Some drinks announce themselves with a season. The Aperol Spritz whispers summer, hot toddies arrive with the first cold snap. But every so often, a cocktail lands that seems to ignore the calendar altogether, bending light and taste toward an in-between place. The Cocktail Collection’s latest release, the Bulleit Whiskey Sour Cocktail, is trying to do just that—delivering a pour-and-serve classic that fits just as easily on a Labor Day picnic table as it does beside a November bonfire.
A Ready-to-Serve Classic With Craft Credentials
Launching in time for National Whiskey Sour Day, the Bulleit Whiskey Sour joins The Cocktail Collection’s portfolio as its eighth release, a line increasingly defined by its insistence that “ready-to-serve” doesn’t have to mean “second best.” Made with Bulleit Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and a hint of honey, the drink builds on America’s long romance with the Whiskey Sour. Before it even hit shelves, it earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a quiet nod to its craftsmanship.
The serve couldn’t be simpler: pour over ice into a rocks glass, garnish with an orange slice and an Amarena cherry, and you have bar-quality in under a minute. At 25% ABV, the cocktail comes in 350 mL (SRP: $13.99, about four servings) and 750 mL bottles (SRP: $25.99, about eight servings), available nationwide for drinkers 21 and over.
Pairing Cocktails and Sandwiches
To underscore the release’s versatility, The Cocktail Collection partnered with Owen Han, the social media phenom sometimes known as the “King of Sandwiches.” Han’s approach to food—layered, indulgent, but always accessible—mirrors the Whiskey Sour’s balancing act between simplicity and depth.
For the launch, Han created a Toasted Ciabatta with Marinated Hanger Steak: smoky mozzarella, crispy shallots, a charred chili salsa, and lime-cilantro aioli that echoes the citrus pop of the cocktail. “There’s nothing I love more than bringing people together over great food and drinks,” Han says. “With The Cocktail Collection, I can focus on the food and know the drinks are already taken care of.”
A Drink for Every Occasion
That’s the point Diageo seems to be making with the campaign: the Bulleit Whiskey Sour isn’t tied to a single season. “From backyard bonfires to game night gatherings, the Bulleit Whiskey Sour offers an easy, elevated option for any occasion,” says Nikhil Shah, Brand Director at Diageo.
Which occasions, exactly? The company lists everything from late-summer sunsets to holiday parties, a span that stretches across the American year. And perhaps that’s the quiet ambition behind the release: to claim not just National Whiskey Sour Day, but the dinner tables, backyards, and living rooms where people toast all the “in between” moments too. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
