Basil Haydens Bourbon

Julie Reiner of the Flatiron Lounge Launches New Basil Hayden's Cocktails

Filed under: Spirits

Expert mixologist and owner of Manhattan's iconic Flatiron Lounge Julie Reiner wants you to drink bourbon all summer long.

Reiner has created two new cocktails using Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a spirit she has loved since the age of 18 (scandal!). "I started working in a restaurant in Waikiki when I was 18, and I wanted to know what I was serving. I've always thought Basil Hayden's was very mixable. It's spicy, and that flavor comes through in the cocktail."

Basil Hayden's is indeed spicy, and has twice the rye of regular bourbons. Most notably, the body and flavor are significantly lighter than other bourbons or whiskeys, with a kindly alcohol quantity of just 80 proof. Bourbon and whiskey can sound a bit heavy for summertime imbibing, but after trying it for the first time myself on Wednesday, I'd say Basil Hayden's is remarkably refreshing, and I can see why Reiner chose it for Flatiron Lounge's summer menu.

Tags: Basil Hayden, Basil Haydens Bourbon, bourbon, cocktail recipe, cocktail recipes, cocktails, Flatiron Lounge, Julie Reiner, mixologist, mixology