1. Baraboo Old Fashioned
Inspired by the distillery’s hometown, Baraboo, this cocktail is a tribute to the classic – with a local twist.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Driftless Glen Bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- A few drops of orange peel oil
- Orange peel and cherry for garnish
Instructions:
Muddle the sugar cube with bitters in a lowball glass. Add ice and bourbon. Stir gently and garnish with orange peel and a cherry.
This cocktail highlights the bourbon’s notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice – letting it shine in its purest form.
2. Driftless Gold Rush
A modern classic where honey and lemon meet the spicy warmth of Driftless Glen Rye.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Driftless Glen Rye Whiskey
- 25 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 20 ml honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon slice.
The story of the Gold Rush dates back to New York cocktail bars, but with rye from Wisconsin, it gains a new spicy depth.
3. The Driftless Sour
A silky smooth whiskey sour with egg white and a rounded finish from the bourbon’s sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Driftless Glen Bourbon
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- 20 ml simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- A few drops of Angostura bitters
Instructions:
Dry shake first without ice, then shake again with ice. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with bitters on the foam.
This cocktail is a balancing act between acidity, sweetness, and texture – with the bourbon’s character carrying the whole experience.
Driftless Glenn isn’t just a distillery – it’s an invitation to taste the landscape, the history, and the craftsmanship. And with these cocktails, you can bring the journey home in your glass.
4. Blackberry Salute
A fruity and seductive cocktail that combines the warmth of bourbon with berries and citrus.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Driftless Glen Bourbon
- 20 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 15 ml simple syrup
- 4 fresh blackberries
- Ice
- Garnish: blackberries and mint
Instructions:
Muddle blackberries and syrup in a shaker. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a lowball glass with ice. Garnish with blackberries and mint.
Story: Inspired by the wild berries of the Driftless Region – a tribute to nature and the craftsmanship behind each bottle.
5. Wisconsin Boulevardier
An American take on the classic Boulevardier – with rye in the spotlight.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Driftless Glen Rye Whiskey
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- Garnish: orange peel
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a lowball glass with ice or serve straight up in a coupe. Garnish with orange peel.
Story: The Boulevardier dates back to 1920s Paris, but with Wisconsin rye, it gains a spicy and robust edge.
6. Maple Barrel Flip
A creamy and warming cocktail for chilly evenings – with a touch of maple syrup.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Driftless Glen Bourbon
- 15 ml maple syrup
- 1 whole egg
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions:
Dry shake all ingredients without ice, then shake again with ice. Strain into a lowball glass and grate fresh nutmeg over the top.
Story: Flip cocktails go all the way back to the 1600s, but this version brings tradition into modern times with bourbon and maple – a truly American combination.
7. Port Barrel Manhattan
An elegant and rich twist on the classic Manhattan, with added fruitiness and depth from the port cask finish.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Driftless Glen Port Cask Finished Bourbon
- 25 ml sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: orange peel
Instructions:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Story: The Manhattan dates back to 19th-century New York, but the port cask finish gives it a silky new depth – perfect for thoughtful evenings.
8. Driftless Cherry Smoke
A smoky and fruity cocktail that pairs warm whiskey with cherry and a touch of smoke.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Driftless Glen Bourbon
- 15 ml cherry liqueur
- 10 ml smoked syrup (e.g. smoked maple syrup)
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- Garnish: cherry and smoked salt
Instructions:
Shake with ice and strain into a lowball glass with ice. Garnish with a cherry and a pinch of smoked salt on the rim.
Story: A modern cocktail inspired by American BBQ smoke and the dark berry tones of the Midwest orchards.
9. The Driftless Highball
A refreshing and light cocktail that lets the whiskey’s character shine with bubbles and citrus.
Ingredients:
- 40 ml Driftless Glen Rye Whiskey
- 100 ml soda water or ginger ale
- Garnish: lemon peel or mint
- Ice
Instructions:
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour over whiskey and top with soda or ginger ale. Stir gently and garnish with lemon peel or mint.
Story: Inspired by the Japanese highball tradition – but made with American rye and Midwest attitude. A perfect everyday drink.
