It might seem like summer just ended, but we are already heading straight toward the holiday season and winter. There’s no stopping the impending frigid, dark, seemingly endless season. This means that in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, you can count on cold temperatures, long nights, and maybe even some snow. It also means it’s the perfect time of year for boozy, warm blended Scotch whisky-based cocktails.
In my years of writing about alcohol, I’ve tried many whisk(e)y-based mixed drinks. And while many of the most well-known drinks are bourbon or rye-whiskey-centered, some of my favorite wintry cocktails actually have a Scotch whisky base.
The best winter cocktails for your blended Scotch whisky
Nobody is going to fault you for using your favorite single malt Scotch whisky as a cocktail base, but there’s no reason to hide a nuanced, complex, expensive single malt behind multiple ingredients when there are myriad blended Scotch whiskies up to the job. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite cocktails perfect for those affordable bottles of Compass Box, Famous Grouse, and Johnnie Walker.
The Godfather
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces blended Scotch whisky
- .5 ounces Amaretto
Preparation: Add ice to a mixing glass. Pour in the blended Scotch whisky and Amaretto. Stir gently to combine and chill. Strain into an ice-filled Rocks glass. Garnish with am orange twist.
Penicillin
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces blended Scotch whisky
- .75 ounces fresh lemon juice
- .75 ounces honey ginger syrup
- Peated single malt Scotch whisky float
Preparation: In an ice-filled shaker, add the blended Scotch whisky, fresh lemon juice, and honey ginger syrup. Shake vigorously to combine and chill. Strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass. Float peated single malt Scotch whisky over the top by pouring it over the back of a bar spoon. Garnish with candied ginger.
Roby Roy
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces blended Scotch whisky
- 1 ounce sweet red vermouth
- 2-4 dashes of Angostura bitters
Preparation: In an ice-filled mixing glass, add the blended Scotch whisky, sweet red vermouth, and
Rusty Nail
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of blended Scotch whisky
- 1 ounce Drambuie liqueur
Preparation: In an ice-filled mixing glass, add the blended Scotch whisky and Drambuie liqueur. Stir gently to combine and chill. Strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Blood & Sand
Ingredients:
- .75 ounces blended Scotch whisky
- .75 ounces sweet vermouth
- ,75 ounces cherry liqueur
- .75 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
Preparation: In an ice-filled shaker, add the blended Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Shake vigorously to combine and chill. Strain into a chilled Coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Bottom line
Hopefully by now you can see the appeal of blended Scotch whisky-based cocktails. The above cocktails are equal parts easy to make and delicious. Learn one or more and whip them up for friends and family this holiday season. You’re sure to be the most popular person at your seasonal get-togethers and holiday parties.
