At Crafty Cocktails, October means bourbon. It’s been that way since our conception and this year is no different. Bourbon is the perfect spirit for the month as its amber colour, woody, smokey flavour and typically deeper profile, featuring notes such as black cherry, tobacco, honey and apple, complement the shifting weather, as leaves begin to fall, and the air become brisk and invigorating. Bourbon not only compliments this time of year perfectly, but it also offers a perfect canvas for flavours that are conducive to the season, as we move from the refreshing and bright flavours of the summer to spicier and heavier ingredients which bring warmth to our palettes. Therefore, in October, we turn to this wonderfully complex spirit for our monthly box, and this month’s box, Thirstin’ for Bourbon is no exception.

Bourbon has an incredibly rich history in the world of cocktails, as some of the very first cocktails on record made use of bourbon and many of the classics we still enjoy today, such as the Old Fashioned and the Julep, also rely on bourbon as their base spirit. Its role not only in cocktail lore but in the overall history of the United States is quite intriguing as well, as it played a part in the growth and prosperity of that country and in fact, still does, as one of its primary liquor exports. To say that bourbon is an important part of American, (and even Canadian), history is an understatement, with a story that is as complex as the spirit itself.

Because of its warmer, deeper profile, and its place in cocktail history, there are many different directions one can take when creating bourbon cocktails, as the elements used can either reinforce bourbons distinct characteristics, or counteract them with lighter, more refreshing ingredients. The key however, is to always keep the distinguished profile of bourbon in mind, as its bracing flavour can often overwhelm ingredients. Therefore, strong flavours are needed in order to stand up to this base spirit, which is what you’ll find in this month’s Crafty Cocktails box.

The lighter side is found in the I Give Thanks for Bourbon, an effervescent cocktail with an easy-drinking profile that still stands up to the bourbon, with ingredients like TOST Sparkling White Cranberry/Ginger, Bittermens New England Spiced Cranberry bitters and KVAS Cranberry/Rosemary syrup. Deeper flavours can be found in the Moonlight Scimtar, with elements such as tamarind paste, Truly Tumeric Ginger, Kinsip Barrel Aged Maple Syrup and dehydrated orange, which are bold enough to offset bourbon’s potent presence. The Chai to Die For is the perfect in between, as the velvety Blue Monkey Coconut Cream and aromatic flamed orange zest are light and uplifting, while deeper flavours are provided by the Crafty Cocktails Chai concentrate.

The cocktails found within this month’s box, Thirstin’ For Bourbon, will please any diehard bourbon lover, but are also approachable enough to change the minds of those out there who are apprehensive of cocktails with this base spirit. There are so many fun and unique ingredients in this box, the unpacking might be as fun as the actual mixing of the cocktails. By the end, you might just find yourself looking at 2022 in your calendar, waiting for October and your next bourbon fix. Cheers!

Everybody has their favorite spirit, but also have spirits they’re not so crazy about. These opinions are built over a lifetime of experiences; that bartender who made you the most amazing vodka cocktail you’ve ever tried, that one time you drank too much tequila… there are endless factors that may contribute to our own personal opinions towards particular types of alcohol. While these biases are completely understandable, a Crafty Cocktails box subscription is all about education in the world of cocktail creation, and it is very hard to learn new things if you don’t step outside your comfort zone. We strongly encourage you to make your cocktails with the recommended spirit for the month, even if you think you don’t like it.  If a recipe is well balanced and acutely aware of the flavor profile of its given base spirit, the result can surprise even the most discerning of palettes. Conversely, an attempt to substitute the recommended alcohol for another simply because of personal preference can result in disaster, as flavor profiles tend to clash rather than compliment each other. The recipes in a Crafty’s curated box are just that, curated to suit a particular base spirit. Trust our bartenders, they know what they’re talking about; let them show how something you thought you disliked, can become something you absolutely love. If you truly can't get down with the featured box of the month, we understand! You can choose one of our past boxes to start a subscription, just send us an email and request the one you want to start with. Cheers!