If you’re at all like my husband and I, bourbon is a year-round drink. On glorious spring days like this one, I recommend a refreshing (and strong) bourbon-based drink:

The Rosemary.

Equal parts bourbon and dry vermouth, this drink packs a punch. We served it as our signature cocktail at our summer wedding in the Allegheny Highlands of Virginia along with gin & tonics, our other unapologetic staple (I’ll unabashedly order a g&t well into cold Chicago Septembers).

A sweeter twist on this classic old-fashioned drink is actually called the Allegheny:

1 oz. Bourbon

1 oz. Dry Vermouth

1 1/2 tsp Blackberry Brandy

1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Cheers!