While a lot of us might enjoy a great glass of whisky by itself, the good stuff can lend itself to some excellent cocktails. And lets be real, there’s really no spirit that’s better for winter months like this.
If you’re a budding bartender, here is a list of five easy classic whisky cocktails to get to you started.
Old Fashioned
Quite simply a classic. The Old Fashioned originates the birth of the cocktail as first mentioned all the way back 1806, hence its name. To make it, muddle your sugar, bitters and water before adding whisky and ice.
Ingredients:
45ml Bourbon or Rye whiskey
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 sugar cube
Few dashes plain water
Garnish with orange rind and a cocktail cherry
Whisky Sour
The Whisky Sour is a stiff drink with plenty of character. To make it, simply mix and shake all your ingredients (include the egg white if you’re looking for something extra smooth and frothy).
Ingredients:
45ml (3 parts) bourbon whiskey
30ml (2 parts) fresh lemon juice
15ml (1 part) Gomme or simple syrup
1 dash Egg white (optional)
Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry
Manhattan
An iconic cocktail that’s always classy despite packing a big punch. Simple and strong at just three ingredients, usually it’s stirred and strained, invariably into a classic cocktail glass.
Ingredients:
50ml Rye whiskey
20ml Sweet red vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
Garnish with a cocktail cherry
Mint Julep
Feel like something minty fresh but not really down for a mojito? A mint julep is for you. Traditionally made with bourbon whisky, this cocktail originates in the Southern U.S. and has long been associated with the Kentucky Derby. There’s a bit of a debate over how to prepare this one – we like to muddle mint, sugar and water before filling the glass with cracked ice and whisky. Stir it well and enjoy.
Ingredients:
60mL Bourbon whisky
4 mint leaves
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
2 teaspoons water
Garnish with a mint sprig
Whisky Highball
If you’re one for the simple things, why over think it? The refreshing concoction gained fame with Scottish whisky as a “Scotch & Soda”, but has taken on a life of its own since. This is particularly true in Japan, where you’ll see myriad drinkers happy quaffing a mixture of soda water and Japanese whisky.
Ingredients:
Whisky
Soda water
(The ratios are up to you here – you can make this one as weak or as strong as you like!).
Feel like giving one of these a try? We’ve got a range of premium whiskies (from Scotch to Rye to Bourbon) available for instant delivery in Singapore, Shanghai and Suzhou. Click here to download the BottlesXO app and get yours.
