5 Easy Whiskey Cocktails You Should Try This Week

Ah, whiskey: the nectar of the gods. From the rolling hills of Scotland to the wilderness of Canada, the greatest spirit is distilled all around the world, and is delicious everywhere. Some drink it straight, while others who lack the intestinal fortitude to do so, (or simply prefer adding other flavors to it to make it pop even more) prefer to mix it with their favorite soft drink, from Coca-Cola to ginger ale to 7-Up. For the remaining class who wish to appear to be a top-shelf mixologist without spending the time or money, here are five of my favorite simple cocktail recipes that can make even the most amateur of bartenders look like the classiest drinker in the room, and some of my favorite recipes to make them. Oh, and did I mention they taste incredible?


1. Whiskey Smash (courtesy of Drinks Mixer)

The whiskey smash is one of my personal favorites, as it brings together the tastes of bourbon, lemon, and mint. (Think a mint julep, meets a mojito, meets lemonade.) There is only one adjective that does a drink like this justice: refreshing. As we are now solidly into October, this one will give you summer nostalgia and still get the pumpkin-spice-whatever-your-girlfriend-made-you-try taste out of your mouth. Here's what you'll need:

2 pieces of lemon
2-3 mint leaves
3/4 oz simple syrup
1 1/2 oz Maker's Mark bourbon
1 oz water

Muddle the lemon, mint, water, and simple syrup in the bottle of a mixing glass. Add bourbon, shake and strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint, and serve.

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7475.html
Photo: https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/muddled/whisky-smash

2. Kentucky Mule (courtesy of Cooking Channel TV)  

Don't get me wrong, a Moscow Mule is a formidable cocktail, and even as an outspoken opponent of vodka, in a past life I was known to enjoy them on occasion. But if you're feeling especially American one day or subscribe to Ron Swanson's philosophy that "Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets," your life will be changed by making just one simple change: Simply swap out the vodka for bourbon.

For this one, all you will need is a copper mug, some ice, a half-ounce of lime juice, 2 ounces of  your favorite bourbon, and 4-6 ounces of ginger beer.

Fill the mug about halfway with ice, then pour in the lime juice. Add the bourbon and top off the rest of the mug with ginger beer.

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/michael-symon/kentucky-mule.html

3. Irish Coffee (courtesy of Food Network) 

If it's been an especially trying week at work, or you're looking for something to kickstart your Saturday full of watching college football before you coast on Bud Light for the rest of the day, recent studies I just made up suggest that you can't go wrong with an Irish Coffee. A simple classic that you probably already have all of the ingredients for in your kitchen, this one may take the cake as the easiest cocktail on this list. If nothing else, it is certainly the one that tastes the best with breakfast!

• First, fill a mug with hot water to heat the mug, then pour out said water. (Trust me, it makes all the difference!
• Next, fill the cup about 3/4 of the way with hot coffee.
• Mix in 1 1/2 oz. of Irish whiskey (I've found that Jameson tends to give the best flavor for this recipe)
• Top the glass with heavy cream slightly whipped, and serve while it's still hot!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/original-irish-coffee-recipe.html

4.  Hot Toddy (courtesy of Crown Royal)

Now that we are in the middle of fall, it is officially cold and flu season, and inevitably people will be searching for relief. Your immune system will thank you for giving this one a try, and it tastes a whole lot better than over-the-counter cold medicine. For this one, you will need:

1.35 oz Crown Royal Deluxe Whisky

1 tsp fine grain sugar

2 small cloves

1.5 oz boiling water

Put a pot of water on to boil. While it is heating up, take a coffee mug or old-fashioned glass and mix in the whiskey, sugar, and cloves. Once the water is boiling add an ounce or two, or more if you don't want it as strong. (Pro tip: if the taste is too much for you, try adding a dash of honey for some added sweetness!) Stir and enjoy.

https://www.crownroyal.com/whisky-cocktails/hot-toddy/

5. Apple 'n Rye (courtesy of The Cocktail Project)

Along with pumpkin, apple is one of the undeniable flavors of the fall season. I had not tried or even heard of this one until recently, but after giving it a shot it has quickly become one of my favorites. That being said, if your special someone asks you to take them to the apple orchard for an afternoon, happily oblige knowing you'll come home with a key component in this delicious and delightfully simple cocktail, and enough apples to make plenty of them.

2 oz Jim Beam Rye whiskey (This is what the recipe calls for, but whichever rye or Canadian you prefer will do the trick)

1/2 oz simple syrup

6 oz apple juice

1/2 oz lemon juice

Apple Slice for garnish

Measure and pour rye, simple syrup, and lemon juice into a tall glass. Fill completely with ice and top with fresh pressed apple juice. Stir and serve, garnishing with a slice of apple. 

https://www.thecocktailproject.com/drink-recipes/apple-n-rye

As the leaves have finally begun to change, so too should your drinking arsenal. However, not everyone is a world-class bartender. (Myself included!) But by adding these five basic concoctions to your repertoire, you can begin to hone your skills, wow your friends, and in the case of the Hot Toddy, even treat your cold and flu symptoms. Cheers!