At the end of a hard day of house hunting or getting your home ready for an open house, the promise of a whiskey drink waiting for you can be a very welcome treat.
Here’s 10 of the best whiskey drinks which use a wide variety of other ingredients to deliver sharp, clean and refreshing tastes for a range of palates.
1) Whiskey Sour
1 part lemon juice
2 parts bourbon
1/2 part egg white
1/2 part simple syrup
Ice cubes or crushed ice
Slice of orange and cherry to garnish
A particularly refreshing short drink, the sharpness of the lemon blends well with the alcohol beautifully. To create the perfect Whiskey Sour, simply put all of the ingredients (other than the garnish) into a shaker and give it a good jiggle for around 20 seconds.
Put some ice cubes into a glass and then strain the chilled liquid over the top making sure to fill the glass. Add the garnish for the finishing touch.
2) Manhattan
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
1 splash Angostura bitters
1 twist orange peel
1 maraschino cherry
Pour the bitters, the vermouth and the bourbon into a glass and add 2-3 ice cubes. Stir very gently so that the drink doesn’t get clouded but is thoroughly blended. Take a new glass that’s been chilled until it’s cold to the touch and place the cherry inside. Strain the drink mixture into the glass directly over the cherry. Rub the orange peel (the cut side) over the edge of the glass and then give it a final twist to allow some of the oils to drop into the drink. Do not place the peel into the drink. Sip and enjoy the blend of flavors of this classic cocktail.
3) Tennessee Margarita
1 oz whiskey
1/2 oz orange liqueur (such as Gran Marnier or Cointreau)
Margarita Mix to fill
This whiskey cocktail is an easy one to make. Simply pour the ingredients into a large glass with ice, add a squeeze of lime juice and relax.
4) Fox and Hounds
1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey (should be less than 100% proof)
1/2 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed preferably)
1/2 oz sugar solution
1/4 oz absinthe
1 egg white (large)
3 splashes Orange Bitters
Ice cubes
This traditional whiskey drink can be made with Pernod but to give it a contemporary twist, this has been replaced with absinthe in this recipe. The addition of the Orange Bitters provides an extra depth and tang to the flavor.
Combine all of the ingredients other than the Orange Bitters and the ice into a shaker. Shake the mixture sufficiently well to combine the ingredients; around 10 shakes should be enough. Add ice to fill the shaker approximately halfway and then shake again, continuing until the egg white becomes frothy. The ice should have dispersed throughout the drink mixture to make it feel nicely chilled. Take a fresh cocktail glass and strain into it, adding the Orange Bitters on the top to finish.
5) Bourbonella
1 3/4 shot bourbon
3/4 shot extra dry martini
3/4 shot Triple Sec
1/4 shot pomegranate and grenadine syrup (2:1)
3 splashes of Peychaud’s aromatic bitters
Ice
Mix all the ingredients together, including the ice and stir gently but thoroughly. Take a separate glass which has been chilled so it’s cold to the touch and then using a strainer, filter the bourbon drink mixture into it before garnishing with a maraschino cherry.
6) Narragansett
2 oz bourbon
1oz sweet vermouth
Absinthe or Pernod
A twist of lemon
Pour the three liquid ingredients into a chilled rock glass which is filled with ice cubes. Add the twist of lemon to the top and that’s all there is to it! A quick whiskey drink that’s still just as satisfying, there’s a sweet medley of flavors here that provide a rich and fulfilling experience.
7) Orange Climax
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz peach Schnapps
1 oz orange juice
1/2 oz smooth whiskey (such as Jack Daniels)
Whipped cream (optional)
This cocktail can be made in any type of glass, regardless of shape so it’s a versatile drink you can enjoy easily. Pour each of the ingredients into a shaker and then combine thoroughly by shaking. Transfer from the shaker and into your chosen glass and add whipped cream as an optional garnish.
8) Hot Scotch Nightcap
4 oz boiling milk
1 oz Scotch
1/2 oz Drambuie
1/2 oz dark creme de cacao
You will need a heatproof cup to enjoy this alcoholic nightcap which is guaranteed to help you relax before bed. Pour all of the ingredients into a heatproof cup and mix well but gently, taking care not to spill the contents and burn yourself in the process. Once thoroughly blended, serve immediately and drink while still warm.
9) Forty Creek Caesar
2 oz whiskey
2 oz clamato juice
2 oz tomato juice
1 splash Worcestershire sauce
1 splash Tabasco sauce
1/2 oz Italian dressing
For the rim
Celery salt
Apricot jam
Montreal Steak Spice
Mix together the Montreal Steal Spice and celery salt in a 1:1 ratio, and spread over the rim of the glass, all around the circumference, using the apricot jam to make sure it adheres.
Fill the cocktail glass partially with ice, approximately halfway. Add in the Italian dressing, the Tabasco sauce and the Worcestershire sauce. On top of this combination, add in the whiskey, the clamato and the tomato juices. Stir very gently to make sure the integrity of the ingredients is preserved, and then add an appropriate garnish.
Because of the savory nature of this whiskey drink, it’s recommended that a garnish such as grilled prawns, hot peppers, cheese cubes, pepperoni, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, dill pickle or barbecued sausage be chosen.
10) Pillow Mint
2 oz Irish whiskey
1/2 oz Kahlua
1 dash of mint Schnapps
Using a traditional style of glass which has been chilled, add ice and stir all ingredients together thoroughly to create a smooth and enjoyable drink.
A drink for every occasion
No matter what your personal preference is, there is a whiskey drink for everyone. Sweet, sour and savory recipes are all included here; which one will you pick to try tonight?
