a French almond syrup usually laced with orange flower water. The Supreme promotes the rich and fruity flavor of apple brandy to a well-deserved starring role.

Pomegranate Bourbon Cocktail

Pomegranate molasses is a gem of an ingredient that often gets overlooked. This sweet and tart syrup adds the perfect pop of flavor to cocktails—especially whiskey-based ones.

Basin Street Blues

This cocktail, adapted from Domenica in New Orleans, is pretty low in alcohol, but not at all low in flavor. It reminds us of caramel and lemon drops, with an essential smoky addition from a few drops of Scotch.

The Derby

At least three different cocktails bear the name Derby, to commemorate the long bond between drinking and betting on horses.