BARDSTOWN, Ky., June 3, 2026– Elijah Craig, the award-winning family of premium American whiskeys, today introduced Clean Cocktails: an assortment of light and fresh serves crafted to let its distinctively smooth bourbon, made of pure ingredients and aged to perfection in charred barrels, shine through. As imbibers continue to prioritize quality ingredients and meaningful cocktail moments, the collection focuses on seasonal ingredients, fresh flavors and simple recipes to showcase Bourbon as a surprisingly approachable choice for mindful sips.

The hero serve, Elijah Craig Branch Water, is both a modern take on one of America’s first cocktails, the circa-1800s Bourbon and Branch, and a riff on today’s popular Ranch Water. It showcases how simple, mineral-rich water combined with Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon forms the foundation of a clean-tasting, refreshing yet still flavor-forward cocktail. Elijah Craig Portfolio Mixologist Lynn House uses Old Limestone’s Kentucky Water for a pure, naturally filtered taste, then adds just the right touch of ruby red grapefruit juice for zest and a few dashes of cucumber bitters for a subtle contrast that brings everything together.

Elijah Craig Branch Water

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
• 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
• 4 oz. Spring Water (limestone-filtered or other; avoid tap or distilled)
• 5 dashes of Cucumber Bitters
• Garnish: Grapefruit peel

Method:

Build the cocktail in a rocks glass, adding all ingredients and topping with ice. Stir, garnish with a grapefruit peel and enjoy!

“We’re seeing the cultural shift toward occasion-based experiences and fresh ingredients.” — Max Stefka, Associate Vice President of Global Whiskey Brands

“We want to show our fans, both old and new, that Elijah Craig fits naturally into those moments,” Stefka continues. “As a pioneer in American whiskey, Elijah Craig has always embraced a simple process that delivers a bold flavor, whether enjoyed neat or in a cocktail.”

Additional offerings include a Soursop Spritz, highlighting the exotic tropical fruit as hero ingredient; the refreshing, Tiki-suggesting Island Fizz featuring coconut water, guava nectar and lime juice; and the Carrot Crush, a vibrant sip made with carrot, ginger and turmeric juice.

“Darker spirits are often associated with heavier flavor. Our Clean Cocktails challenge this notion.” — Lynn House, Elijah Craig Portfolio Mixologist

“This collection showcases Elijah Craig Bourbon’s versatility for crafting and enjoying lighter, refreshing, fresh cocktails,” House continues. “Our Bourbon brings exceptional depth of flavor and aroma while giving room for other ingredients to shine. It all owes to our brand’s namesake, who is known to be the first to age Bourbon in charred oak barrels, and whose practices we follow to this day. A simple recipe with fresh ingredients can deliver a cocktail as vibrant and refreshing as any made with clear spirits.”

At the center of the collection is Elijah Craig Small Batch, the award-winning, 94-proof expression the brand is known for. Crafted from a trifecta of quality grain, Kentucky limestone water, a 40-second Level 3 char and then aged through Kentucky’s elements to deliver an ingenious expression. It blends a smooth and warm taste of spice, smoke and nutmeg with a delightfully complex aroma of vanilla bean, sweet fruit and fresh mint. The long, sweet and slightly toasty finish is the perfect foundation for this cocktail lineup, balanced with invigorating citrus ingredients.