What’s in Bourbon Lemonade?

Bourbon lemonade is exactly what it sounds like: fresh squeezed lemonade with bourbon whiskey. It’s part of a tradition of two ingredient cocktails named for what’s in them, like the Gin and Tonic or Vodka Cranberry.

You might also hear this drink called Kentucky lemonade, a reference to the state where bourbon was born (some versions add a splash of soda or mint).The ingredients you need are:

• Fresh squeezed homemade lemonade: just lemons, sugar, and water
• Bourbon whiskey: I like using a mid-range whiskey, like Bulleit or Elijah Craig (see below).

Fun Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic, here are a few fun spins:

• Pink bourbon lemonade: Use Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade or Pink Lemonade as the base for a pink spin.
• Herbal: Muddle fresh mint or basil in the glass first, or use Mint Lemonade.
• Vodka version: Try my Spiked Lemonade, made with vodka and limoncello.
• Extra lemony: Browse all 20 Zesty Lemonade Recipes for more base ideas.

When to Serve Bourbon Lemonade

This bourbon lemonade is tangy and bright; it’s a perfect party drink! Try it as a:

• Summer drink
• Cookout or barbecue cocktail
• Brunch drink
• Before-dinner aperitif
• Dinner party pitcher cocktail
• Derby weekend party alternative to the Classic Mint Julep

More Bourbon Lemon Cocktails

Lemon and bourbon are an age old combination! Here are some popular bourbon lemon cocktails to try:

• Best Whiskey Sour The most famous pairing of lemon and bourbon is in the whiskey sour! My recipe is a fan favorite.
• Bourbon Smash A refreshing bourbon cocktail that’s balanced and lemony, with a hint of mint.
• Gold Rush Cocktail Tangy, refreshing and classy: a spin on the whiskey sour using honey.
• Bourbon Sidecar Bright and classy, a variation on the classic Sidecar.

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Focaccia Sandwich

My inspiration for this recipe comes from a variety of sources: tomatoes that are in season, basil from my garden, and my friend Lindsay’s grinder salad focaccia sandwich. I call this a chopped salad focaccia sandwich since it’s a similar concept: a layer of delicious crisp salad with tangy pepperoncini in the filling. Here’s what you need:

• Marinated tomatoes: Ripe tomato, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper. Use the ripest tomatoes you can find: it makes a difference! I also like using yellow and red tomatoes for contrast.
• The bread is the star. I created my Quick Focaccia Bread especially for for sandwiches: it’s slightly thinner than my classic focaccia, so it has just the right flavor and texture balance against fillings and is easy to eat. (A purchased focaccia, like Trader Joe’s, works too.)
• Chopped salad: You’ll need romaine, thinly sliced red onion (rinsed in cold water to mellow the bite), and sliced pepperoncini (the star ingredient). Then you’ll toss it in a dressing of of olive oil, red wine vinegar, mayonnaise, Dijon, dried oregano, celery seed, grated garlic, and salt. It tastes like a creamy Homemade Italian Dressing in the best way.
• For assembly: Provolone cheese and fresh basil leaves. Of course, this sandwich tastes even better with meat (I don’t eat a lot of it, but keep reading for what I would add).

Tips for Focaccia Sandwich Success

• Eat the chopped salad version right away. Because the chopped salad is watery and so are the tomatoes, this is one to eat right after you build it.
• Making it ahead? You could build a classic meat-and-cheese version without the chopped salad and tomatoes, or opt for the Caprese variation, which can store wrapped in the fridge.
• Keep in mind the serving size! One half loaf of focaccia makes 4 large sandwiches You can cut them into 8 smaller pieces for slider-style party sandwiches — or make the entire bread into 8 large sandwiches. Again, make sure if you’re leaving out slider-style party sandwiches to make a variation without so there’s less liquid (just use pepperoncini and onions).

Ways to Serve It

This focaccia sandwich is a full meal on its own, but you could add my dense bean salad or Mediterranean chickpea salad, coleslaw, fresh fruit, or a scoop of pasta salad. It’s nice served with sparkling water or a bubbly Hugo spritz or wine spritzer.

How to Make This Easy, Quick Focaccia (An Overview)

Here’s the basic flow, but jump to the full quick focaccia recipe below for quantities:

1. Mix the dough. Stir together the dough into a sticky consistency, then fold it over itself a few times with wet hands to form it into a ball.
2. Rise 2 hours. Let the dough rise in the bowl for 2 hours until doubled and bubbly.
3. Stretch into the pan and rise 1 hour. Turn the dough into a well-oiled 9 x 13-inch pan and gently press it toward the edges. Rise the dough for 1 hour in the pan to get puffy while the oven preheats.
4. Brine, dimple, and top. Pour over an olive oil brine, press in dimples with your fingers, and garnish with rosemary and minced shallot.
5. Bake at 425°F until golden, 20 to 22 minutes.

Expert tip: When you dimple the dough, press your fingers all the way down to the bottom of the pan. If you do it too shallow, it will even out after baking.

Tips for the Best Focaccia Bread

• Find a warm spot for rising. A sunny counter or an oven with just the light on works well.
• Use a metal pan. Metal conducts heat better than glass or ceramic.
• A pizza stone is helpful for the bottom crust. Setting the pan on a preheated stone is what makes the best crispy crust.

Nutrition note: This recipe uses 2 bell peppers along with the cauliflower. 1 medium red bell pepper provides 169% of your daily vitamin C, so using 2 knocks this vitamin off the charts (Source)!

Notes on the Stir Fry Sauce

This cauliflower stir fry has an incredible stir fry sauce that brings in lots of savory, salty and sweet flavor! Use the recipe as printed, or another option is our Go To Stir Fry Sauce. It’s just as good and is an oil free option. Here are a few notes on the ingredients in the stir fry sauce:

• Soy sauce: Use regular sodium to get the full seasoning. Tamari is a gluten free soy substitute, or use coconut aminos for a soy free gluten free substitute. You may need to add a pinch more salt in both cases.
• Cornstarch: Arrow root powder is an effective substitute for cornstarch in stir fry sauces!
• Miso: Miso is a Japanese fermented soybean paste that’s full of nutrients and savory flavor. It’s a must in this sauce and can’t be replicated. You can find miso in the international foods aisle near the Japanese ingredients. There are lots of types of miso: we used yellow or light miso here (use the rest for these 10 Easy Miso Recipes).
• Gochujang (optional): Want to add a little spicy funkiness to your sauce? This Korean chili paste steps it up a notch.

Add Protein to Make It a Main Dish

Are you serving this cauliflower stir fry as a main dish? It’s a perfect healthy meal or fast and easy dinner idea. Just make sure to serve with a whole grain and consider adding protein to keep it filling. Here are some ideas:

• Serve with Rice: Rice has protein (about 10% of your daily needs in 1 cup cooked) and fiber, which helps to make a filling meal. Try our White Rice, Brown Rice, or Instant Pot Rice.
• Cashews: Throw ¾ cup cashews into this stir fry when you add the cauliflower. This makes a main dish of about 2 to 3 servings.
• Edamame: Add 1 cup shelled, frozen edamame in the last 2 to 3 minutes of the cook time. Or eat edamame in the shell as a side: try Easy Edamame or Spicy Edamame.
• Tofu: Cook Marinated Tofu or Pan Fried Tofu, then add it once the stir fry is done.
• Shrimp: Make Garlic Shrimp but use sesame oil instead of butter and omit the lemon.

Serving It as a Side Dish

You also can serve this cauliflower stir fry as a side dish instead! It would be fantastic with the following healthy whole food dinner recipes:

• Salmon: It would be perfect with teriyaki salmon, pan seared salmon, or miso salmon.
• Fried Rice: Add alongside takeout-style fried rice or shrimp fried rice.
• Noodles: Serve with quick soba noodles or this soba noodle bowl.
• Tofu: Serve alongside your favorite tofu recipe.

More Cauliflower Recipes to Try

• My Top 20 Cauliflower Recipes
• Cauliflower Tacos with Yum Yum Sauce
• Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
• Cauliflower Salad
• Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
• Pickled Cauliflower
• Cauliflower Sauce