When it comes to tropical cocktails, we don’t hear much about bourbon. That’s a shame, because as we know well, this is a spirit that makes a delightfully delicious summer drink. But on our favorite islands, it’s pretty hard to get our hands on the good stuff, which is why we go crazy for recipes like a Tamarind Old Fashioned.
One thing we’ve learned over the last few years, though, is that Caribbean and other island distillers are becoming bolder and more creative, and U.S. companies are also producing more distinct variations of whiskey and other spirts as tributes to our favorite regions. For example, Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Rye was one of my favorite bottles ever produced, so it was disappointing when it was discontinued (probably had something to do with me being the only person who liked it).
Fortunately, another bottle has come along that is even tastier and was also conceived for the purpose of giving back. Made in Kentucky, Walker’s Cay is finished with sherry cask staves, giving it a very sweet, smooth flavor that makes it extremely difficult to set down. What makes it so easy to pick up in the first place is the knowledge of who benefits from every sale.
King Spirits founder Steven Busch (yes, of that Busch family) has spent a lot of time in the Bahamas and witnessed the devastating impact that hurricanes have on the islands and people. Walker’s Cay and its sister spirit, Hope Town Vodka, benefit grassroots organizations like Hope Town United, which focuses on the restoration of Elbow Cay, and the Green Turtle Cay Foundation, which is currently helping to rebuild the Amy Roberts Primary School.
If that’s not enough, the bottle labels were designed in collaboration with celebrated marine artist Carey Chen, so they look great on any home bar. And, like most of our favorite spirits, Walker’s Cay bourbon and Hope Town vodka come with simple-yet-wonderful cocktails we can make at home while dreaming of our next trip to the Bahamas.
King Kong
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Walker’s Cay Bourbon
- 0.5 oz Jamaican rum
- 0.5 oz Tempus Fugit Banana Liqueur
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
How to Make It:
Add all ingredients into a mixing glass. Combine with ice and stir for 8-10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with a single large ice cube. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Vodka Margarita
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Hope Town Vodka
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 simple syrup
- 4-6 mint leaves
- Pinch of salt
How to Make It:
Add all ingredients to a shaker, fill with ice, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Fine strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with mint sprig and/or lime wheel.
