The Kentucky Flyer is one cocktail that’ll send you off to the races.
The Kentucky Flyer is a modern cocktail created by San Francisco bartender, Sierra Zimei in 2011. While the Kentucky Flyer may be new, its inspiration is from a classic 1916 cocktail – the Aviation.
The Aviation debuted in Huge Enslinn’s book, “Recipes for Mixed Drinks” that he created while bartending in New York City in the 1910s. For the next 50 years or so, the Aviation was a popular cocktail known for its chicness, tartness, and signature purple hue. Unfortunately by the 1960s, the liqueur responsible for that purple pucker (crème de violette) went M.I.A. from the market and the Aviation went with it.
But don’t get too upset. In the last twenty years, as classic cocktails have made a comeback, the Aviation has soared back onto bar menus. The Aviation’s renewed popularity was the inspiration behind its rye whiskey sibling.
Despite crème de violette’s accessibility these days, the Kentucky Flyer still nixes the ingredient all together. Instead, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur is added to the rye whiskey foundation. Luxardo may give the drink a modern flavor, but the cherry liqueur recipe dates back all the way to 1821. Added alongside some freshly squeezed lemon juice, the resulting drink is sweet, tart, and somehow comfortingly unique. Although the cocktail is reminiscent of a Jockey Club, Whiskey Sour, or even a Manhattan, it still manages to make a modern identity all its own. As far as we’re concerned, the Kentucky Flyer is cleared for takeoff any day of the week.
Kentucky Flyer
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Rye Whiskey
- ¾ ounce Maraschino Liqueur (Luxardo)
- ½ ounce Lemon juice
- 1 twist Lemon (garnish)
- 1 Maraschino Cherry (garnish)
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 ounces of Rye Whiskey, ¾ ounce of Maraschino Liqueur), and ½ ounce of lemon juice.
- Shake until well chilled and strain into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon and one cherry.
