7 FAMOUS WHISKY COCKTAILS YOU SHOULD MAKE TO BEAT THIS SUMMER

Whisky is a spirit with a global fan following and is traditionally known to be taken straight, neat, on the rocks, with a little soda or water. The trends are rising such that more and more people who have loved their traditional way of consuming whisky are daring to try their favourite dram in other forms. To start with, all whisky lovers should definitely try the popular whisky cocktails before they move to the more offbeat and eccentric ones. Here we bring to you seven whisky cocktail recipes that are popular and, at the same time, will win your heart and taste buds. With simple to procure ingredients and easy-to-make methods, you can make these for your friends, family or yourself within no time.

1.  WHISKY SOUR WITH 100 PIPER’S BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Whisky sour is one of the most popular whisky cocktail recipes, which is not just easy to make but also one of the oldest and tastiest drinks you can make out of your favourite whisky brand. All you need is citrus, sugar and your favourite dram of whisky, and you are ready to taste the most refreshing summer drink. Whisky Sour is often made with bourbon, but it’s up to you to try it with other types of whiskies. So let’s see how to make a Whisky Sour with 100 Piper’s Blended Scotch Whisky. Ingredients

• 60ml Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 30ml Lemon Juice
• 15ml Lemon Lime Soda
• 1/2 tsp Sugar
• Some ice
• Lemon wedge and cherry to garnish

Method In a cocktail shaker, add Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, lemon juice, sugar and ice and shake it vigorously. Now strain it into a whisky glass and garnish it with the lemon wedge and cherry.

2. OLD FASHIONED WITH BALLANTINE’S FINEST BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Old Fashioned is a pure example of a classic whisky cocktail which has a history that dates back to the 1880s. It’s dark, boozy, sweet and a bit bitter at the same time; there is nothing that compares to the taste of an Old Fashioned whisky cocktail. Popularly known to be made with a bourbon or a rye whisky, it also makes a perfect glass of whisky cocktail with a blended Scotch whisky. So we choose the fabulous Ballantine’s Finest Blended Scotch Whisky for this whisky cocktail recipe. Ingredients

• 60ml Ballantine’s Finest Blended Scotch Whisky
• 2 tsp sugar syrup / 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1-2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• A splash of water
• Soda water (optional)
• Orange slice to garnish
• Maraschino cherry (optional) to garnish

Method In a glass tumbler, add sugar bitters and water. Stir it continuously till the sugar dissolves completely. Now fill up the glass with ice and slowly add whisky while stirring it. You may add soda water if you wish and mix. Garnish it with an orange slice and cherries.

3. IRISH MULE WITH JAMESON TRIPLE DISTILLED IRISH WHISKEY 

Irish whiskies have a completely different and distinguishing flavour palate that is most suitable for a whisky cocktail like Irish Mule. The light, fruity and floral notes of Irish whiskey come out best with this whisky cocktail recipe. This whisky cocktail is a spin-off of the classic Moscow Mule and is light, bubbly, and just ideal for summer breaks. Ingredients

• 60ml Jameson Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
• 30ml Lime juice
• 90ml ginger beer
• ½ cup Ice cubes
• Fresh mint sprig to garnish

Method Fill a glass tumbler with ice cubes. You may also take a copper mug for a classic take. Pour in the Irish whiskey and add lime juice. Fill up the glass with ginger beer and mix it with a stirrer. Garnish it with the mint sprig.

4. ROB ROY WITH CHIVAS REGAL BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Another whisky cocktail recipe from the 19th century is Rob Roy; it’s delectable, popular and vintage. Something similar to Manhattan, this one needs a Scotch rather than a bourbon. The change from an American whiskey to Scotch whisky may seem insignificant, but tasting it side by side will tell you the difference. Try this whisky cocktail recipe with Chivas Regal (age statement of your choice and availability). Ingredients

• 60ml ounces Chivas Regal Blended Scotch Whisky
• 22ml ounce sweet vermouth
• 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Some Ice cubes
• Brandied cherries to garnish

Method Into a mixing glass, add the scotch, sweet vermouth and bitters along with ice. Stir it well till it becomes chilled. Strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish it with brandied cherries.

5. WHISKY MANHATTAN WITH CANADIAN CLUB BLENDED CANADIAN WHISKEY

Whisky Manhattan is another pick from the list of most popular and oldest whisky cocktail recipes; it is an essential whiskey cocktail that everyone should taste. You may also choose the most preferred rye or bourbon whiskey, but our choice here is a Canadian whiskey- Canadian Club. Manhattan can be made with variations in its recipe, but before you go for those, try the original recipe ingredients. Ingredients

• 60ml Canadian Club Blended Canadian Whiskey
• 30ml sweet vermouth
• 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters
• Some Ice cubes
• Cherries to garnish

Method In a mixing glass, pour whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters. Add some ice cubes and stir well. Strain the liquid in a chilled cocktail glass. You can garnish it with cherries and serve.

6. JOHN COLLINS WITH BUFFALO TRACE STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

There are many Collin cocktails, and they all have one standard recipe. The only two things that make them different are, firstly, the names and secondly, the base alcohol used in them. John Collins is a whisky cocktail that uses Bourbon as base alcohol, unlike vodka in Vodka Collins and gin in Tom Collins. To make your first John Collins, we give you a good choice of bourbon- Buffalo Trace Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Ingredients

• 45ml Buffalo Trace Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 30ml lemon juice
• 15ml ounce simple syrup
• 60ml club soda
• Some Ice cubes
• Maraschino cherry to garnish
• Orange slice to garnish

Method Take a Collins glass or a highball glass and fill it up with ice cubes. Now add the bourbon, lemon juice and syrup. Stir to make it chilled. Top it up with club soda and garnish it with the orange slice and a couple of Maraschino cherries.

7. MINT JULEP WITH JIM BEAM KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

When it comes to whisky cocktails, bourbon whiskey kind of wins the show, so here we have another well-known whisky cocktail recipe made especially with bourbon whiskey. The hero ingredient of this recipe other than the bourbon is mint. The mint adds a refreshing taste and aroma to the drink, making it perfect as an Indian summer cocktail. To make this, we are opting for renowned bourbon whiskey- Jim Beam. Ingredients

• 60ml Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 8 Mint leaves
• 7-8ml Simple syrup
• Some Crushed ice
• Mint sprig to garnish
• Angostura bitters to garnish

Methods Start by muddling the mint leaves with simple syrup in a rock glass or a julep cup. Pour the bourbon and fill it to the top with crushed ice. Stir till the walls of the glass get chilled. Top this up with more crushed ice and make a dome. Garnish it with mint sprig and Angostura bitters. There is nothing more soothing than a chilled drink on a hot summer day. If you are a whisky fan but have never tried whisky cocktails, then you should start with the above list of these popular cocktails to ensure you do not miss the experience of these age-old flavoursome recipes. Once tasted, these are sure to win your heart and become your favourite!