The J.W. Kelly Bar Book

Whiskey Cocktails

Four official J.W. Kelly cocktail cards, built around bourbon, rye, citrus, spice, fruit, and the kind of recipes that reward a well-stocked home bar.

Recipe specifications are transcribed from the official J.W. Kelly cocktail cards.

Official J.W. Kelly Kelly's Red Head cocktail recipe card

01

Old Milford, grapefruit, and lime

Kelly’s Red Head

A vivid bourbon cocktail that balances red grapefruit and lime with agave, plus an optional olive garnish for a savory edge.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces J.W. Kelly Old Milford Bourbon
  • 1 ounce red grapefruit juice
  • ½ ounce lime juice
  • ½ ounce agave syrup
  • Olives, optional
  • Ice

Method

  1. Add the bourbon, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake until thoroughly chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe.
  4. Garnish with an olive skewer, if desired.
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Official J.W. Kelly Kelly's Daydream cocktail recipe card

02

Single Barrel Bourbon, maple, and sage

Kelly’s Daydream

Cointreau and lemon brighten J.W. Kelly Single Barrel Bourbon, while dark amber maple syrup and sage bring a warm, woodsy finish.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces J.W. Kelly Single Barrel Bourbon
  • ½ ounce Cointreau
  • ¾ ounce lemon juice
  • ½ ounce dark amber maple syrup
  • 1 sage leaf
  • 1 lemon
  • Ice

Method

  1. Add the bourbon, Cointreau, lemon juice, and maple syrup to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake until thoroughly chilled.
  3. Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass filled with ice.
  4. Garnish with the sage leaf and a lemon wheel.
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Official J.W. Kelly Kelly's Sour bourbon cocktail recipe card

03

Old Milford, lemon, and orange

Kelly’s Sour

A citrus-forward Old Milford sour with simple syrup for balance and Cointreau for a clean orange lift.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces J.W. Kelly Old Milford Bourbon
  • 1 ounce lemon juice
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • ½ ounce Cointreau
  • 1 lemon
  • Ice, including one large cube for serving

Method

  1. Add the bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Cointreau to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake until thoroughly chilled.
  3. Strain into a coupe over one large ice cube.
  4. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Official J.W. Kelly Autumn Mist rye whiskey cocktail recipe card

04

Melrose Rye, orchard fruit, and maple

Autumn Mist

Melrose Rye anchors a spirit-forward mix of apple brandy, cognac, dark amber maple syrup, and orange bitters.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce J.W. Kelly Melrose Rye
  • ½ ounce Laird’s Apple Brandy
  • ½ ounce VS Cognac
  • ½ ounce dark amber maple syrup
  • 3 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
  • Orange twist
  • Cocktail cherry
  • Ice, including one large cube for serving

Method

  1. Add the rye, apple brandy, cognac, maple syrup, and orange bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir until thoroughly chilled.
  3. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over one large ice cube.
  4. Rub the rim with the orange peel, then add the peel and cherry to the glass.
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Mix with intention

Let the whiskey remain the center of the glass.

Measure carefully, use fresh citrus, chill the glassware, and adjust sweetness to the proof and style of the whiskey. A good cocktail should reveal another side of the bottle—not cover it up.

Explore Bourbon Explore Rye Whiskey

For adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.