Bourbon for St. Patrick’s Day? Sure

Here’s a cocktail in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. But you’re going to have to cut me some slack.

Why? Because I know what you’re expecting. Any cocktail for this holiday should include either Guinness beer or Irish whiskey, right? Logically, that makes sense. But my whiskey of choice is always bourbon, so I tend to gravitate to cocktails built on that. The good news is that if you want to stay true to the spirit of the holiday, you could substitute Irish whiskey.

And so I give you the bourbon slush! Never heard of it? Not surprising. It’s from Northern Kentucky and I had never heard of it until I was introduced to it by my friend, Kat, who grew up in the region. Just beware: It is a potent cocktail. You will want to drink many of them, but try to show restraint or you will be regretting it in the morning.

This drink is great for parties because it is made in advance and is easily doubled, tripled, or whatever you need.

Kat’s Bourbon Slush

Start to finish: 10 minutes, plus freezing. Servings: 24

2 cups strong black tea, hot

2 cups sugar

12-ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate

6 ounces (half a 12-ounce can) frozen orange juice concentrate

750-milliliter bottle bourbon

5 cups cool water

Ginger ale, to taste

In a freezer-safe pitcher, stir together the tea and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lemonade and orange juice concentrates, as well as the bourbon, then stir until dissolved. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap, then freeze overnight, or at least 6 hours. The slush is ready when it is firm throughout; it won’t freeze solid.

When ready to serve, scoop 1/2 cup of the slush into julep cups or tumblers, then top with ginger ale. Store the slush in the freezer between servings.