Whisky Cocktails for Spring

Now that the sunny weather is finally here, the season of enjoying cigars and a drink while sat outside is upon us. Whisky is renowned for its warming properties, making it a winter staple, but that certainly doesn’t mean that your old-fashioned can’t be traded in for a lighter option in the sunnier months of the year! Here are some of our favourite whisky-based cocktails for the spring, to liven up our evenings and ensure we’re getting rid of any remaining springtime chills!

Bourbon Sweet Tea

The perfect transition between winter and spring comes in the form of taking our beloved hot brew and making it cooler – and adding a dash of whiskey of course!

Ingredients
750ml water
250ml Bourbon
100g sugar
2 black tea bags
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 lime, cut into wedges
1/2 orange, cut into wedges

Method
1) Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan until it boils. Stir to make sure the sugar dissolves.

2) Pour the sugar water into a jug and add the tea bags. Let it steep for between five and ten minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.

3) Remove the tea bags and add in the wedges of lemon, lime and orange.

4) Pour in the bourbon, gently stir, then cover the jug and chill before serving.
 

Honey Whisky Lemonade

Put a sweet and fruity twist on your favourite whisky for a fresh taste. The honey syrup should be enough for about nine drinks or more, making this a great choice for when you’re entertaining.

Ingredients
For honey syrup:
125ml water
6 tbsp honey
1-2 stems of fresh herbs of your choice (e.g. mint, basil, rosemary, lavender)

For each drink:
125ml lemonade
1 shot of whisky
Lemon slices to garnish

Method
1) First, make the honey syrup by bringing the water and honey to boil in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat and add in the fresh herb, before simmering for around 15 minutes. Let this mixture cool.

2) Add ice to each glass and pour one shot of whisky over it in each glass. Add the lemonade and 1 teaspoon of the honey mixture into each glass. Garnish with lemon and remaining herbs before serving.

Bourbon Chocolate Milkshake

You can never be too old for a milkshake, and bourbon and chocolate work well together! Made with ice cream and blended ice, this is the perfect cooling treat!

Ingredients
355ml milk
60ml Bourbon
400g vanilla ice cream
6 tbsp chocolate syrup
3 ice cubes

Method
1) Add the milk, ice, bourbon, ice cream and 4 tbsp of chocolate syrup into a blender and blend until smooth.

2) Divide between 4 glasses and top with the remaining chocolate syrup.

Whisky Sour

The whisky sour is a cocktail classic, providing a sweet and sour taste that won’t leave you feeling bitter!

Ingredients
45ml whisky
22ml fresh lemon juice
22ml simple syrup (125ml water, 110g sugar)
1 cherry and slice of lemon to garnish
Ice cubes

Method
1) First, make the simple syrup if you do not have any. For this 125ml water and 110g of sugar need to be heated in a small saucepan over medium heat and stirred until the sugar is dissolved. Strain the mixture into a jar. If sealed with a lid, the syrup can keep in the fridge for a month, so you can make plenty more cocktails!

2) Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the whisky, lemon juice and syrup to the shaker and shake.

3) Strain into a glass and garnish with the cherry and lemon wedge.

How do you best enjoy your whisky? Let us know in the comments!