The Kentucky River Cocktail To Try If You Want A Sweet Flavor Boost In Your Old Fashioned

If you're a fan of an old fashioned cocktail but want something a little on the sweeter side, then it might be time to try a Kentucky River Cocktail. Typically served in the same chilled, short bar glass over ice, the Kentucky River's components and base of whiskey are similar to an old fashioned — except for the specific use of bourbon whiskey and the addition of a sweet liqueur and fruity bitters. Specifically, in place of a sugar cube or simple syrup used in an old fashioned, a Kentucky River cocktail is made with créme de cacao, a sweetened liqueur made with cocoa beans and vanilla, and a few dashes of peach bitters, which give the cocktail a nice sweet flavor.  

Overall, a Kentucky River is perfect for those who love bourbon and want the elegant feel of an old fashioned, with more sweetness and less bitterness or upfront alcohol taste. The créme de cacao provides a sweet balance of chocolatey notes with vanilla undertones, while the peach bitters give the cocktail a subtle fruity hint as opposed to Angostura bitters (which are more earthy and spice-forward). Like an old fashioned, the cocktail is also garnished with a perfectly dramatic swirl of citrus. But in this case, it's usually lemon peel, while an old fashioned is garnished with an orange peel. The deliciously sweet result is a drink you'll definitely want to try if you like drinking an old fashioned. 

An old fashioned can usually be made with any high-quality whiskey, including bourbon, rye whiskey, or even Scotch.  Kentucky River cocktail recipes typically call for bourbon. The origins of who exactly invented the Kentucky River cocktail and when are not as crystal clear as the glass it's made in. However, the drink's name does give a nod to Kentucky (known for its plentiful production of bourbon) and its famous waterway (on which you can even take a boat-based bourbon tour exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail). Plus, the comparative sweetness of bourbon pairs well with the sweetness of the cocktail. 

While you can make a Kentucky River cocktail with any of the best bourbon brands, there are a few twists to make the beverage your own (or work with the ingredients you have on hand). For instance, some recipes call for white créme de cacao, which has a sweet flavor with accents of chocolate and vanilla. But if you want a richer chocolate taste and more of a dark brown tint to your drink, you can try it with dark créme de cacao, which often involves percolating cocoa beans and thus a more chocolatey flavor. And if you don't have peach bitters on hand, you can use other bitters along with a small amount of peach liqueur. Or garnish your Kentucky River cocktail with a peach slice for that sweet, fruity touch.