What Are Good Whiskey Drinks

Peanut Butter Whiskey Old Fashioned

Looking for a fun way to drink peanut butter whiskey? Try the Peanut Butter Whiskey Old Fashioned! This spin on the classic uses sweet Skrewball peanut butter whiskey in place of bourbon or rye. The drink could not be more different from the original! Double the bitters and add a little soda water to balance out the sweetness, and its got a bit of a Wisconsin Old Fashioned vibe.

Ingredients: Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, Angostura bitters, soda water

Of The Best Whiskey Cocktails That Show Whiskey Is A Versatile Spirit

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When it comes to making cocktails, spirits like gin, vodka, and tequila tend to be the most popular. Whiskey features much less often, partly because whiskey can easily be enjoyed on the rocks or neat where you get to taste the nuances and complexities of your drink. Even so, the best whiskey cocktails shouldnt be overlooked.

Cocktails like these have many advantages. Theyre perfect for anyone who finds neat whiskey too overbearing or who doesnt enjoy the flavor profile. Cocktails are also a great way to use relatively inexpensive whiskey, including bottles that you wouldnt normally consider drinking neat.

Whiskey cocktails often taste amazing in their own right. Theres a reason that they never completely go out of style.

In this list, youll find a variety of whiskey cocktails. Some of these are classic drinks that have been mixed time and time again over the years. Others are relatively recent creations or variations on old classics.

Just remember that your whiskey choice does still matter. Its true that the flavors of whiskey dont shine through in cocktails as much as if you were drinking the whiskey straight.

Even so, the differences between whiskeys are often considerable. These differences can strongly impact the flavor profile of your cocktails. The same is true if you’re combining whiskey with a mixer.

• Four Horsemen

Run For The Hills Rob Roy Cocktail

This recipe might just have your nose hairs running for the hills because of its incorporation of the high-proof liquor, absinthe. Yet, just a few dashes make this addition mild enough for even the most sensitive of stomachs to handle with ease.

Ingredients

• 1 lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

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Buffalo Gap Ginger Snap

This fresh and strong bevvy will be your new go-to drink for a hot dayjust like these other sunny cocktails to sip when the mercury rises.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce simple syrup. Heres how to make it.
• Thin slice of fresh ginger

Directions: Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker until very cold, then pour over ice. Serve in a rocks glass. Top with a splash of ginger beer and garnish with an orange wheel.

Using Basic Simple Syrup In Cocktails

Many classic and modern cocktails call for simple syrup. Most commonly, it’s used in sours, which are cocktails that are made with a sour ingredient such as lemon juice or lime juice, a sweet ingredient , and a strong ingredient . When using basic simple syrup in a sour, use the following ratio:

• 1 part sour
• 1 part simple syrup or cordial
• 2 parts strong

Shake sours in a cocktail shaker with ice and then strain them into the appropriate cocktail glass , and finish with the appropriate garnish. You’ll see this ratio in action in a number of cocktails including:

• Whiskey sour

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Apple Cider Old Fashioned

Apple cider is a fall favorite, making apple cider cocktails a perfect choice for the holidays. There are plenty of variations too, from simple cocktails to more complex ones.

An apple cider old fashioned uses the Angostura bitters and whiskey that you find in an old fashioned cocktail. But, instead of using a sugar cube, youre getting sweetness from the apple cider instead.

Using apple cider instead of a sugar cube makes this an easier drink to prepare too. You just add the ingredients to a glass and stir everything together.

The cocktail is often served cold, with ice in the glass to keep everything at the right temperature. You could easily change this up and make a warm version of the cocktail instead.

Whiskey Drinks That Could Help Cure Your Cold

Here, seven whiskey cocktails to help dilate your blood vessels and put you on the path to recovery.

When youre stuffed up and sick, theres nothing better than a fragrant and boozy hot toddy. And it turns out thats not just because of the cocktails mood-lifting effects. According to a doctor interviewed by ABC, The alcohol dilates blood vessels a little bit, and that makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infections. So while a cocktail wont heal you, it can help your body heal itself.

Here, seven whiskey cocktails to help dilate your blood vessels and put you on the path to recovery.

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Best Rye: Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey

ABV: 43% | Age: 3 years | Volume: 750 milliliters

Rye whiskey doesnt make it into a bars well often, but its not uncommon to spot a bottle of Old Overholt among the stock of inexpensive liquors used for well drinks. This whiskey held on through the decades of the rye decline when many other brands shuttered. While it has gone through some changes over the years, it has been reformulated to reflect the pre-Prohibition whiskey.

Bottles of Old Overholt Rye received an update in 2020. While the 80-proof bottles may linger for some time, the brands base straight rye whiskey is now a bolder and more flavorful 86 proof. Along with a few updates to the label, this is welcome news for old-time whiskey enthusiasts. It remains a nice and affordable introduction to the spiciness of rye, is a great choice for cocktails, and will long remain a favorite as a shot with a beer back.

ABV: 40% | Age: 4 years | Volume: 750 milliliters

Irish whiskey is characteristically smooth and mixable. Its also generally reasonably priced, with just a few bottles stretching into the luxury market. While there are some well-known brands that are nice to drink, 2 Gingers is a good change of pace at a price thats hard to beat. Its a product of the Kilbeggan Distillery, so it has a well-regarded name in this whiskey style behind it.

Best Irish: West Cork 8

courtesy of LiquorBarn.com

Region: Ireland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Dried apples, Honey, Baking spices

While some American consumers regrettably limit their consumption of Irish whiskey to the occasional shot purchased by a casual acquaintance at a sports bar, there’s also a vibrant and growing list of Irish craft whiskies that deserve our attention. West Cork produces a gorgeous single-malt that sees Irish barley and local spring water going into a hand-built copper pot still, with the resulting distillate matured for eight years in first-fill, flame-charred bourbon barrelsleading to far more depth and character than fans of other whiskies may typically associate with the category. The well-balanced palate features pretty notes of dried apple and honey segueing to a baking-spice finish, and all at an approachable 80 proof. You won’t want to shoot this one.

Region: Ontario, Canada | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Raisin, Coffee

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Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy

Feeling a sore throat coming on? Try curing it the old school way with a tantalizing hot toddy.

This rendition uses maple syrup as a natural sweetener and some chili pepper to give it a fiery kick.

Sore throat or not, this is the perfect way to warm up on a cold day.

Need a spirited beverage to pair with the holidays? You simply cant go wrong with whiskey egg nog.

While I like egg nog with rum, I prefer it the whiskey way.

This recipe keeps it simple with bourbon, egg, sugar, and milk. Use a shaker to combine the ingredients, then strain into a tall glass.

While its optional, I think a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon makes a joyful touch.

Jim Beam Kentucky Sunrise

Ive mentioned plenty of Jack Daniels and Bulleit drinks, but now its time for good old Jim Beam.

This Kentucky bourbon cocktail is simple, sweet, and citrusy. Other than Jim Beam, all youll need is some orange juice and grenadine.

The fresh fruity taste and overall simplicity make this the epitome of summer whiskey cocktails.

Of course, I cant mention whiskey cocktails without talking about one of my favorite mules.

The Kentucky mule is a vibrant libation packed with fiery ginger beer and fresh lime.

I love how beads of condensation build up on the copper mug that keeps this cocktail ice cold.

An award-winning classic film needs a stiff drink that can live up to its legendary reputation.

This cocktail recipe manages to do that with just two ingredients, bourbon, and amaretto.

Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur thats very fitting for this drink.

Mix it with bourbon and it adds some flavorful nuances that make this surprisingly complex given the short ingredient list.

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Best Bourbon: Old Forester 86 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

ABV: 43% | Age: 4 years | Volume: 750 milliliters, 1 liter

Old Forester is an old name in the bourbon world. It is the original brand of what would come to be the liquor industry giant Brown-Forman, which owns some of todays best-known distilled spirit brands. Old Foresters flagship bottle is everything you’d expect from a good Kentucky whiskey: a timeless, reliable bourbon that never disappoints.

A whiskey dating back to 1870, Old Forester 86 Proof survived Prohibition, which forced many distillers out of business. It has remained a figure in bars and a great value in the whiskey industry. Offering a smooth experience, it does start out sharp, but the taste mellows perfectly with hints of oak, corn, and rye. This one can easily become your go-to, and it makes a great whiskey sour. Its nutty spice also shines in highballs like the Presbyterian.

Begin Exploring The World Of Great Whiskey Drinks

The Spruce / Claire Cohen

The world of whiskey is vast and constantly expanding. Likewise, the list of great whiskey cocktails continues to grow. There are, however, a few tried and true recipes that are essential to creating a well-rounded whiskey experience.

These drinks showcase the versatility of whiskey. They include some of the most popular whiskey cocktails that enthusiasts have enjoyed for decades . It is a perfect list for the beginner to explore everything possible with whiskey.

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Best Grain Scotch: Compass Box Hedonism

Region: Scotland | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Coconut, Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla

A century ago, many Scottish whiskies were made with grains, including corn and wheat, but declined in popularity as big producers started focusing on single malt whiskies. Maverick whisky maker John Glaser rehabilitated it, searching out old grain barrels and blending them together in making Compass Box Hedonism.

H. Joseph Ehrmann, owner of San Franciscos Elixir Saloon and co-founder of Fresh Victor, calls it a head-turner that can open your eyes to the pleasures of grain whisky. With its coconut and caramel notes, it tastes fun, says Tardie. Glasers doing a wonderful service for blended scotch.

Region: Highlands | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Coffee, Espresso, Raisins, Cinnamon

did something innovative, says Tardie. They toasted the barley so much that they call it a chocolate malt.

Just as in beer making, where a chocolate malt adds mocha flavor to a porter or stout, this Highland scotch is rich in cocoa and espresso notes that only deepen over time. Its made from the distillerys oldest whisky35- to 40-year-old scotch, aged in American white oakwhich gives it a gravitas that Tardie appreciates. As you sip it, and as the alcohol burns off, he says, theres a strong characteristic of dark chocolate and coffee grinds.

Holiday Whiskey Drinks That Are Fun And Delicious

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Weve been spending some time talking about drinks for the holidays, including ones made using tequila, prosecco, and rum. Today, were going to talk about an even more important topic holiday whiskey drinks. After all, whiskey is a beloved spirit for many.

The popularity of whiskey isnt surprising either. The dark spirit has a complexity to it that works well for sipping and also in cocktails. Plus, theres so much variation between different types of whiskey . Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Canadian whisky, bourbon, and rye whiskey are just some of the types out there, and each category has plenty of varied whiskeys.

Its not surprising then that there are many types of whiskey cocktails. The ones in this list all fit well into the holiday theme. Some have colors or flavors that go perfectly with the season, while others are warming instead. Finally, some are simply too interesting to ignore. Why not check the selection out and find a new cocktail or two to try out?

• Spiced Bourbon Milk Punch

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Best Under $: Aberfeldy 12 Year Old

Region: Highlands | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Cherry cola, Bittersweet, Tannic, Bright

For a reasonably-priced option, look no further than this whisky from Aberfeldy, a Central Highlands distillery that started operating in 1898. The facility is situated along the Pitilie Burn, a lively stream whose churning, fresh water results in a clean, brisk scotch.

An everyday pour, this whisky offers cherry cola aromas with a mouth-coating, mid-palate sweetness that finishes in bittersweet, woody tannins. Easy to drink neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water, or mixed into warming cocktails, its light enough at 40 percent ABV for a midday tipple, yet flavorful for post-work happy hour.

Best Peated Scotch: Bowmore 12 Year Old

Caskers

Region: Islay, Scotland| ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Peat, Chocolate, Cherry

While the Scottish island of Islay is known for producing whiskys featuring heavy smoke flavors . Bowmore is only mildly peated compared to some other Islay bottlingsbut the smoke character is nevertheless distinctly present. That said, the peatiness is balanced out in this 12-year-old whisky by a rich array of fruit and spice flavors, complimented by notes of honey and vanilla. The distillery is the first recorded to be in operation on Islay, and this long, storied history is present in this approachable yet pleasantly smoky single malt.

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What Is The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey

Bourbon is a style of whiskey that must be produced in the United States. Unlike other whiskeys, bourbon must be made according to specific regulations. These include a mash bill composed of at least 51 percent corn, the strength at which it is distilled and bottled, and aging in new, charred oak barrels.

Best Rye Whiskey Cocktails Reviews In 2022

• HANDCRAFTED COCKTAIL: Enjoy the perfect Old Fashioned every time with Strongwaters refined recipe. Well-balanced, roundly smooth & layered, this non-alcoholic blend is good enough to drink on its own over ice.
• GOOD FOODS AWARD FINALIST: Nationally recognized as a Good Foods Award Finalist in 2020
• ORGANIC CHERRIES & ORANGE ZEST: Tart organic cherries and fresh orange peel mixed with the perfect blend of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and bitter herbs create the best Old Fashioned drink mixer.
• POUR AND ENJOY: Fill your glass with ice, add Strongwater Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup, then add the whiskey, bourbon, or rye of your choice. Stir it up & there you have it – the perfect Old Fashioned!
• NO-NONSENSE: This flavored cocktail syrup is non-GMO & gluten-free. Contains no alcohol. Best used within 3-4 months of opening but expiration date is set for August 2022.

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Should You Add Water Or Ice To Whisky

Try both with and without water. Adding a few drops of water to a whisky will bring out different flavours, especially with higher ABV spirits.

Ice tempers the intensity of the whisky and will gradually dilute it, so if you’re at the beginning of your whisky adventure, this is a nice way to start. As the ice melts the flavour of the whisky will change as well.

If you want to chill your drink without diluting the flavour, try using whisky stones. The more whiskies you taste, the most your vocabulary will expand and with it your ability to describe every delicious aspect of your drink.

For an in-depth examination of geographical influences of the spirit, check out our guide whisky or whiskey: what’s the difference? Ready to get to the tasting? Grab your whisky glass and pour yourself a measure of marvellous malt.