Brown Butter Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

I’ve always loved finding new ways to make classic cocktails feel a bit more special. When I first heard about mixing brown butter with bourbon, I’ll admit, I got pretty excited to give it a shot at home.

The brown butter bourbon cocktail brings together those rich, nutty notes from browned butter and the sweetness of bourbon—it’s honestly just a really cozy drink.

This recipe’s great for sharing with friends, or just kicking back after a long day. Even if you’re not someone who makes cocktails all the time, it’s simple enough to pull off.

If you’re after something familiar but with a twist, you might want to give this a try.

Brown Butter Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

You get that deep brown butter flavor, mixed with smooth bourbon and just a touch of bitters to keep things balanced. I wanted to keep the steps as straightforward as possible, so anyone could make this at home.

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Mixing glass
• Jigger (for measuring)
• Bar spoon
• Cocktail strainer
• Rocks glass
• Ice cubes
• Small bowl for chilling the brown butter bourbon

Having the right tools nearby definitely makes things easier. The saucepan and whisk are for browning the butter and mixing it in with the bourbon.

The strainer keeps your drink nice and smooth. Mixing glass, bar spoon, and a rocks glass—pretty standard, but they help bring the whole thing together.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice cubes
• Optional garnish: orange peel or cherry

I usually go for a good bourbon, something smooth but not overly fancy. Unsalted butter is key so the brown butter flavor doesn’t get muddled.

Bitters add a subtle spice, and simple syrup keeps things balanced. Garnish is totally up to you, but I think orange peel looks and smells fantastic here.

Instructions

• Add butter to a small saucepan and melt over medium heat, whisking until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
• Remove from heat and immediately pour in the bourbon, stirring to combine.
• Let the butter and bourbon mixture cool, then strain through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove solids.
• In a mixing glass, add 2 oz brown butter bourbon, 1/2 oz simple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
• Fill with ice and stir until well chilled.
• Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
• Garnish with orange peel or a cherry if you like.

Browning the butter is worth the extra couple minutes—it adds a ton of flavor. Stirring with ice chills everything down and makes the cocktail nice and smooth.

Notes

I usually make the brown butter bourbon ahead and stash any extra in the fridge for later. If you want the drink less buttery, just use a little less butter, or don’t brown it as long.

Sometimes you’ll see a bit of oil from the butter floating on top. I just skim it off or strain again if I’m feeling picky.

You can absolutely switch up the garnish. Orange peel is my favorite, but a cherry’s classic too.

If you’re curious, swap out the bitters—orange or walnut bitters can be fun. And honestly, fresh butter and decent bourbon make a big difference.

Tasting Notes

When I take a sip of this brown butter bourbon cocktail, the first thing that hits me is the smooth, creamy texture. The browned butter brings a subtle nutty flavor that honestly just sets it apart from your typical bourbon drink.

I catch hints of caramel and toasted oak from the bourbon itself. There’s also this gentle sweetness from the butter that sneaks in.

The flavors really blend together, making each sip feel warm and rich. Here’s what jumps out to me in every glass:

• Nutty aroma
• Velvety mouthfeel
• Slightly sweet finish

The brown butter doesn’t drown out the bourbon at all. Instead, it adds this toasty layer that makes the cocktail feel a little special.

This drink feels cozy, almost like dessert in a glass. I love that the flavors are simple—not too strong or heavy.

If you’re into buttery, softly sweet drinks with just a bit of warmth, you’ll probably notice those things here. Honestly, I think it’s perfect for evenings when you just want something comforting.