Manhattan
A Manhattan is a cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
While rye is the traditional whiskey of choice, other commonly used whiskies include Canadian whisky, bourbon, blended whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey.
Recipe:
2 oz. Rye or Canadian Whisky
3/4 oz. Sweet red vermouth
Dash Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry (Garnish)
Method:
Step One: Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
Step Two: Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora or coupe glass.
Step Three: Garnish with a brandied cherry (or a lemon twist, if preferred).
Old Fashioned
The Whiskey Old Fashioned is little more than a slug of whiskey, it’s seasoned and sweetened. Yet for all of its suave simplicity, the drink remains as relevant today as it was when it first was first created almost 200 years ago.
Recipe:
2 oz. Whiskey
1 teaspoon sugar
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 teaspoon water
Garnish: orange twist
Method:
Step One: Add sugar and bitters into a mixing glass, add water, stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved.
Step Two: Fill the mixing glass with ice, add the bourbon, and stir until well-chilled.
Step Three: Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
Step Four: Express the oil of an orange twist over the glass, then drop into the glass to garnish.
Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour is a mixed drink containing whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and optionally, a dash of egg white. It is a type of sour, a mixed drink with a base spirit, citrus juice, and a sweetener.
Recipe:
2 oz. Whiskey
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
Orange wheel (for serving)
Maraschino cherry (for serving)
Method:
Step One: Combine bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Step Two: Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.
Step Three: Strain cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer or a slotted spoon into an old-fashioned or rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.
Whiskey Highball
The Whiskey Highball cocktail is bubbly and whiskey-forward, perfect for summer occasions.
It’s perfect for sipping as a summer drink, a before dinner drink (aperitif), or cocktail hour drink.
Recipe:
2 oz. Whiskey
4 ounces soda water (or ginger ale or ginger beer, for a sweeter spin*)
Lemon wedge
Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
Method:
Step One: Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the whiskey and soda water and stir gently.
Step Two: Pour Whisky of choice over ice and top with Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Ale.
Step Three: Squeeze in the lemon wedge and serve.
Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is a Bourbon cocktail best known as the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby. But this refreshing cocktail, composed of bourbon, sugar, mint and crushed ice is great for any time of year.
Recipe:
2 oz. Bourbon
4 mint leaves
1/4 oz. simple syrup
Garnish: mint sprig
Garnish: Angostura bitters (optional)
Method:
Step One: In a Julep cup or rocks glass, lightly muddle the mint leaves in the simple syrup.
Step Two: Add the bourbon then pack the glass tightly with crushed ice.
Step Three: Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside.
Step Four: Top with more crushed ice to form an ice dome, and garnish with a mint sprig and a few drops of bitters (optional).
Whisky Lemonade
This simple 3-ingredient Whiskey cocktail has long been a summertime favorite. It is super refreshing, especially served up on the rocks with a hint of fresh rosemary or mint.
Recipe:
2 oz. Whiskey
1 - 2 oz. Lemonade (either homemade or store-bought) to taste.
A sprig of rosemary or fresh mint for muddling, plus an extra sprig for garnish.
Ice
Method:
Step One: Add the whiskey, lemonade, and a sprig of fresh rosemary or mint to a cocktail shaker. Use a cocktail muddler (or the end of a thick wooden spoon) to briefly muddle the herb.
Step Two: Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice.
Step Three: Top with an extra sprig of rosemary or fresh mint, plus a lemon peel or slice, if desired.
Bloody Whiskey
Spicy and savory, this satisfying take on the Bloody Mary features ingredients that give this cocktail a well-rounded flavor with a bold whiskey kick.
Recipe:
1-1/2 parts Whiskey
4 parts tomato juice
1/4 part Hot Sauce
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes celery bitters
1 wedge lime
1 olive
1 tsp. salt/pepper/paprika (optional)
Method:
Step One: Combine all ingredients in tin with ice and shake well.
Step Two: Strain into pint glass over fresh ice.
Step Three: Garnish with olives, cheese, banana peppers, cured meats, etc.
Rusty Nail
The rusty nail is the ultimate Scotch cocktail. It's a very simple mixture of just two ingredients—Scotch and Drambuie. It is served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass.
This drink is designed to be a sophisticated, slow-sipping drink, and is excellent after a good dinner.
Recipe:
1 1/2 oz. Scotch
3/4 oz. Drambuie
Method:
Step One: Add the Scotch and Drambuie into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
Step Two: Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
John Collins
The John Collins cocktail is similar to a Tom Collins but features Whiskey instead of gin. It still mixes in club soda, simple syrup, and lemon juice to make a refreshing cocktail. Serve with a straw.
Recipe:
2 oz. whiskey
1 oz. lemon juice
1 teaspoon simple syrup
2 cups ice, divided
2 oz. club soda
1 orange slice
1 lemon slice
1 maraschino cherry
Method:
Step One: Combine whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup ice, cover, and shake until chilled. Strain into a Collins glass. Add 1 cup ice, fill with club soda, and stir.
Step Two: Garnish with orange and lemon slices and a maraschino cherry.
The Whiskey Mule
Swap vodka for whiskey in a Moscow mule and you’ve got the The Whiskey Mule! It’s bubbly, bright and bold: with zingy lime and a spicy whiskey finish. Even better: it’s easy to make!
Recipe:
1 1/2 oz. Whiskey
3 oz. Ginger Beer
2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
A few leaves of fresh mint (optional)
Crushed ice
Method:
Step One: Pour the whiskey, lime juice, and ginger beer into a copper mug or serving glass of your choice.
Step Two: Add ice and garnish with lime.
Whiskey Sidecar
The Sidecar is a variation on the classic Sidecar, one of the great sour cocktails. It was invented in the 1920s, and the name likely came from an American army captain who drove around in a motorcycle sidecar.
Recipe:
2 oz. Whiskey
1 oz. orange liqueur
3 tablespoons superfine sugar
1 lemon wedge
3/4 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Ice
Method:
Step One: Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes.
Step Two: Strain into a glass and add ice. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Serve with a lemon twist or peel if you’d like.
