5 Whisky Cocktails If You Don’t Drink Whisky on The Rocks

Whisky cocktails are a great way for newcomers to find their footing in the whisky world, thanks to their versatility and complex flavours. Often, these drinks have a simple ingredient list to follow, but they can be tweaked according to personal taste. A well-balanced whisky cocktail will bring out new flavour profiles by using other ingredients and mixers like fruits, soda, syrup and more.

Ahead, find out how several classic whisky cocktails are made and why they’re a great addition to any drink repertoire.

Flavour profile: Refreshing and rather smooth.

The Highball has evolved to become one of the more popular drinks in izakayas, also known as Japanese speakeasies. Making it is simple; it’s a combination of a base spirit and carbonated mixer, which is usually ginger ale or club soda. But the real secret to a neat highball lies in having the right ice cube (a block or sphere that doesn’t melt quickly) and the amount of soda. Add a dash of citrus, most commonly lemon juice, for a refreshing tang that lingers on the taste buds and leaves you craving for more in the sweltering heats of Singapore. When serving, use the iconic tall glass tumbler, as this allows the carbonated bubbles to rise and keeps the drink tasting fresh.

To make a good highball that suits your preference, it’s important to use a whisky meant to be savoured. Our whisky of choice is the Suntory Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whisky. Its subtle floral sweetness, with notes of rose and lychee, makes it palatable for whisky newbies. 

Flavour profile: Spicy, bitter, sweet and has a bite to it.

An iconic drink dating back to the early 1870s, the Manhattan was concocted in a gentlemen’s club in Manhattan, New York City, allegedly for a banquet hosted by Winston Churchill’s mother. Unpretentious with a straightforward flavour profile, this drink is a balance of spice, sweetness and bitterness. Typically, it consists of just whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters - the vermouth adds a smooth & spiced sweetness while the bitters add a little bite at the end. The spirit used will usually be a bourbon or rye whisky, but there are countless variations of this classic to date.

Making your own? Try using the Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey. This is produced by one of the oldest operation distilleries in America and is aged for an average of 8 years, double the industry standard for a deeper, mellowed flavour profile.

Flavour profile: Citrusy, bitter and quite strong.

Living up to its name, its origins can be traced to the mid-1800s. The Old Fashioned remains a timeless staple on many bar menus. Made with bourbon (or rye), sugar, Angostura bitters and topped with an orange twist, the overall flavour profile is citrus-sweet with bitter undertones. Try it simple, strong and whisky-forward without letting the fruits overpower the spirit.

For the traditionalists, this will be up your alley. It’s recommended to use a whisky like the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, which has a ratio of 53% rye. Spice and tobacco notes dominate, while the myriad of fruity, floral aromatics adds a touch of sweetness and rounds off the richness of this drink.

Flavour profile: Fruity, sweet and smooth.

In its heyday, it was the drink of choice for many American bar goers. The whisky sour is a simple concoction of whisky, simple syrup and citrus (typically lemon juice), complemented with cherries for garnish. A refreshing cocktail that is bright and not too cloying, the key to a great Whisky Sour is to use freshly squeezed juice. If in a pinch, lime works as a great citrus substitute. For a silky mouthfeel, try adding a blend of egg whites. It may sound unconventional but it turns the drink into a rich concoction that slides down easily.

Similar to The Manhattan, we recommend a Bourbon option like the Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Alternatively, opt for a rye whisky if you prefer some extra spice and edge to balance out the sweetness from the syrup.

Flavour profile: Sweet, creamy and with coffee notes.

If you enjoy daytime drinks, give the Irish coffee a go and perk your spirits. Great for those with a slightly sweeter tooth, it’s a mixture of Irish whisky, freshly brewed espresso, brown sugar, Baileys (for extra creaminess) and topped with whipped cream.

To make this drink, an Irish Whisky like the John Jameson Irish Whisky is a sound choice. With a unique mix of malt and cereals, it is triple-distilled and aged for a minimum of four years (one year above the requirement) in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. This results in a natural, smooth flavour without the usual smokiness.

As always, feel free to experiment and make your own twist on these beloved whisky cocktail classics. Which recipe are you trying first?

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