7 Summer Whiskey
Cocktails To Try
Many people view whiskey as a winter-warmer spirit, however you can actually enjoy it all year round. In fact, there are many whiskey-based cocktails that are perfect for a hot summer’s day.
Below are just a few whisky cocktails that could be worth trying this summer.
Manhattan
The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that is traditionally made from rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters (usually a dash of orange bitters and a dash of angostura bitters). It is typically served in a martini glass and garnished with a cherry.
This New York favorite is ideal for a chic event and is suitable for all seasons. While most cocktail bars stick to the classic recipe, there are a few different spins on the Manhattan that you can try. This usually involves swapping out rye whiskey for a regular bourbon or even a Scotch. Serve on the rocks to keep it cool.
Kentucky lemonade
The Kentucky lemonade is a great cocktail for when you fancy something citrusy and refreshing, but with a whiskey kick. It’s made from lemon juice, water, sugar, ginger ale and bourbon. Mint leaves are often added into the drink and it is usually garnished with a slice of lemon. A highball glass is best for this cocktail.
The bitterness of the lemon and the ginger really goes well with the bourbon, while the mint cools it down. A non-alcoholic version can be made simply by removing the bourbon. For an authentic taste of Kentucky, try one of these Kentucky whiskeys.
Belmont breeze
The Belmont breeze was once the official drink of the Belmont Stakes horse race and has since been replaced by the Belmont jewel. While both the breeze and jewel are worthy cocktails, the Belmont breeze has a lot more depth than its successor and is the perfect lightly fruity beverage for a summer event (whether that be a day at the races or something else entirely).
To make this drink combine 1 ½ ounces of bourbon, ½ ounce of dry sherry, ½ ounce of lemon juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup, 1 splash or orange juice, 1 splash of cranberry juice and 5 mint leaves. Garnish this with a sprig of mint and an orange slice. This drink is best served in a highball glass.
Mint julep
Love whiskey? Love mint? The Mint julep is a simple cocktail that combines the two in perfect balance for a cool beverage with a subtly fiery kick. It is most commonly found in the southern states and is often served at the Kentucky Derby.
This drink is served in a highball glass and consists of bourbon, mint leaves, sugar syrup and crushed ice. Garnish this with a sprig of mint. Any bourbon goes well with this cocktail, but if you want to replicate the Kentucky Derby variety, choose a Kentucky bourbon.
Bourbon Slushy
If you’ve got a slushy machine, why not consider making some bourbon slushy this summer? Bourbon slushy can be prepared using bourbon and any mixer of your choice. For a refreshing summery whiskey cocktail, combine bourbon with lemonade and ginger ale – then mix, freeze and slush!
There are many other slushy alcohol drinks that are perfect for when you need to cool down on a summer’s day. You don’t have to use a slushy machine – ice can be crushed to the right consistency in a blender or even crushed by hand in a zipped bag.
Coconut highball
If you’re looking for something tropical that incorporates whiskey, a coconut highball could be worth trying. This cocktail combines scotch whiskey, lemon juice, coconut syrup and soda water. Serve this in a highball glass and garnish with a lemon slice.
Which type of scotch is best suited for a coconut highball? Ideally, Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth – this scotch contains notes of tropical fruits and brown sugar that pair well with coconut.
Peach whiskey iced tea
Peach syrup, whiskey and black tea make for another great summery poolside cocktail. This cocktail is perfect for serving in a pitcher and can be garnished with lemon slices or even peach slices. You can make your own peach syrup or buy syrups online (check out this homemade peach syrup recipe if you’ve got time to make your own).
It’s worth noting that you can make a long island iced tea using whiskey. This is sometimes known as a Texas iced tea and contains other spirits including gin, vodka and triple sec. This cocktail usually has a much higher alcohol content and the whiskey is a lot more subtle due to the use of other spirits.
