Thirsty Thursday: Vanilla Bourbon Lemonade
This refreshing cocktail combines the creamy, slightly floral flavors of fresh vanilla bean with oaky bourbon and tart lemonade. It’s the perfect cocktail for kicking back and relaxing with friends and family this summer.
Today I’m raising my glass of Vanilla Bourbon Lemonade in honor of the entire military community, those who are currently serving and all of the veterans. If anyone deserves a cocktail and some rest and relaxation this summer, it’s the men and women in uniform.
My grandfather served our country many moons ago and still expresses his unconditional love for our great country to this very day. He and my grandmother met before he left to serve in the Marines. When he returned from his tour, they took to the church and tied the knot. My grandfather looked so handsome in his uniform, and my grandmother rocked a dainty white gown. They’ll be celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary this November.
I love listening to his stories about his adventures overseas and the exotic countries he visited on his tour. While he was serving in Germany, he bought my grandmother the most beautiful set of China. He had it boxed up, loaded onto the ship, and brought it back to the U.S. to surprise her (how romantic). My grandfather said he must really love her to have hauled six heavy crates of China across the Atlantic Ocean.
I have to agree with him. He truly is an amazing husband, father, and grandfather.
Just last year, my grandmother gifted me her set of China and I got to hear my grandfather tell the story all over again. The beautiful set is now displayed in my kitchen and used daily. I’m not one to save my good China for special occasions. I prefer to celebrate the everyday and act fancy whenever the mood strikes.
Since we’re knee deep in the hot and humid depths of summer, I decided to make a refreshing cocktail to help cool off. My grandfather is probably the only person in our family who will find a spot directly in the sun and soak up the rays for hours at a time. My grandmother claims his blood runs cold since he’s always seeking out the warmest spots, inside and out.
I spiked the already boozy mike’s hard lemonade with a shot of bourbon and mixed in a few vanilla bean seeds to create a fun cocktail to serve during your next summer gathering. It’s refreshing, tart, and semi-potent. The vanilla tames the tart mike’s hard lemonade and highlights the natural vanilla and caramel notes in the bourbon. It’s lemonade with twist. Both the men and women in your life will fall in love with this bright and bubbly summer cocktail.
In order to raise awareness and support military members, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co. has teamed up with Boot Campaign, an organization dedicated to promoting patriotism. The new Flavors of America variety pack features four varieties of mike’s hard lemonade from across the region: Peach, Apple, Black Cherry, and Lemonade. For each case of mike’s Flavors of America variety pack purchased, mike’s Hard Lemonade will donate 25 cents to fund four once-in-a-lifetime experiences for veterans.
Vanilla Bourbon Lemonade
This refreshing cocktail combines the creamy, slightly floral flavors of fresh vanilla bean with oaky bourbon and tart lemonade. It’s the perfect cocktail for kicking back and relaxing with friends and family this summer.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean seeds
- 1 (11.2 ounce) bottle mike’s hard lemonade
- sliced lemon for garnish
Directions:
- Add bourbon and vanilla bean seeds to the cup a cocktail shaker. Stir vigorously to combine. Add the mike’s hard lemonade. Give the mixture a few gentle stirs.
- Divide the mixture between two rocks glasses filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by mike’s Hard Lemonade. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting my site while I work with brands I adore.