It’s no surprise for restaurateurs and bar owners who have been witness to the growing popularity of this drink over the years - whisky is a versatile spirit that mixes well with other ingredients to create several lip-smacking cocktails.
Whisky based cocktails tend to be bolder and spicier. The smoky notes from the charred barrels or the piquant taste from peat-stained malts are just some of the flavours you might find when drinking whisky cocktails. Furthermore, as with any other cocktail, these drinks are made in many different variations depending on what flavours patrons prefer.
Here are five fantastic whisky cocktail recipes to try at home.
Old Fashioned
This is perhaps the most famous whisky cocktail, ever. For the uninitiated, it is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a strong, bold cocktail heavy on flavour. You can use both single malts and blends, but most people prefer to use 23rd street distillery’s signature single malt whisky.
In this cocktail, we use signature single malt whisky for the recipe. These whiskies are known for their earthy taste and spicy, fruity notes. They have a higher ABV than other whiskys, so they’re perfect for making strong and flavourful cocktails.
Ingredients
- Orange slices
- 1 tsp sugar (granulated)
- 2-3 drops of Angostura bitters
- 60ml signature single malt whisky
- 4-5 ice cubes
- A splash of water
Method
Step 1: Mix the granulated sugar, Angostura bitters, and water in a whisky glass
Step 2: When all the sugar dissolves, fill your glass with the whisky and add the ice cubes
Step 3: If you like, you can add a splash of water to free up the aroma molecules to appease your nose
Step 4: Garnish the mixture with the orange slices! Enjoy your drink.
Hot Toddy
Hot Toddy is a popular cocktail recipe for those who like to relax with a glass of whisky at the end of a long day. It’s great if you want to warm up your insides with a steaming cup of spiced whisky, and naturally, its major claim to fame comes around as mercury drops.
This drink can be made with single malts and blends and has a wide range of possible additions, from honey to lemon juice, cloves to clove oil.
Ingredients
- 60 ml of whisky
- A glass of hot water
- 3 teaspoons of honey (to add taste)
- 2 teaspoons of lemon (for taste)
Methods
Step 1: In a tumbler, pour the 2 teaspoons of lemon and add the hot water
Step 2: Add the whisky, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of the honey
Step 3: Stir the mixture until all the honey has disappeared into the hot water
Step 4: If you want it to taste more, add 1 teaspoon of honey to the mix. It’s time to drink.
Whisky Smash
The Whisky Smash is a sophisticated cocktail that combines the strong flavour of whisky with the brightness of fresh mint. This drink is an excellent choice if you like experimenting with different cocktails.
You can experiment with different types of whiskies and garnishes to find the perfect combination for your palate. You can make it with either single malts or blends, but we prefer 23rd Street distillery’s Australian Single Malt whisky in this drink.
Ingredients
- 4 large mint leaves
- 60 ml of whisky
- ¼ lemon sliced into two
- 2 tablespoons of either maple syrup or simple syrup
- Crushed ice
- Soda water
Method
Step 1: Muddle the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker to extract the juice flavour. Add the lemon slices and continue muddling
Step 2: Pour the whisky and simple syrup and shake thoroughly until well chilled
Step 3: Strain the mixture into a glass with the crushed ice
Step 4: Garnish with a splash of soda water
Lavender Whisky Sour
The Lavender Whisky Sour is a drink for those who like to explore the more unusual aspects of cocktail making. The drink is infused with lavender, one of the most popular scents in the world but also one of the most controversial when it comes to concocted flavour. The drink usually has a fragrant and sweet flavour, with just the right amount of bitterness from the whisky.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of whisky
- 1 fresh lavender sprig
- Ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon of lavender sour syrup
To make the sour lavender syrup, use the following
½ cup of dried lavender
Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Method
Step 1: Fill an 8-ounce glass with ice cubes
Step 2: Pour the whisky over the ice
Step 3: Fill out the glass with lavender sour syrup and stir the mixture
Step 4: Garnish the blend with a spig of lavender and serve immediately.
Irish Coffee
For a warmer and comforting mix, classic Irish Coffees are simple to make, with only four ingredients, the best part is that no bartending experience is necessary. This doesn’t just taste good, in a slim glass coffee mug, it looks great too. For a vanilla infused drink, swap out the sugar with vanilla syrup. Hot tips: don’t use a large glass and drink through the cream, don’t stir!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup strong, hot coffee
- 1-2tsp granulated sugar
- 30ml Irish Whisky
- 1-2 Tablespoons whipping or double cream
Method
Step 1: Fill a tall, stemmed glass coffee mug with hot water, empty, refill with boiling water, discard again and then fill the glass to just over half full with the strong hot coffee
Step 2: Add sugar to suit your tastes, stir to dissolve
Step 3: Add Whisky
Step 4: Float the cream on top of the coffee – try turning a spoon upside down and slowly pour the cream on the back of the spoon so it gently sits on top of the liquid.
With so many different types of whisky and various cocktails made with them, there’s something for everyone. The typical flavour of a whisky cocktail is often a result of the cask in which it was aged.
Different types of barrels produce different flavours, which is why every kind of whisky tastes slightly different while also bringing its specific flavour to any cocktail it’s used in. Try the recipes at home and enjoy a taste of what whiskys can become.
