Summer is time for bourbon cocktails at Bethany Blues

Nothing is better than cooling off with a refreshing cold beverage after a hot day in the summer sun. For many, summer cocktails are a staple for happy hours and to accompany their meals, especially when dining out. Rory Baldini, general manager at Bethany Blues’ Bethany Beach location, is excited about bringing whiskey, and especially bourbon, to the forefront with some amazing summer cocktails.

Baldini and his staff at Blues often travel to test whiskey batches for single barrels. This year, one of their trips took them just over the Bay Bridge to Baltimore where they toured and tasted at the Sagamore Spirits Company, testing its rye whiskey. “We are all about relationship building, and a community atmosphere, so when we went to the Sagamore facility, we brought everyone along, which included kitchen staff,” said Baldini. He said a real breakthrough came when his head chef tasted the white rye whiskey and quickly exclaimed that it tastes like tequila.

“Right then we started talking about a rye whiskey margarita. And now we are excited to roll out the Rye-Garita for summer,” said Baldini.

It is precisely this organic, inventive spirit that has built a killer cocktail menu for the summertime lineup. Featuring a variety of libations that re-imagine whiskey and bourbon leaves a little something for everyone, and they are served at both the Lewes and Bethany locations.

John Rogers, bar manager at the Bethany Blues Bethany Beach, broke down four of the best cocktails for a variety of palates. He said, “These are delicious drinks, of course, but it’s also really amazing that we are going to be the only establishment in Delaware to have a single barrel of Sagamore. So we want people to come in and give that a try!”

Smoke and Sand is a play on the traditional “blood and sand” drink. This cocktail features Blues’ single-barrel pick of Sagamore Rye whiskey with lemon juice, simple syrup, luxardo cherry liqueur and sweet vermouth. The cast of flavors brings out the characteristics of the rye whiskey, and while this is a strong drink, it’s also very balanced.

Rye-Garita’s special distribution white rye whiskey has a likeness to tequila. Coupled with all the flavors of a traditional margarita, it’s served on the rocks and the glass is rimmed with smoked sea salt. This is a gateway rye whiskey drink that everyone can enjoy.

Bourbon Crushes at Blues aren’t like the others. “You’ve probably heard of a crush, but ours are different,” Rogers said. “What’s the difference? No soda here! Soda isn’t the right choice with a bourbon crush, so we keep it fresh with simple syrup. It makes it perfect.” Home of the original bourbon crush with Jim Beam White label, and the single-barrel crush, which features Blues’ hand-selected Jim Beam and Knob Creek Barrels, Blues has exclusive flavor profiles in whiskey for everyone’s enjoyment.

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned isn’t Granddaddy’s old-fashioned; it is a true craft cocktail for serious whiskey drinkers. It’s got that classic kick, 120 proof Knob Creek bourbon, and a house-smoked luxardo cherry. One of the best ways to enjoy whiskey, it’s a simple, classic, way to liven up the cocktail routine.