Festive Scotch Whisky Cocktails to Try This Winter

Thought that Scotch was purely for sipping? Think again, because in today’s blog I’m here to talk to you about Scotch whisky cocktails.

As the clocks have now gone back, we’re well on our way to winter, which means that it’ll soon be time to get festive. During the holidays, it’s not uncommon for us to sink more than our fair share of cocktails. From Bucks Fizz at breakfast, to Snowballs made from advocaat for dessert, cocktails are certainly a part of many people’s Christmases.

Now, as I touched upon earlier, when people think of whisky in cocktails, it’s usually bourbon or a smooth Irish whiskey that springs to mind. If done correctly, though, Scotch can certainly be used to make a fantastic cocktail, and I’m here to prove that to you today.

We here at Great Drams love a Scotch whisky cocktail during the holidays, so here are just a few of our favourite festive cocktails made using Scotch whisky that you simply have to try.

Mulled Scotch

Mulled wine is one of the most iconic drinks to enjoy over the festive period. Just the mere mention of it warms your cockles and conjures up images of crisp winter evenings strolling through a Christmas market, the scent of mulled winter spices in the air.

You’ve heard of mulled wine, but what about mulled Scotch? This festive cocktail is a unique take on the Christmas classic and is bound to impress. It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job and tastes amazing in the process.

Ingredients:

60 ml mulled apple and ginger beer
1 tsp honey
1 measure of Scotch whisky
20 ml hot water
1 squeeze of lemon
10 ml sugar syrup
1 star anise
1 stick of cinnamon
4 cloves
Handful of dried orange peel

Method:

- In a saucepan, add 40ml of full-sugar ginger beer and 20ml of apple juice, combined with the orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, and star anise. Heat until very gently simmering and then remove from the heat. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes.

- Take a heatproof glass and then add the warm water, the mulled apple and ginger beer, the sugar syrup, and of course, your Scotch whisky.

- Stir with a cinnamon stick and then use for garnish.

Cinnamon and Apple Festive Spritz

This is a cocktail that fans of apple will adore. It’s almost the equivalent of a warm apple and cinnamon pie in a glass.

This cocktail, which was created by Delish for the Glenlivet, is the perfect winter warmer and is dangerously moreish. Using Glenlivet 12, the sweet and fruity notes of the whisky work incredibly well with the sharp apple and lemon flavours found inside.

Ingredients:

1 ½ measures of The Glenlivet 12 Scotch whisky (other Scotch will work well, preferably smooth and fruity Speysides)
2 tbsp sugar syrup
Double measure of medium apple cider
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
75 ml Prosecco or champagne
Ice
Cinnamon stick, lemon peel, and apple slice for garnish

Method:

- Take a large wine glass and add the apple cider, the sugar syrup, and the Scotch whisky.

- Next, add the ground cinnamon and ice and give a good stir to combine everything.

- Top up with the sparking wine or champagne, and garnish with a slice of apple, a twist of lemon peel, and a cinnamon stick.

Blood and Sand

The name may sound like George R.R Martin novel, but don’t let that fool you, this is a cocktail that many consider to be their ultimate festive tipple.

Dating back almost one century, this is a cocktail that’s virtually impossible to dislike. In fact, many say it’s a cocktail that Scotch whisky haters (yes, there are a few out there) will love.

The recipe is said to have first appeared in Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book, though nobody is sure whether or not he actually created it. What we do know, is that it’s delicious.

Named after a movie starring a silent film star named Rudolph Valentino, AKA ‘The Latin Lover’ it’s a drink that combines orange and cherry flavours with Scotch and sweet vermouth.

Ingredients:

1 measure of a smooth Scotch, ideally with little peat, if any at all
25 ml cherry liqueur
40 ml freshly squeezed blood orange juice (regular oranges will also work in a pinch)
1 measure sweet vermouth
2 dashes bitters
20 ml cherry syrup
1 glacier cherry and a twist of orange peel to garnish
Ice

Method:

- In a cocktail shaker, add a generous handful of ice, the Scotch, cherry liqueur, cherry syrup, orange juice, and bitters and shake well.

- Strain the liquid into a cocktail glass.

- Garnish with a glacier cherry and twist of orange peel.

Chocolate and Gingerbread Scotch

Chocolate and ginger and two flavours we especially enjoy over the Holidays. Whether you’re polishing off the last of the Christmas chocolates, or tucking into some warm gingerbread fresh from the oven, these two flavours lend themselves to Christmas perfectly.

What better way to serve up Christmas in a glass, than by combining chocolate and ginger flavours with a fantastic Scotch? This is very much a dram to be enjoyed on a cold and frosty winter’s evening.

Ingredients:

Double measure of Scotch (the Great Drams Glenburgie Christmas 11 Year Old Single Malt works incredibly well here)
Squeeze of lemon juice
1 measure of ginger cordial (give it a good shake before pouring)
2 dashes of chocolate bitters
Ground gingerbread crumbs to garnish
1 tbsp sugar syrup
1 egg white
Ice

Method:

- Take a cocktail shaker, add all of your ingredients, other the gingerbread crumbs, secure the lid in place, and give it a vigorous shake.

- Fill a highball glass with ice and strain the whisky cocktail over the ice. Garnish with a light dusting of gingerbread crumbs, and enjoy.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a wee dram or two to make the delicious cocktails listed above at home, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for all you whisky lovers out there.

Photo by Wolrider YURTSEVEN

Tags: FestiveScotch Whisky Cocktails

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.