It is no secret that the world of whiskey is huge and constantly expanding and even as the brands gradually continue to change, so do the cocktails made with them.
Whether you’re new to whiskey or after something new – everybody goes through phases of looking for what to mix with whiskey with to get ‘spice things up’. Whilst the list of great whiskey cocktails grows on a daily basis, there are a few tried drinks that are very essential to creating an unforgettable whiskey experience. So, what are the best whiskeys mixes?
I’ve got them for you right here!
These are a true revelation of the vast range and uses of whiskey and are some of the best and most popular whiskey cocktails year in year out.
Old-fashioned Cocktail
This classic whiskey cocktail has been served since around the year 1880 at the Pendennis Club in Kentucky and is (arguably) the very first drink to be referred to as a cocktail. As a matter of fact, it is the perfect ideal of what a cocktail should exactly contain: a sweet, a spirit, a sour, a bitter, and water.
Characteristically, the whiskey Old Fashioned is made with bourbon, but you can choose to experiment with any other type of whiskey depending on your own taste. Club soda is often used to top off this particular drink, but remember this is not a traditional method.
Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour is possibly the most common of all the existing sour drinks and rightfully so, it is a perfect cocktail. Well, it is sour, yes, but make no mistake about it. The sweetness of certain whiskeys and the simple syrup mostly tend to offset and positively complement the tartness.
Do yourself a favor and use fresh lemon juice – it is without a doubt the key to the best Whiskey Sour. Alongside your choice of whiskey of course which can ultimately create a totally different cocktail depending on brand and style. It’s fairly common to use Bourbon as well.
Classic Mint Julep
If you are in horse racing then you will definitely know this as the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby during which about 70,000 juleps are served. Traditionally, the classic Mint Juleps is served in pewter or silver cups and held by the rim or handle in order for the cup to preserve optimum frost, but they also work well in any tall glass.
Beyond the sugar, bourbon and mint, the only other vital requirement for Mint Julep is crushed ice. If you try any other form of ice then you will not get the same effect, so always take time to create a great mound of crushed ice right before mixing this cocktail.
As an alternative to muddling the sugar cube and mint you can also decide to infuse a sugar syrup with mint. With this much bourbon in your drink, gentle and slow sipping is the perfect way to enjoy.
The Classic Manhattan Cocktail
One of the oldest and finest cocktails, the Manhattan is rightly a classic cocktail. It is a rather simple drink, requiring only a few ingredients and it is in fact one of the essential whiskey cocktails that everybody should know about.
As with the Gin Martini, there are so many different ways to make a Manhattan. Even though it is an easy cocktail, there are many choices to be made and it all starts with the whiskey.
Highball
Every ambitious professional bartender needs to put this easy highball on their list of drinks to learn by heart. Put simply it is ginger ale and whiskey. It is a simple yet fantastic and refreshing way to fully enjoy any style of whiskey. Canadian, Rye, or even bourbon whiskies work exceptionally well.
Of course you will find some Highball recipes that require you to use soda water, but ginger ale is the most mixer.
This unique mixed drink should never be confused with the other class of drinks commonly referred to as “highballs.” They normally include tall drinks with one or two non-alcoholic mixers and a base spirit. Not to be very confusing, a Highball is just a “highball” and is always served in a highball glass.
Algonquin Cocktail
We the lovers of whiskey will admittedly confess that the Algonquin Cocktail is indeed a great whiskey “martini” with a diminutive tropical flare. It features the rye whiskey, which has, luckily, come back into fashion and now we have a couple of great brands to select from. Templeton Rye, Whistle Pig, Knob Creek Rye and Redemption are all ones that I would highly recommend for this particular cocktail.
So are you still looking for that perfect taste? Then mix drinks with whiskey.
