A Beginner's Guide: 10 Easy Whiskey Drinks To Make At Home

Overview

Whiskey is surely one of the most loved and popular alcoholic beverages. There are many options available regarding your choice of drinks involving whiskey. In this vast and ever-expanding world of whiskey, you can make some easy whiskey cocktails at your home too. Some of the recipes for whiskey cocktails are easy to make and can enhance your overall whiskey experience. Because of the versatile nature of the whiskey, it can go well with different ingredients to make a perfect cocktail.

If you are a whiskey enthusiast, you must try some of the popular and the best whiskey cocktails at home. Also, you can make these cocktails for the guests coming over or for a barbecue party that you are planning to host this summer. Read on to know about the ten most exotic yet easy whiskey cocktails you can make at home.

History of Whiskey

Here is some history about this amazing alcoholic beverage for all whiskey lovers. Though whiskey is one of the most popular drinks worldwide, it has been distilled for hundreds of years in Scotland. Some even believe that whiskey has its roots in Ireland. Irish whiskey is undoubtedly one of Ireland's oldest spirits, and its history can be traced back to the 1200s.

In a debate of whether whiskey is Irish or Scottish, you must know that the Irish use their whiskey as more of a tradition. But the Scottish people use whiskey as a matter of the law. Back in time, the whiskey used to be made in the Irish and Scottish monasteries. In simple words, the origin of whiskey can be traced back about 1000 years ago in Scotland and Ireland.

Tools You'll Need To Make Whiskey Cocktails

Want to enjoy some amazing whiskey cocktails at your home? You can make it, but you need to have the right tools for that. Here are the five most important tools that you will need for making whiskey cocktails:

1. A paring knife

You will need a sharp paring knife to finely cut or slice the fruits for garnishing or making the whiskey cocktails. You can opt for either a 3.5 inch paring knife or a 4.5 inch paring knife.

This 3.5-inch paring knife is a perfect one to buy as it has incredible sharpness and excellent durability. Another paring knife comes with a blade of 4.5 inches. Both have an ultra-sharp edge to slice the fruits flawlessly and smoothly. When compared with the 3.5-inch knife, this one offers better manoeuvrability. But if you don't need a bigger knife for slicing fruits, the 3.5-inch knife can be the best option.

2. A cutting board

A good-quality chopping board can help you cut or chop the fruits properly to make the whiskey cocktail. You can buy the best 2-sided cutting board for this purpose.

 

3. Muddler

A cocktail muddler is one of the essential tools you will need to mix and smash the ingredients for your whiskey cocktail. It is used for infusing the flavor into drinks.

 

4. Cocktail Shaker

Another tool you will need to make some great cocktails at home is the cocktail shaker or bar shaker. It is used for shaking the ingredients along with the ice.

 

5. Shot Glass & Cocktail Glasses

You will need the shot glass (2 oz.) for measuring the beverages while pouring and some glasses to serve the cocktails.

10 Easy Whiskey Cocktails: How To Make?

Now that you have complete knowledge about the whiskey and the tools that you need to get for preparing the cocktail let us start. The ten best recipes for easy whiskey cocktails are:

1. Whiskey Sour

This is a classic and timeless cocktail recipe you can prepare with whiskey. You will surely love the flavor of lemon playing with the sweeter notes of the whiskey. To prepare this, you will need:

• Whiskey (2 ounces)
• Simple Syrup (3/4 ounce)
• Lemon juice (1 ounce)
• Ice

Use the paring knife to slice the lemon into two halves. Now squeeze one ounce of lemon juice, and take 2 ounces of whiskey and simple syrup in the cocktail shaker. Add some ice, and then shake it well. Once everything is properly mixed, pour the mixture into the glass. Garnish it with the classic red cherry or the lemon peel. Now, you can enjoy the perfect whiskey sour.

2. Manhattan

As the name suggests, it is a classy cocktail you can make with whiskey. It is served in a fancy martini glass. To make this sophisticated whiskey cocktail, you will need:

• Rye whiskey (2 and a half ounces)
• Angostura bitters (2 dashes)
• Sweet vermouth (1 ounce)
• Ice

Once all the ingredients are ready, fill the cocktail shaker with the ice first, and then you can add whiskey, bitters and sweet vermouth. Make sure to keep the quantities as mentioned above. Now, mix it quite properly. Strain the mixture into a martini glass. You can add a cherry on the top for garnishing.

3.Whiskey Smash

If you love the mint flavour, you have to try out this whiskey cocktail recipe. Whiskey smash tastes refreshing with a hint of mint and citrus in it. To make this cocktail, you will need:

• Simple Syrup (1 ounce)
• Whiskey (2 ounces)
• Mint leaves (about 7 to 8)
• Lemon wedges ( 3 to 4)
• Ice

First, take the lemon and mint leaves in your cocktail shaker. Use the muddler for smashing and crushing them properly. Now, add the simple Syrup and whiskey in the exact measurement mentioned above. Take some ice and then shake it properly. Use a strainer to pour the mixture into the glass. You can add some mint leaves for garnishing.

4. Old Fashioned

Though there are many whiskey cocktails that you can prepare, Old Fashioned remains the favourite of many. The classic orange flavor in this cocktail can make you love it even more. To prepare this recipe, you will need:

• Whiskey (Bourbon or Rye preferably) – 2 ounces
• Simple Syrup – 1 teaspoon
• Water – 1 teaspoon
• Bitters – 2 dashes
• Ice

Start by combining the bitters, simple syrup and water in exact measurement. Mix them in a glass properly, then fill it with ice halfway. Give a good stir to the combination. Now, you can squeeze some orange or lemon peel into the mixture. Pour in the whiskey and stir well to enjoy the whiskey cocktail.

5. John Collins

If you like Gin, then you will surely love this cocktail. Because of the fizziness, you will enjoy this cocktail on a hot summer day. To prepare this cocktail, the ingredients that you will need are:

• Whiskey – 1 and a half ounce
• Simple Syrup – 1 ounce
• Lemon juice – 1 ounce
• Ginger ale or Club soda – 4 ounces
• Ice

Firstly, you must mix the lemon juice and syrup with the whiskey in the cocktail shaker. Add some ice to it and shake well. Once everything is mixed properly, you must pour the content through a strainer into your Collins glass. Make sure to fill the glass with ice and add some Ginger ale or Club soda (whatever you prefer) to add the fizziness.

6. Sazerac

Another classic whiskey cocktail is Sazerac, that you can make for the guests. It is simple yet a classic drink that cannot go wrong ever. To make this amazing cocktail, the ingredients needed are:

• Rye whiskey (2 ounces)
• Simple Syrup
• Peychaud bitters (3 dashes)
• Absinthe (1/4 ounce)
• Ice cubes

Take some ice in your glass first. Now mix the bitters along with the simple Syrup properly. Once you are done, add the Rye whiskey into it and stir everything well. Remove the ice and swirl the absinthe in the cool glass properly. Toss the absinthe away and then pour the mixture into the glass. Before serving, you can add some ice along with a lemon twist.

7. Mint Julep

One of the classy and sophisticated whiskey cocktails is the Mint Julep. This cocktail is mainly about mints and crushed ice with whiskey. To make this cocktail, you will need:

• Whiskey – 2 and a half ounce
• Mint leaves
• Simple Syrup – 1/2 ounce
• Crushed ice

First, you must take the simple Syrup, and the mint leaves in a mixing glass. Properly smash and crush them using a muddler. Now, you must add the whiskey and stir it properly. Take the cocktail glass and fill it with crushed ice. Pour the mixture over the ice and add some mint leaves for garnishing.

8. Irish Coffee

If you love coffee and whiskey, then this is the perfect whiskey cocktail you must try. It is very easy to make and perfect for a cold winter night. For making this cocktail, you will need:

• Irish whiskey – 1 and a half ounce
• Hot coffee – 4 ounces
• Brown sugar or sugar – 2 teaspoons
• Whipped cream – 1 ounce

First of all, you have to brew some coffee. After the coffee is ready, mix it with Irish whiskey and brown sugar in an Irish coffee glass. Add the whipped cream on top of it for a richer flavor. Your drink is ready for serving.

9. Vieux Carre

This is a legendary whiskey cocktail that you will surely love. With a mixture of all the amazing flavors, this cocktail gives a unique and refreshing taste. The ingredients that you will need are:

• Rye whiskey – 3/4 ounce
• Sweet vermouth – 3/4 ounce
• Cognac – 3/4 ounce
• Bitters (any two styles) – 2 dashes

Peychaud bitters and Angostura bitters go well with this cocktail. Now, combine the cognac, whiskey, bitters and sweet vermouth into the mixing glass. Add some ice and stir everything well. Now, pour the liquid through a strainer into the whiskey glass and fill it with ice.

10. Highball

Another easy-to-make whiskey cocktail to try at home is the Highball. It needs just two ingredients. You will need:

• Whiskey – 2 ounces
• Club Soda or Ginger ale – 4 ounces

First, fill your glass with ice cubes and pour the whiskey into it. Now, top it up with club soda or ginger ale. Enjoy this fizzy and chilled cocktail at your home on a hot summer day.

Conclusion

You can try these ten most simple and easy whiskey cocktails at home. As you can see, it doesn't need much to make these cocktails. The ingredients are simple, as well as the procedure of making it. Try these at home, and you will love them!