With a strong and distinct flavour profile, whiskey can be a daunting ingredient to mix with, however avoiding the task would be to miss out on a world of flavours and perfectly harmonious cocktails, and ultimately, all too much of a shame! We’ve created a whiskey cheat sheet featuring fantastic cocktails, complete with recipes and flavour profiles, to give you a guided tour of some must-try whiskey cocktails.
The Old Fashioned: Timeless Classic
The Old Fashioned is a cornerstone of cocktail culture, a timeless classic evoking images of cocktail lounges in a bygone era. With just 4 components, its simplicity belies its complexity, harnessing a balance of whiskey, sugar, bitters, and citrus, it is refined as it is robust.
Ingredients:
- 6 ml Angostura bitters
- 1 sugar cube or 1 tsp simple syrup (7.5 ml)
- 60 ml bourbon (or rye whiskey)
- Orange peel for garnish
- Cherry (optional)
Instructions:
In a rocks glass, muddle the sugar cube with bitters and a splash of water until dissolved.
Fill the glass with ice before pouring in the bourbon and stir gently to chill. Garnish with an orange peel and a cherry (optional).
The Sazerac: Bold and Spicy
The Sazerac is a New Orleans icon and one of the oldest American cocktails. An ingredients list that rings familiar with that of an Old-Fashioned. However, a simple rinse of Absinthe creates a unique bold and spicy character that gives it a peppery edge over its cousin.
Ingredients:
- 7.5 ml absinthe (for rinsing)
- 1 sugar cube
- 9 ml Peychaud’s bitters
- 75 ml rye whiskey
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions:
Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe, discarding the excess.
In a separate mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with a few drops of water. Add Peychaud’s bitters to the sugar cube mixture then pour in the rye whiskey.
Fill the glass with ice and stir vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
Strain into the absinthe-rinsed glass and add lemon peel for garnish.
Mint Julep: Cool and invigorating
While the fact that this cocktail consists of about 90% ice might make you feel slightly robbed as you lean over to tap £12 away, its undeniably refreshing hit is sure to hook you back to the bar for another, despite being adamant that you never would. Henceforth forcing you to surrender your pride and hang your head in shame while you sip this irrefutably addictive cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml bourbon
- 6-8 mint leaves
- 5 ml sugar
- Crushed ice
Instructions:
Muddle mint leaves and sugar in a highball glass.
Fill the cup with crushed ice, pour in bourbon and top with more crushed ice! Garnish with a mint sprig.
The Boulevardier: A French Twist
The Boulevardier is a sophisticated take on the Manhattan, swapping sweet vermouth for Campari. This Italian bitter adds a bold, dry character to the drink.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Bourbon or Rye whiskey
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml Sweet vermouth
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a mixing glass with ic, add bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth and stir until well chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with orange peel.
The Paper Plane: A Modern Hit
Despite being a relative newcomer, Paper Plane has taken off across the cocktail scene. Its unique equal-parts formula delivers a harmonious bittersweet taste that has earned it a loyal fanbase, and is the reason you most definitely need to give it a try!
Ingredients:
- 22.5 ml bourbon
- 22.5 ml Aperol
- 22.5 ml Amaro Nonino
- 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the ingredients and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass.
The Whiskey Sour: Elegant and Frothy
The Whiskey Sour is a beautiful classic cocktail renowned for its perfect balance of tart lemon and sweet syrup. The addition of egg white is of course is the secret to its velvety, frothy texture.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml bourbon
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 22.5 ml simple syrup
- 1 egg white
Instructions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds, then strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
The Blood and Sand: A Fruity Twist
The Blood and Sand is a vibrant and refreshing cocktail with a touch of sweetness. Its combination of Scotch, cherry brandy, orange juice, and lemon juice creates a fruity summer staple.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Scotch whisky
- 30 ml cherry brandy
- 30 ml orange juice
- 15 ml lemon juice
Instructions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients and shake vigorously before straining into a cocktail glass.
