How many times have you had friends over, eager to impress them with your liquor selection? However, as delicious as whiskey can be on its own, inevitably someone is going to ask if you have something to mix it with. If you’re not prepared, you might be forced to mix that fancy whiskey with a simple Coca Cola or soda water, sullying the fine flavor of that whiskey.
Next time you have guests over, be prepared with a few unique whiskey cocktails that are built to impress. We have 7 amazing cocktails for you, and while you don’t need to use all of them, we’re sure you’ll find quite a few appealing for both your tastes and your guests.
Espresso Old Fashioned
Sure, the old fashioned is the king of cocktails, but have you ever tried it with espresso? My two biggest vices are caffeine and alcohol, so this cocktail is right up my alley, and absolutely delicious.
Here’s what you need:
- 1 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 double shot espresso (about 2 oz.), room temperature
- .25 oz simple syrup
- A dash of Peychaud’s bitters
- 1-inch slice of lemon peel
How to make it:
Mix your rye whiskey or bourbon of choice with the espresso, simple syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Stir and strain into a lowball glass with ice. Twist the lemon peel over the cocktail and then rub it on the rim of the glass. Voila!
Irish Wolfhound
I’m sure you’ve heard of a greyhound, the classic vodka and grapefruit cocktail, but did you know it has a whiskey counterpart that’s arguably even more delicious?
This drink comes to us courtesy of Jameson so the recipe calls for their Black Barrel Reserve, but if you have another whiskey preference I’m sure it will be just as delicious.
Here’s what you need:
- 50ml whiskey
- 50ml Ginger Beer
- 20ml Pink Grapefruit
- Spiced Blackcurrant Cordial
- Pinch of Salt
How to make it:
Mix the ginger beer, juice, and whiskey in a glass. Dip one grapefruit slice into the salt and drop into the drink. Garnish the glass with one or two other grapefruit slices. If desired, a salted rim can be used for this drink. Tasty!
Cynar Toronto
You may have never heard of this drink, but it’s quite delicious, and also very quick and easy to make, making it a great party cocktail. This cocktail makes ample use of the delicious Italian bitter Cynar, which is a blend of 13 different herbs.
Here’s what you need:
- 4 ounces rye
- 1 1/2 ounces Cynar
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
How to make it:
The measurements given are for two drinks. Simply mix all of the ingredients into a shaker, fill with ice, and shake for about 20 seconds. After that, just strain the delicious concoction into two coupe glasses and enjoy!
The Brain Storm
The Brain Storm is a simple, citrusy cocktail from the classic The Savoy Cocktail Book. It’s another quick, easy cocktail with plenty of flavor, and only uses three ingredients, making it a handy cocktail to have on deck at any time.
Here’s what you need:
- 2 ounces Irish whiskey
- 1/2 ounce Benedictine
- 1/2 ounce French vermouth
How to make it:
It’s another simple one! Mix all the ingredients into cocktail shaker. Add ice, stir well, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel, squeezed and then dropped into the finished cocktail.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I’ve seen a few drinks with this name, but this specific rendition of the drink is a perfect cocktail for a romantic evening at home. This cocktail calls for a good American whiskey and some quality bubbles. Intrigued? Read on.
Here’s what you need:
- 20ml American whiskey
- 10ml fig liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Prosecco
How to make it:
This one is easy, you don’t even need to break out your cocktail shaker! Add the whiskey, fig liqueur, and orange bitters into a champagne flute. After that, simply top off the flute glass with your favorite prosecco! I’m normally a huge fan of the French 77 but this might be my new favorite champagne cocktail.
Hard Cider Spritz
In case you couldn’t tell, my favorite thing to mix with alcohol is more alcohol. Much like the last cocktail, this one mixes your favorite whiskey with a sweeter type of alcohol. This time, it’s a dry hard cider. This drink can also easily be made in large batches, so break out the punch bowl and let’s get drinking!
Here’s what you need:
- 16 ounces dry hard cider
- 6 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Club soda
- Apple slices
How to make it:
The measurements listed above will make 4 drinks. Simply adjust the measurements if you’re making a big punch bowl, or lower them if you’re drinking alone (but we hope you aren’t). Mix the hard cider, apple cider, whiskey, aperol, and lemon juice together and stir. Top off your glass with club soda, and garnish with a couple apple slices.
Backwoods Bourbon Punch
This cocktail is another great party cocktail that you can easily make multiple drinks at the same time. It’s ideally made 4 drinks at a time in a shaker, but if you’re feeling ambitious and have a large crew coming, this is another drink with a punch bowl option. After all, it has punch in the name, right?
Here’s what you need:
- 6 ounces bourbon
- 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces sweet vermouth
- 1⅓ ounces grenadine
- Lemon twists
- Maraschino cherries
How to make it:
The measurements are for four drinks. Combine the bourbon, grenadine, vermouth, and grapefruit juice in an iced shaker, and shake for about 20 seconds. Strain into iced rocks glasses, and garnish with a lemon twist and a maraschino cherry!
Beyond Whiskey Cocktails: Throwing your cocktail party!
Now that you have a bunch of great unique whiskey cocktails at your disposal, it’s time to throw a party. Maverick Whiskey’s private event space in San Antonio is the perfect place to try out these unique cocktails and impress all your friends. And with whiskey made right on site, you’ll never run out. Drink safe and party hard!
