Happy Bourbon Day!

After celebrating all day, why not pay tribute to American whiskey after work? In addition to Flag Day, Thursday, June 14 also happens to be National Bourbon Day—and you don't have to live in Kentucky to raise a toast.

According to Wikipedia, true bourbon is made from a grain mixture that must be at least 51 percent corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels, per the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits. 

Bourbon has been produced since the 18th Century, and was long associated with the South. But the strong, smoky brown liquor recently regained popularity due to its association with .

His favorite mash-based cocktail is decidedly an Old Fashioned. But all of the bourbon-based creations listed below sound tempting to us. Try one tonight!

The Hound Dog at -  Made from a combination of bourbon, grapefruit, lime, ginger, honey and mint, this is a cocktail to paws and linger over.

The Boulevardier at - 2 ounces of bourbon, combined with 1 ounce of Campari and 1 ounce sweet vermouth, stirred then strained into a stemmed glass, it inspired an entire article in The New York Times a few months back.

The Reverend at - Elijah Craig bourbon, combined with black pepper and rhubarb bitters. Yes, ma'am.

The Westlake at - Bourbon mixed with elderflower liqueur and Regan's No. 6 orange bitters will pair perfectly with some fried chicken.

In the Cards at - A swirl of bourbon, lemon, elderflower liqueur, blood orange liqueur with a dark rum "snap" (or float) on top, you'll definitely want to sip this elixir slowly.

What's your favorite bourbon drink?