Kentucky Kiss

Name: Kentucky Kiss (Non-Alcoholic)
Ingredients: 2½ oz The Spirit of Bourbon; 3 to 4 large strawberries; ½ oz barrel-aged maple syrup; ½ lemon; Crushed ice; Fresh mint, for garnish

A nod to the “Kentucky Hug,” the Kentucky Kiss blends the warmth of The Spirit of Bourbon with ripe strawberries, bright lemon, and a touch of barrel-aged maple syrup. It’s rich, refreshing, and just a little bit flirty. A hug and a kiss of Southern charm, served over crushed ice.

Kentucky Kiss (Non-Alcoholic)

Rated 4.4 stars by 28 users

Ingredients

2½ oz The Spirit of Bourbon
3 to 4 large strawberries
½ oz barrel-aged maple syrup
½ lemon
Crushed ice
Fresh mint, for garnish

Method

Muddle 2 large strawberries in a cocktail shaker.
Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon. Add the maple syrup and The Spirit of Bourbon.
Dry shake without ice to integrate.
Pour into a glass over crushed ice.
Pour into a glass over crushed ice.

Recipe Note

For a smoother texture, blend the strawberries, lemon juice, maple syrup, and The Spirit of Bourbon before pouring over crushed ice.

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Why This Works

Fruit can easily overwhelm a non-alcoholic whiskey cocktail, so the bourbon needs enough character to stay present. The Spirit of Bourbon provides oak, vanilla, and spice that hold their own against the strawberries and maple.

Barrel-aged maple syrup reinforces those darker bourbon notes while giving the drink body. Lemon provides the acidity needed to balance both the maple and ripe fruit. Crushed ice chills the cocktail quickly and introduces dilution gradually as you drink.

About Free Spirits

The Spirit of Bourbon

The Spirit of Bourbon mirrors the complexity and structure of classic Kentucky bourbon, crafted with real American oak and natural extracts to deliver warm spice, vanilla, and char with a sweetness an aged bourbon is known for.

It brings the heft bourbon cocktails demand: enough body to stand up to bitters, the precision stirred drinks require, and the balance to carry citrus in Sours and Gold Rushes. It holds its ground alongside bold ingredients like ginger, honey, and aromatic bitters, and delivers consistent backbone in Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Boulevardiers, and any cocktail calling for whiskey with character and restraint.

A Kiss from Kentucky

The "Kentucky Hug" is a familiar expression for the warming sensation that follows a sip of bourbon, a spirit with deep roots in Kentucky culture.

The Kentucky Kiss borrows the name rather than the recipe from that tradition. Its combination of bourbon, fresh fruit, citrus, and sweetness has more in common with American whiskey drinks like the Whiskey Smash and bourbon cobblers. Crushed ice and fresh mint put it comfortably in that family

Zero-Proof Cocktail Basics

What is a zero-proof cocktail?

A zero-proof cocktail is a fully built drink that follows the same principles as any classic: acid, sweetness, aromatics, dilution, and a defined base spirit. The difference is the base is non-alcoholic. When that spirit has enough structure and character, like the ones we make, you get a cocktail that drinks like a cocktail, not a compromise.

How do non-alcoholic spirits work in classic cocktail recipes?

Non-alcoholic spirits step into the role of the base spirit. They carry citrus, sugar, bitters, and dilution the same way their alcoholic counterparts do. Some recipes need small ratio adjustments, but the technique stays the same: build the drink, balance the elements, and let the base spirit define the profile.

Do zero-proof cocktails taste like the originals?

They taste like cocktails: recognizable, structured, and intentional. The goal isn't imitation; it's integrity. When the build is balanced and the spirit has presence, you get the character of the drink without relying on alcohol to do the work.

Can zero-proof cocktails have real complexity?

Yes. Complexity comes from design, not ethanol. A well-built zero-proof cocktail shows layers: aromatics, texture, finish. The craft sits in the composition, not the ABV. The right non-alcoholic spirit brings the structure; the ingredients do the rest.

What is the difference between zero-proof and low-proof cocktails?

Zero-proof cocktails contain no alcohol. Low-proof cocktails blend traditional spirits with non-alcoholic spirits to dial down the ABV while keeping the drink's identity intact. It's the easiest way to keep the ritual, cut the intensity, and stay in full control of the experience.

Why does Free Spirits work so well in both zero-proof and low-proof cocktails?

The Spirit of Bourbon is built with oak-forward depth and enough body to hold bitters and sweetness in balance. Whether you use it as the sole base or split it with traditional bourbon, it behaves like a true cocktail foundation, keeping the drink structured, complex, and true to form.