The world of whisky is vast and constantly expanding. Likewise, the list of great whisky cocktails continues to grow. There are, however, a few tried and true recipes that are essential to creating a well-rounded whiskey experience. Here are our top 5 whisky cocktails.
Old Fashioned
The old-fashioned is a simple way to dress up whisky. Made with bitters, sugar, and an orange slice, it’s an excellent way to experiment with any style of whisky. Plus, this recipe has served as inspiration for a myriad of modern old-fashioneds, which are equally fascinating.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp sugar syrup or 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
- splash of water
- 60ml Scotch whisky or bourbon
- Soda water (optional)
- Orange slice
- Maraschino cherry (optional)
Instructions
- Put the sugar, bitters and water in a small tumbler.
- Mix until the sugar dissolves if using granulated.
- Fill your glass with ice and stir in the whisky.
- Add a splash of soda water if you like and mix.
- Garnish with the orange and cherry.
Manhattan Cocktail
With its traditional combination of rye whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters, the Manhattan is an icon in the whisky world. It is to whisky what the martini is to gin and the base for countless cocktails. You can make it with bourbon, Canadian whisky, or any other style, and it’s a splendid recipe to use when trying out any new-to-you brand.
Ingredients
- 50ml bourbon or rye whisky
- 25ml rosso vermouth
- 5ml syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherry
- A twist of pared lemon
Instructions
- Stir the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish and serve.
Whisky Sour
The whisky sour is a timeless recipe that’s too good to pass up. You’ll enjoy how the tart lemon plays off some of the sweeter notes in whiskey (backed up by a touch of simple syrup). Adding an egg white to the shaker gives it an intriguing mouthfeel, though you can skip it if you like.
Ingredients
- 50ml bourbon
- 35ml lemon juice
- 12½ml 2:1 sugar syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- ½ fresh egg white
- Small piece of lemon zest
- slice of orange and a cherry on a stick
Instructions
- Shake all of the ingredients (except for the lemon zest) with ice.
- Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
- Squeeze the lemon zest, shiny side down over the drink so the scented oils spray across the surface.
- Discard the zest, add the garnish and serve.
Rusty Nail
A cocktail intended for scotch drinkers, mixing up a rusty nail is incredibly easy. This recipe combines Scotch whisky with the herbal honey taste of Drambuie. Changing up the flavour profile is as simple as pouring a blended whisky or your favorite single malt.
Ingredients
- 50ml scotch whisky
- 1 tbsp honey-flavoured whisky liqueur
- Strip of lemon peel, to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a tumbler with ice.
- Pour over the scotch whisky and whisky liqueur.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Drop in a strip of lemon peel to garnish before serving.
Sazerac
The Sazerac offers a unique flavour experience for rye whisky. The recipe is simple, accenting the spicy rye with sugar, bitters, and an anise liqueur, such as absinthe. That last ingredient makes this drink special, and it’s even better with the new crop of amazing ryes on the market today.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp absinthe
- 50ml sugar syrup
- 1 tsp Peychaud’s bitters
- ½ tsp Angostura bitters
- 200ml rye whisky
- 4 strips of orange zest
Instructions
- Take four tumblers and pour the absinthe into the first one.
- Swirl around to coat the inside of the glass then pour into the next glass. Repeat until all the glasses have been coated with the absinthe. If there’s any left, divide it equally between all of the glasses.
- Pour the sugar syrup, both types of bitters and whisky into a large mixing glass or jug.
- Add 25ml cold water and a good handful of ice.
- Stir until the outside of the vessel feels really cold.
- Strain into your prepared glasses.
- Twist a piece of orange zest over a glass to release a little of the citrus oils, then drop it in.
