Sometimes a Jack & Coke just doesn’t cut it. There are times that call for something a little more complex and flavorful. The 3 following whiskey-based classic cocktails will get the job done, and you won’t even have to put your pinky up as you tip ‘em back. As with any recipe we strongly encourage you to play around with ingredients and proportions to find one that suits your taste. Enjoy!
Old Fashioned
There is plenty of debate about the true recipe of the Old Fashioned. Though the typically built with bourbon, we find that rye often makes for a more complex cocktail.
Build in an Old Fashioned glass
- 1 1/2 oz. bourbon (or other whiskey)
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Splash soda water
- Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry
Place sugar cube in bottom of glass and use the 2-3 dashes of bitters to saturate the sugar cube. Add a splash of soda water and muddle until sugar is dissolved. Add ice to top of glass and add whiskey. Stir for 15-20 seconds, garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry.
Some prefer to add a small bit of orange peel before the muddling, which makes for a slightly sweet and less bourbon-forward drink.
Hit the break for the other 2!
Manhattan
You’ll serve this one up (no ice) in a chilled cocktail glass. To chill the glass, fill it with ice and top with water while you’re building your Manhattan in a shaker or pint glass. When it’s time to serve, dump out the ice and water and give the glass a good shake.
The Manhattan, like the Old Fashioned, can be made with various whiskies. Rye or Canadian is best.
Build in a pint glass.
- 2 oz. Rye or Canadian whiskey
- 3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- 1-2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Garnish with maraschino cherry
Fill pint glass with ice and add whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into chilled cocktail glass, garnish with cherry and serve up.
Whiskey Sour
Time to show of your cocktail shaking skills. Dust off the shaker and build this classic sour in it.
- 2 oz. bourbon or rye
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz. simple syrup
- Soda water
- Garnish with lemon twist and maraschino cherry
optional: rim your serving glass with sugar. Use and lime wedge to wet the rim and dip in a course sugar
Fill your shaker with ice and add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds and strain into a sour glass (6 oz.) filled with ice. Top up with soda water.
ENJOY!