Raise a Glass: Celebrate Louisville’s Official Cocktail

June 1-14

In Louisville—aka Bourbon City—the Old Fashioned isn’t just a drink…it’s a tradition, a point of pride, and quite literally, our official cocktail. And every year from June 1–14, we give it the celebration it deserves during Old Fashioned Fortnight.

For two spirited weeks, Louisville invites you to immerse yourself in the richness of Bourbon culture—where every pour tells a story. From expertly led cocktail workshops and chef-driven Bourbon dinners to behind-the-barrel tastings and exclusive experiences, each moment is crafted to celebrate the complexity and character of America’s native spirit.

Where It All Began

To truly appreciate the Old Fashioned, you have to step back into Louisville history—specifically to the legendary Pendennis Club in the late 1800s. This private club (still operating today) is widely credited as the birthplace of the cocktail we now know and love - The Old Fashioned.

The story goes that a guest approached the bar and asked for a cocktail—but with one caveat: he wasn’t a bourbon fan. That’s when bartender Tom Bullock worked his magic. Unwilling to abandon bourbon in the heart of Bourbon Country, Bullock crafted a perfectly balanced drink that won the guest over instantly.

That moment helped spark a movement—and Bullock played a key role in popularizing Bourbon as the spirit of choice for the Old Fashioned.

From Louisville to the World

The drink’s reputation didn’t stay local for long. Colonel James E. Pepper, a Pendennis Club member and Master Distiller, is said to have carried the Old Fashioned to the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, introducing it to a national audience.

While variations of spirit-forward cocktails existed at the time, this was one of the first instances of a drink being formally called an “Old Fashioned”—rather than simply being made “the old-fashioned way” (spirits, sugar, water, and bitters).

A Lasting Legacy

Just before Prohibition, Tom Bullock published his iconic bartending guide, The Ideal Bartender—a lasting imprint on cocktail culture at a time when the nation was on the brink of going dry. While his story faded into the background during the Prohibition years, his influence endures, firmly rooted in bourbon’s legacy. Beyond its historical significance, the guide also features numerous recipes like the classic Mint Julep.

Fast forward to 2015, when Louisville officially claimed its legacy—naming the Old Fashioned as the city’s official cocktail.

Join the Celebration

The celebration culminates on June 14—National Bourbon Day—a tribute to the 1964 Congressional declaration that recognized bourbon as a “distinctive product of the United States,” cementing its status as America’s native spirit.

Today, that legacy continues to pour strongly. Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast or just beginning your journey, Old Fashioned Fortnight is the perfect time to dive in. Sip your way through Kentucky, discover new takes on the classic, and maybe even learn to craft your own.