Cocktails

Kentucky Colonel

Kentucky Colonel is an alcoholic cocktail built on Bourbon. It leans spice, botanical and caramel. Served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 44.3% ABV and roughly 266 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic44.3% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

266 kcalCalories

44.3%ABV

3.7gSugar

5.2gCarbs

2.58Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easyshaken drink

Why: 3 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

3 ozBourbonBase Spirit
1/2 ozBenedictineLiqueur Modifier
1 twist ofLemon peelGarnish

Tools:Cocktail Shaker

How to Make It

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes combine the courbon and Benedictine.Shaken
Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.Shaken
Garnish with the lemon twist.Garnish

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Cubed ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Spice Botanical Caramel

Supporting notes

Herbal Honey Oak Vanilla

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

High ABV
Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

BBQ / CookoutSuggested from its oak notes, pairing with bbq and grilled meat.
Winter / CozySuggested from its spice notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

BBQ Steak Grilled Meat

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegetarian

May be limited

Vegan

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Find vegan-compatible cocktails

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Bourbon3 oz

Rye WhiskeyWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust sweetener if the drink becomes too dry.
What changes: Rye whiskey can replace bourbon when a spicier, drier version is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Peel1 twist of

Lemon TwistGood swap

How much to use: Use a similar-sized twist.
What changes: A lemon twist is usually a close substitute for lemon peel.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Kentucky Colonel?: The Kentucky Colonel is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 44.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 266 calories.
What does a Kentucky Colonel taste like?: Kentucky Colonel has a flavour profile featuring Spice, Botanical, Caramel, Herbal. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Kentucky Colonel?: Kentucky Colonel pairs well with BBQ, Steak, Grilled Meat. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Kentucky Colonel?: The Kentucky Colonel has an ABV of approximately 44.3%. That's approximately 2.58 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 266 kcal, 3.7g sugar, 5.2g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Kentucky Colonel typically served?: Kentucky Colonel is often suggested for BBQ / Cookout, Winter / Cozy, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Kentucky Colonel?: If you enjoy Kentucky Colonel, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Kentucky Colonel at home?: Yes. The Kentucky Colonel uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Kentucky Colonel with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.