The Kentucky Bourbon Ball: Not just for Christmas anymore.

Kentucky’s Sweetest Confection

These little orbs exploding with that delectable combination of Kentucky’s finest bourbon and chocolate can be enjoyed just about any time.  And as I always say, there’s no time like the present.

Actually, bourbon balls are one of the main attractions at any of my Derby festivities. I always whip up a batch for Derby season and make sure I have plenty on hand for Derby Day to enjoy as we are sipping on our Mint Juleps. They are also the perfect addition to any party table or a much-appreciated hostess gift. 

Bourbon Balls and I go way back.  They were invented in my hometown, Frankfort, in 1938 by Ruth Hanly Booe, who operated a little candy shop called Rebecca Ruth Candy.  The shop, which is still open today and operated by Ruth’s grandson, was started with her bestie, Rebecca Gooch–hence the name Rebecca Ruth! They were school teachers by profession who also dabbled in candy making. With some encouragement, the dynamic candy-making duo decided to forego the classroom and invest in themselves and the delicious candies they had been making for friends and family for years. Not long after they opened for business, Ruth Booe mixed together a few secret ingredients, including some fine Kentucky bourbon, and produced the very first bourbon ball.  They were an instant success and are still the number one, best seller at the shop.

There are just about as many variations of bourbon balls as the imagination will allow–and many have tried to copy Rebecca Ruth’s Bourbon Balls (including me) but none can compare to the original. Now I am not saying that other bourbon balls aren’t fantastic because I’ve never met a bourbon ball that I didn’t like…but I hold a special place in my heart for the original.  There are a couple of secrets that the Booe family just won’t share–and that’s what makes them so special!

Rebecca Ruth Candy was just about in my back yard when I was growing up. Well, close enough. I remember going to Rebecca Ruth when I was a child with my Mom.  It is such a special memory for me.  I would get so excited just pulling up to the door. I was like a kid in a candy shop…literally!  I wanted to taste one of everything and, lucky for me, they are very generous with the samples.

During my previous sales career, I always took my clients a little holiday something-something. Each year was a bit different until I discovered the real way to their hearts…the bourbon ball. I spent hours with my cookbooks looking for that perfect recipe for a bourbon ball so I could share these tasty treats.  It was two-fold.  A gift for them and an opportunity to share a bit of my Kentucky heritage with my most-valued customers, most of whom I considered friends. 

I always share my bourbon balls with my colleagues when I travel now to network and learn more about this trade. In fact, my new friend, Julie McAlister, was so enamored with these tasty bites that she developed a bourbon ball cake recipe.  Julie, who owns Julie McAllister Cakes, is a Charleston-based cake artist-extraordinaire who can transform any idea into an illusion cake. Her cakes are unbelievable and truly each one is a work of art.  I cannot rave enough about her genius creations. I encourage you to go to her website.  She even made a mint julep cake using the bourbon ball recipe.  Get the recipe here.

Cheers!

MK