Top 10 Whisky Cocktails

let’s begin

Everyone loves a dram of Whisky neat or with a dash of water. But what about

1. OLD FASHIONED

Why not start with the tried and tested Old Fashioned? This cocktail has been around since sometime in the 1800s and has made its name in the cocktail world. Rising and falling inpopularity during its long history, it has recently made somewhat of a comeback. This could be largely due to its featuring in Mad Men, the TV drama about the hyper-masculine advertising world of the 1960s. The Old Fashioned is a simple and enjoyable cocktail option that can be bought be in almost any good bar or enjoyed at home!

Recipe:

2 oz. Rye Whisky
3 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 Sugar Cube
Water
Ice
Orange peel to garnish

2. rob roy

The Rob Roy was first created in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York all the way back in 1894. Since then it has become just as famous the Old Fashioned, even in spite of not being featured prominently in a US drama. It is a simple drink to recreate and a staple of any bar menu. Basically, a Rob Roy is a Manhattan that uses Scotch instead of Rye or Canadian, and that automatically makes it superior in some opinions!

Recipe:

2 oz. Scotch Whisky

1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Maraschino Cherry to garnish

3. mint julep

An important part of the legendary The Great Gatsby, the Mint Julep embodies the Roaring 20s. These days they are best known for their presence at the Kentucky Derby, where around 80,000 Juleps are created every year. Typically served in silver or pewter cups this cocktail is a refreshing twist to make your Bourbon that bit more exciting.

Recipe:

Mint Leaves

2 sugar cubes

2 1/2 oz. Bourbon Whiskey

Mint Sprig to garnish

4. Girvan Highball

The Highball is a simple and highly enjoyable drink that comprises Whisky and ginger ale served in a tall glass over ice. Some recipes differ in which mixer is used, with some citing soda water instead of ginger ale. This particular version uses Girvan Whisky, made in the Girvan distillery that was built in 1963 under the keen eye of Charles Gordon, great grandson of legendary William Grant. Rather than the usual lemon peel to garnish, this Highball introduces an interesting twist of dipping an apple slice in sugar syrup to garnish instead.

Recipe:

Girvan Whisky

Ginger Ale

Apple slice dipped in sugar syrup to garnish

5. Penicillin

This is the cocktail that will start you on your way to loving a neat peated Scotch, if you don’t already. The joys of the Penicillin are the rich and intense flavours of peated malt coupled with the sweet and thick honey and lemon. Australian Sam Ross, who has been mixing cocktails since 2001, first created it a few years ago and it has become increasingly popular ever since. Using two different malts bolsters the peated qualities of the drink alongside the sweet and tangy honey and lemon.

Recipe:

2 oz blended Scotch Whisky

0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

0.75 oz Honey-Ginger Syrup

1 dash Islay Scotch whisky

Candied ginger to garnish

6. SrirachaHot Toddy

The big attraction of any Hot Toddy is obviously the soothing warmth of the whisky coupled with the sweet and sour honey and lemon. This is the ultimate cure for any sore throat or ailment. But what if we take that soothing warmth and give it good ole sriracha kick! The hot sauce increases the heat to give your immune system the boost it needs and coupled with the Whisky, creates a smoothness that will rival any throat medicine out there!

Recipe:

1 tablespoon Sriracha

1 tablespoon Lemon Juice

2 tablespoons Honey

1 cup Water

2 oz. Whisky

7. Winston Walker

Celebrating two of the big names in the Whisky world, life long fan Winston Church and his favourite dram, Johnnie Walker Red, the Winston Walker is a journey in taste. The cocktail itself was created by Johnnie Walker in commemoration of Winston Churchill Day, which takes place on April 9th every year. Churchill himself enjoyed his daily Johnnie Walker Red with a splash of soda and this cocktail captures that the sweet and spicy spirit of the man himself!

Recipe:

60ml Johnnie Walker Red

40ml Spitfire Beer

15ml Lemon Juice

10ml Sugar Syrup

20ml Soda

1 tbsp Marmalade

1 Cinnamon Stick to garnish

8. Rusty Nail

First created during the 1930s, right in the middle of Prohibition, this cocktail is an old classic. No one is quite sure who invented the drink or exactly where it came from but it has certainly made an impression to last all these years. it became especially popular in the 60s when Scotch had a resurgence in popularity. It is perfect for those cold winter nights when all you want is a bit of warmth. The sweetness of the Drambuie is the perfect flavour against a nice smoky Scotch and with the tang from a twist of lemon this cocktail will tantilise your taste buds all over.

Recipe:

2 oz. blended Scotch

1/2 oz. Drambuie

1 dash Angostura Bitters (optional)

Lemon twist to garnish

9. Blood and Sand

This cocktail traces its history all the way back to 1922. Like the Mint Julep, it was most popular during the Roaring 20s, when hedonism and lavish living were the order of the day. The Blood and Sand was called after a Rudolph Valentino movie. Valentino was a pretty big name at the time and the name is pretty apt for this particular cocktail. When the liquids settle they form a wonderful looking gradient from the orange of the juice to the red of the cherry liqueur. The Whisky gives it sunshine like warmth that makes it reminiscent of a beach scene.

Recipe:

3/4 oz. Johnnie Walker Black scotch

3/4 oz. Cherry Liqueur

3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth

3/4 oz. Orange Juice

Orange zest to garnish

10. Bacon and Egg Martini

What would a cocktail list be without some kind of food-based concoction, and it’s even better when that food involves bacon. Born in the London Cocktail Club, this is the cocktail that will make you re-think the appropriate time to begin drinking. It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere so that totally means you can begin your morning with a breakfast themed cocktail. This is a particularly fine breakfast cocktail that includes an interesting Jack Daniels and bacon combination. Adding maple syrup is the perfect finish and should probably be used in regular martinis as well.

Recipe:

50ml Jack Daniels infused with smoked bacon

1 Egg White

25ml Maple Syrup

20ml Lemon Juice

Dash Angostura Bitters

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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.