How to Make Whisky Cocktails – A Cocktails Perspective

Written by Sam Barrett in Recipes

How to Make Whiskey Cocktails

The world of whisky is ever expanding. There is a long list of cocktails based on whisky, which are loved by many. These cocktails showcase the versatility of whisky and are drinks that everyone should try atleast once. So let us discuss some whisky cocktails which are not only delightful drinks, but a visual treat too.

Manhattan Cocktail

A classic whisky cocktail, The Manhattan is a drink that requires few ingredients. You can choose between Rye whisky and Bourbon. It is an essential whisky cocktail that everyone should know how to prepare. There are many variations of this drink which are available and the first difference among them is the type of whisky.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 2 ounce rye whisky
  • bourbon whisky or Canadian whisky
  • 2 to 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and cherry for garnishing

Steps

  1. Gather all the ingredients. Pour the ingredients in a mixing glass along with some ice cubes.
  2. Stir well.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  4. Garnish with cherry.
  5. Straining is done when we do not want ice in a finished drink.

Variations that you can try- The Dry Manhattan used a dash of dry vermouth and garnish with an added lemon twist. The Perfect Manhattan has equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth. The Scotch Manhattan also known as Rob Roy, has Scotch whisky predominantly. The Metropolitan replaces whisky with brandy.

Whisky Sour

As the name suggests, this is a sour drink. It has been so popular that it has got it’s own holiday! Yes you read that correctly. August 25th is National Whisky Sour day.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 ounces whisky
  • 1.5 ounces fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ ounce simple syrup
  • Cherry or lemon peel (garnish)

Steps

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Use a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and pour the ingredients into it. The cocktail shaker helps a bartender as it removes the memorization out from mixology. You don’t need to remember the exact ratio for making drinks. It can also help you with garnishing.
  3. Shake well.
  4. Strain into a chilled sour glass.
  5. Garnish with cherry or lemon peel. 
  6. Enjoy!

Mint Julep

If you are a whisky lover, then you should definitely try the freshest whisky cocktail of all time. The mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. This Derby occurs on the first Saturday of May. But you need not wait for this particular day as this drink is fabulous any day of the year.

Ingredients

  • 4-5 mint sprigs
  • 2 sugar cubes
  • 2.5 ounces of bourbon whisky
  • The mint sprig can also be used for garnishing

Steps

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Place the sugar and mint leaves into a julep cup or a Collins glass.
  • Muddle well to dissolve the sugar and release the aroma of the oil. A muddler is used to smash and mix the ingredients of a drink. An average muddler is 6-8 inches long.
  • Add bourbon.
  • Stir well after filling the glass with crushed ice.
  • Garnish it with mint sprigs. Add straw. Serve and enjoy.

While muddling the drink, remember to do it gently. The intention behind the process is to release the oils not to crush the leaves.

Whisky Cobbler

This is another whisky based cocktails which is delight. It is based on the simple formula- A base alcohol sweetened with syrup and adorned with seasoned fruit. It is a highly potent drink and you should tone down the whisky as per your requirements.

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces whisky( or brandy).
  • 1 ounce simple syrup.
  • Orange or lemon slices for garnishing.

Steps

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Build the ingredients in a glass. Building means pouring the ingredients one after the other. As simple as that!
  3. Stir well. Top with soda if desired.
  4. Add fruits to garnish.
  5. Serve with straw and enjoy.

You can change the amount of syrup as you see fit. You can use any seasonal fruit you wish. Serve the drink with crushed ice.

Crownberry Apple

This is another classic whisky based cocktail that is loved by drinking enthusiasts all around the world. It is made from regal gala apples and has an amazing flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1.5 ounces of Crown Royal Regal Apple whisky
  • 4 ounces of Cranberry juice
  • Apple wheel to garnish

Steps

  1. Add the whisky to rock glass over ice.
  2. Top it with Cranberry juice and stir.
  3. Garnish with apple wheel.

Norther Harvest Buck

This is an iconic take on Irish Buck and is the favorite whisky based cocktail of many.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1.5 ounces of Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye.  
  • ¾ ounce fresh lime juice.
  • 3 ounce ginger beer.
  • 2 dashes of Angostura bitter.
  • And lemon wheel for garnishing.

Steps

  1. Add rye and lime juice in to the shaker with ice. Shake well.
  2. Strain in to a highball glass over fresh ice.
  3. Add bitters. Top with ginger beer.
  4. Garnish with lemon wheel.
  5. Serve.

Old Fashioned

A sugar cube that is soaked in bitters. A shot of whisky and an orange peel. This is how you create, one of the most loved whisky cocktails.

Ingredients

  • 1 sugar cube
  • 2 to 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • Orange peel or cherry for garnishing

Steps

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Put the sugar cube in an old fashioned glass. Saturate it with bitters. Muddle the combo.
  3. Add whisky. Stir well.
  4. Garnish with orange peel.
  5. Serve and enjoy.

Irish Coffee

This whisky based cocktails dates back to 1942. Joe Sheridan combined Irish whisky with black coffee for the first time. This drink has been a hot favorite in Irish pubs.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces coffee
  • 1.5 ounces of Irish Whisky
  • 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
  • 1 ounce heavy cream

Steps

  1. Gather all the ingredients.
  2. Place the brown sugar in to Irish Coffee glass.
  3. Add coffee and stir until it dissolves.
  4. Add Irish whisky. Stir again.
  5. Float the heavy cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. Floating is a technique used by bartenders to create multi-layered drinks.
  6. Serve and savor.

You should preheat your glass to keep the drink warm. You can plur hot water into the glass while the coffee i

Pickle Back

This is another whisky shot that is interesting and is something that should be experienced. It is one of the most popular shots taken in a bar.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 ounces Irish whisky.
  • 1.5 ounces pickle juice.

Steps

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Pour one shot glass full of whisky and another shot glass with pickle juice.
  3. Drink the whisky and quickly chase it with pickle juice

Many people think that using the beer chaser is the best way to finish this drink. While going for Irish whisky is what is recommended, you can choose any pickle juice for this drink.

Sazerac

This is yet another whisky based cocktail that is known for its exquisite flavor and magnificent aroma. It is a timeless cocktail from New Orleans. It has a very simple recipe. As has been the case with many popular drinks, the methods to prepare it differ. Here we will discuss the most commonly used method.

Ingredients

  • 1 cube sugar
  • Peychaud’s bitters
  • 3 ounces rye whisky
  • 3 drops of absinthe
  • Lemon twist for garnishing

Steps

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Chill an old fashioned glass by filling it with ice and letting the glass sit while preparing the rest of the drink.
  3. Take a mixing glass. Soak the sugar cubes with bitters and then muddle.
  4. Add the rye whisky and stir.
  5. Discard the ice present in the chilled glass and rinse it with absinthe.
  6. Pour the whisky mixture in the absinthe rinsed glass.
  7. Garnish with lemon twist.
  8. Serve and enjoy

These are some whisky based cocktails that should be tried in the bar. With amazing flavours and rich history, these drinks are bound to captivate you. The recipe to make these drinks is simple and the ingredients can easily be found. So, make these simple drinks and enjoy!

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