7 Simple Whisky Cocktail Recipes: Cocktail Hour for Whisky Lovers

Whisky, known as the water of life in Gaelic, has a long and cherished history dating back to medieval Scotland and Ireland

Originally sold as a tonic with supposed health benefits, whisky was believed to slow ageing, alleviate congestion, and relieve joint pain. While its medicinal use has been disproved, it has remained a beloved spirit with a special place in our hearts and cocktail glasses.

I've spent countless hours experimenting, and today, I'm excited to share seven of my all-time favourite whisky cocktails. From the timeless Whisky Sour to the intriguing Blood and Sand, this list offers something for every whisky lover.

Easy-to-Follow Whisky Cocktail Recipes

1. Classic Whisky Sour
2. Old Fashioned
3. Mint Julep
4. Manhattan
5. Whisky Smash
6. Blood and Sand
7. Whisky Ginger Highball

1. Classic Whisky Sour

The Classic Whisky Sour is a cocktail that dates back to the 1860s. British navy sailors used to drink it during long sea journeys. It offers a perfect balance of sweet and sour, which you can enjoy as an aperitif, digestif, and even as a nightcap.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky

• 20 ml lemon juice

• 14 ml sugar syrup

• One egg white (optional)

• Lemon slice

How to Make a Classic Whisky Sour

1. Combine the Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky, lemon juice, sugar, and syrup in a shaker.
2. If you're using an egg white, add it to the mix and shake to emulsify it.
3. Add ice and shake again until the mix is chilled.
4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a slice of lemon peel.

2. Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of the most iconic cocktails enjoyed for over a century. It uses sugar and bitters to enhance the whisky’s natural flavours without overpowering it. It’s strong, slightly sweet, and has a hint of bitterness.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Buffalo Trace Bourbon

• One sugar cube

• Two dashes of Angostura bitters

• Water

• Orange peel for garnish

How to Make an Old Fashioned

1. Muddle the sugar cube and bitters with a splash of water in a whisky glass.
2. Add a few cubes of ice, then the Buffalo Trace Bourbon.
3. Stir until well-chilled.
4. Garnish with an orange peel.

3. Mint Julep

The Mint Julep came from the southern US during the eighteenth century. It’s traditionally made with four ingredients: mint leaf, bourbon, simple syrup, and crushed ice. It's one of the most refreshing whisky cocktails—perfect for warm weather.

Ingredients

• 73 ml Woodford Reserve Bourbon

• Eight fresh mint leaves

• 14 ml simple syrup

• Crushed ice

How to Make a Mint Julep

1. Lightly muddle the mint in the simple syrup in a Julep cup or rocks glass.
2. Add the Woodford Reserve Bourbon
3. Pack the glass tightly with crushed ice.
4. Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside.
5. Top with more crushed ice to form a dome, and garnish with more mint.

4. Manhattan

The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that started at the New York club with the same name in the mid-1870s. It's sophisticated, sweet, and strong. The whisky and vermouth blend seamlessly, while the bitters add complexity and depth.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Bulleit Rye Whisky

• 30 ml sweet red vermouth

• Two dashes of Angostura bitters

How to Make a Manhattan

1. Combine the whisky, sweet red vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice and stir for 30 seconds or until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

5. Whisky Smash

The Whisky Smash is a refreshing cocktail that dates back to the 1860s. It is like a citrusy mint julep. It’s refreshing and slightly sweet, with the lemon adding a bright citrus note that complements the mint and whisky.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old Single Malt

• Four fresh mint leaves

• Two lemon wedges

• 30 ml simple syrup

How to Make a Whisky Smash

1. Muddle the lemon wedges and mint leaves in a shaker.
2. Add the Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old Single Malt and simple syrup
3. Add ice and shake until well-chilled.
4. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

6. Blood and Sand

The Blood and Sand cocktail was created in London in the 1920s and named after Rudolph Valentino’s 1922 movie “Blood and Sand”. It is an intriguing cocktail with a unique flavour profile.

Ingredients

• 22 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label

• 22 ml blood orange juice

• 22 ml sweet vermouth

• 22 ml cherry liqueur

How to Make a Blood and Sand

1. Throw all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

7. Whisky Ginger Highball

The Whisky Ginger Highball is a classic cocktail invented in the UK and gained popularity in the US before being perfected in Japan. It is a simple yet delicious cocktail. The John Jameson Irish Whisky provides warmth and depth, while the ginger ale adds fizziness and a spicy-sweet flavour.

Ingredients

• 60 ml John Jameson Irish Whisky

• Ginger ale

• Lime wedge for garnish

How to Make a Whisky Ginger Highball

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Add the John Jameson Irish Whisky, then top up with ginger ale.
3. Stir gently to mix.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Cocktail Hour: Last Call

Whether you’re new to whisky cocktails or an experienced mixologist looking for inspiration, these seven recipes offer an intriguing mix of flavours.

While it’s fun to experiment with different ingredients and techniques, the key to a great cocktail is balanced, quality ingredients. So head tot Paneco and grab everything you need to make one of these classic whisky cocktail recipes.

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