Kentucky Maid

The Kentucky Maid is a modern classic that beautifully balances the robust character of bourbon with the cool, crisp flavors of mint and cucumber. It is essentially a whiskey sour variation, brightened with fresh botanicals, making it an incredibly refreshing and approachable drink. The harmonious combination of sweet, sour, and herbal notes creates a complex yet easy-drinking cocktail. It has become a staple in modern cocktail bars, especially during warmer months.
Kentucky Maid

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Kentucky Maid is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It belongs to the 'sour' family but is distinguished by the addition of muddled fresh ingredients, a hallmark of the 'Maid' style of drinks created in the 2000s.

Serving

The Kentucky Maid is a chilled cocktail served over fresh ice in a Rocks or Old Fashioned glass. It possesses a moderate alcohol content, making it a very pleasant sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz (before ice)
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

Created by renowned bartender Sam Ross in the mid-2000s at New York's legendary Milk & Honey bar. It's a flagship example of his 'Maid' family of cocktails, which all follow a base spirit, citrus, mint, and cucumber formula. Ross is also famous for creating other modern classics like the Penicillin and the Paper Plane, cementing his influence on 21st-century mixology.
Origin
New York City, USA, circa 2005.

Kentucky Maid

The name Kentucky Maid directly refers to its core ingredient, Kentucky Bourbon, and its classification within the 'Maid' family of cocktails. It is sometimes referred to as a Bourbon Maid, which is a more generic but equally descriptive name for this refreshing drink.
Original name
Kentucky Maid
Alternative name
Bourbon Maid

Characteristics overview

This is a crisp and invigorating cocktail with a prominent aroma of fresh mint and cucumber, perfectly balanced by the sweet and sour notes of bourbon and lime. Its clean finish makes it an ideal summery drink.
Flavor
Refreshing, herbaceous, citrusy, sweet, oaky, cool
Aroma
Mint, cucumber, lemon, bourbon, vanilla
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, lingering mint
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale yellow-green, slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, light
Seasonality
Summery, highly refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

A moderately intense cocktail where sweetness and sourness are well-balanced, complemented by herbaceous notes and a mild alcohol warmth. It is a still drink with no saltiness, bitterness, or creaminess.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This drink is built on a base of bourbon, balanced with fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Its signature character comes from fresh mint leaves and cucumber slices, which are muddled to release their flavors.
  • Bourbon Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality, approachable bourbon works best.
  • Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
  • Mint Leaves6-8 leaves
    Use fresh, vibrant mint leaves. Plus more for garnish.
  • Cucumber Slices3 thin slices
    Use a seedless variety like English cucumber for a cleaner taste.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker and a muddler to prepare this drink. A jigger for accurate measurements and a fine-strainer for double-straining are also essential for a professional result.
  • Cocktail shaker for shaking and chilling the ingredients.
  • Muddler for gently pressing the mint and cucumber.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Fine-strainer for double straining to ensure a smooth texture.

Instructions

The preparation involves gently muddling mint and cucumber with syrup in a shaker, adding the remaining liquids, shaking with ice, and then double-straining into an ice-filled glass before garnishing.
1. Add the cucumber slices, mint leaves, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. Gently muddle the ingredients to release their oils and juices. Avoid shredding the mint, as this can release bitter compounds.
3. Add the bourbon and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice cubes.
6. Double-strain the cocktail through a standard cocktail strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the prepared glass.
7. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a cucumber slice or ribbon.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a thin slice or ribbon of cucumber. These not only enhance the drink's visual appeal but also its fresh aroma.
  • Mint sprig: Slap the sprig between your palms to release its aroma before placing it in the glass.
  • Cucumber slice or ribbon: A thin slice or a long ribbon of cucumber adds visual appeal.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally vegan and free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. As distilled spirits are considered gluten-free, it is suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate number of calories, primarily from the bourbon and simple syrup. Its carbohydrate and sugar content are relatively low for a sweetened cocktail.
Calories
Approximately 180-210 kcal / 753-879 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-12 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 8-10 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect for warm weather, making it ideal for summer parties, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings. Its light and refreshing nature also suits brunches or serves as a delightful pre-dinner aperitif.
  • Summer Parties
  • Brunches
  • Casual Gatherings
  • Aperitif Hour

Pairing suggestions

The Kentucky Maid pairs exceptionally well with light fare such as salads, grilled chicken, and fish. Its refreshing character also provides a perfect cooling contrast to spicy Southern cuisine, barbecue, or flavorful Asian dishes.
  • Light appetizers like spring rolls or cucumber sandwiches
  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Fresh salads with vinaigrette
  • Spicy Southern or barbecue dishes

The Kentucky Maid: A Refreshing Southern Belle

The Kentucky Maid is a stellar modern classic that showcases the versatility of bourbon in a bright, refreshing context. Created by Sam Ross, it is a perfectly balanced mix of whiskey, lime, mint, and cucumber, making it an ideal sipper for warm days or any time a revitalizing drink is desired. Easy to make and universally appealing, this cocktail is a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can create a truly memorable drinking experience.

Similar Cocktails

Irish Maid

Made with Irish whiskey and often includes a touch of elderflower liqueur.

Kentucky Buck

A related bourbon drink that uses lemon juice and is topped with spicy ginger beer.

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