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Top 10 Whisky Cocktails that you can make at home.

Everyone loves a dram of Whisky neat or with a dash of water. 

1.Old Fashioned


Why not start with the tried and tested Old Fashioned?  This cocktail has been around since sometime in the 1800s and has made its name in the cocktail world.  Rising and falling in popularity during its long history, it has recently made somewhat of a comeback.

Recipe-
1. Sugar Cube
Water
Ice
Orange peel to garnish
2 oz. Rye Whisky
3 dashes Angostura Bitters

2.Rob Roy


The Rob Roy was first created in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York all the way back in 1894.  Since then it has become just as famous the Old Fashioned, even in spite of not being featured prominently in a US drama.  It is a simple drink to recreate and a staple of any bar menu.

Recipe-

1- Sweet Vermouth
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Maraschino Cherry to garnish
2-  Scotch Whisky

3.Mint Julep


An important part of the legendary The Great Gatsby, the Mint Julep embodies the Roaring 20s.  These days they are best known for their presence at the Kentucky Derby, where around 80,000 Juleps are created every year.  Typically served in silver or pewter cups this cocktail is a refreshing twist to make your Bourbon that bit more exciting.

Recipe-
Mint Leaves
2 sugar cubes
2 1/2 oz. Bourbon Whiskey
Mint Sprig to garnish

4.Girvan Highball


The Highball is a simple and highly enjoyable drink that comprises Whisky and ginger ale served in a tall glass over ice.  Some recipes differ in which mixer is used, with some citing soda water instead of ginger ale.

Recipe-

Girvan Whisky
Ginger Ale
Apple slice dipped in sugar syrup to garnish

5.Penicillin


This is the cocktail that will start you on your way to loving a neat peated Scotch if you don’t already.  The joys of the Penicillin are the rich and intense flavours of peated malt coupled with the sweet and thick honey and lemon.  Australian Sam Ross, who has been mixing cocktails since 2001, first created it a few years ago and it has become increasingly popular ever since.  Using two different malts bolsters the peated qualities of the drink alongside the sweet and tangy honey and lemon.

Recipe-

2 oz blended Scotch Whisky
0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
0.75 oz Honey-Ginger Syrup
1 dash Islay Scotch whisky
Candied ginger to garnish

6.Sriracha hot Toddy


The big attraction of any Hot Toddy is obviously the soothing warmth of the whisky coupled with the sweet and sour honey and lemon.  This is the ultimate cure for any a sore throat or ailment.  But what if we take that soothing warmth and give it good ole sriracha kick! 

Recipe-

1 tablespoon Sriracha
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons Honey
1 cup Water
2 oz. Whisky

7.Winston Walker


Celebrating two of the big names in the Whisky world, lifelong fan Winston Church and his favourite dram, Johnnie Walker Red, the Winston Walker is a journey in taste.  The cocktail itself was created by Johnnie Walker in commemoration of Winston Churchill Day, which takes place on April 9th every year.  Churchill himself enjoyed his daily Johnnie Walker Red with a splash of soda and this cocktail captures that the sweet and spicy spirit of the man himself!

Recipe-

60ml Johnnie Walker Red
40ml Spitfire Beer
15ml Lemon Juice
10ml Sugar Syrup
20ml Soda
1 tbsp Marmalade
1 Cinnamon Stick to garnish

8.Rusty Nail


It is perfect for those cold winter nights when all you want is a bit of warmth. The sweetness of the Drambuie is the perfect flavour against a nice smoky Scotch and with the tang from a twist of lemon this cocktail will tantalise your taste buds all over.

Recipe-

2 oz. blended Scotch
1/2 oz. Drambuie
1 dash Angostura Bitters (optional)
Lemon twist to garnish

9.Blood and Sand


The Blood and Sand were called after a Rudolph Valentino movie.  Valentino was a pretty big name at the time and the name is pretty apt for this particular cocktail.  When the liquids settle they form a wonderful looking gradient from the orange of the juice to the red of the cherry liqueur.  The Whisky gives it sunshine like the warmth that makes it reminiscent of a beach scene.

Recipe-

3/4 oz. Johnnie Walker Black Scotch
3/4 oz. Cherry Liqueur
3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
3/4 oz. Orange Juice
Orange zest to garnish

10.Bacon and Egg Martini

What would a cocktail list be without some kind of food-based concoction, and it’s even better when that food involves bacon.   Born in the London Cocktail Club, this is the cocktail that will make you re-think the appropriate time to begin drinking.  It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere so that totally means you can begin your morning with a breakfast themed cocktail.  This is a particularly fine breakfast cocktail that includes an interesting Jack Daniels and bacon combination.  Adding maple syrup is the perfect finish and should probably be used in regular martinis as well.

Recipe-

50ml Jack Daniels infused with smoked bacon
1 Egg White
25ml Maple Syrup
20ml Lemon Juice
Dash Angostura Bitter

Make good use of your liquor cabinet with these recipes.

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