Whisky is a spirit often associated with leather armchairs, warm firesides and cold weather. While it’s a great drink to cosy up with, it’s also well suited to those longer, balmier nights. So in the spirit of lighter nights and warmer weather, here are some whisky cocktail ideas to try this spring/summer.
Whisky smash
A warm weather classic, any cocktail ‘smash’ is sure to put you in a summery mood. This simple whisky cocktail takes less than five minutes to make and is just the right amount of sweet and refreshing.
You’ll need:
- 50ml, or one measure of bourbon whiskey
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh lemon (or straight lemon juice)
- 50ml of your favourite syrup (agave works well)
Muddle the lemon and mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker or glass to release the juice and flavours. Add in the whisky, syrup and some ice. Shake about 30 times, or until the cocktail is fully combined and nice and cold.
Strain the liquid into a small glass filled with ice and garnish with additional lemon and mint.
Rock-a-Roller
Bursting with fruity flavours, the rock-a-roller whisky cocktail is definitely a crowd-pleaser. The perfect mixture of sweet and sour, whisk it up for a refreshing garden party accompaniment. You’ll need:
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 5 raspberries
- 100ml Kentucky-style bourbon (Bulleit works well)
- 30ml fresh lemon juice
- 20ml strawberry liqueur
- 4 dashes rhubarb bitters
- 1 sprig mint
Crush sugar and 4 raspberries with a spoon in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add bourbon, juice, liqueur and bitters, fill with ice; shake to chill. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass filled with ice, and garnish with remaining raspberry and mint sprig.
Blood Orange and Whisky Cocktail
A distinguished beverage to put you in the spring and summer mood, this blood orange and whisky cocktail comes with a bite of flavour to spice up your evening. Gather together the following ingredients (serves two):
- 250 ml fresh squeezed blood orange juice
- 2 tbsps Agave syrup
- 100 ml whisky
- 1 medium sized jalapeno, chopped, stem removed (about 2 tbsp)
- Garnish with sprig rosemary
In a cocktail shaker, add the blood orange juice, agave and whisky and stir until combined. Add the jalapenos, replace the shaker cap and shake three times, immediately pour through a strainer into highball glasses filled with ice, straining out the jalapenos.
Bourbon Peach Punch
Not unlike sunshine in a glass, we’re not sure this whisky cocktail could get much more summery. Full of sweet and citrus notes, the bourbon peach punch is an easy to drink, summery addition that promises to be a hit at your next gathering.
- 50ml bourbon
- 50ml pineapple juice
- 50ml lemon juice
- 1 peach sliced into 8 slices
- Black pepper to garnish
Make peach ice cubes by adding 1 sliced peach into each cavity of an ice cube tray that makes 6 large cubes. Fill with water and place in the freezer.
After the ice cubes are hard, muddle two peach slices in the bottom of a shaker. Add bourbon, lemon juice and ice and shake to mix and chill. Place one peach ice cube in a tumbler glass and strain the contents of the shaker over it. Top with 30mls of pineapple juice and fresh-cracked black pepper.
Mint Julep
This Southern classic is best known as the signature drink at the famous Kentucky Derby, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed elsewhere! Here’s what you’ll need to make this spring whisky cocktail:
- 8 mint leaves
- 1 tbsp syrup (agave works well)
- 50ml bourbon
- Mint sprig
- Angostura bitters (optional)
In a Julep cup or rocks glass, lightly muddle the mint leaves in the syrup. Add the bourbon then pack the glass tightly with crushed ice. Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside.
Top with more crushed ice to form an ice dome, and garnish with a mint sprig and a few drops of bitters (optional).
We hope these five whisky cocktail ideas give you some inspiration for all those spring/summer garden parties ahead!
