When the mercury rises, whiskey doesn’t have to take a backseat to lighter spirits. Whiskey is a remarkably versatile spirit, adaptable to all seasons, and it mixes perfectly into delightful cocktails that are just as refreshing as a poolside Piña Colada or an icy Margarita. Here are five easy-to-make whiskey cocktail recipes to savor this summer season.
Mint Julep
The Mint Julep, a perennial favorite at the Kentucky Derby, is a fine way to start our summertime whiskey journey.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 ounces of Bourbon
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Crushed ice
Muddle the mint and sugar in a glass, fill it with crushed ice, add the bourbon, and stir until the glass frosts. Garnish with a sprig of mint, and your classic Mint Julep is ready!
Whiskey Smash
If you love Mojitos, you will appreciate this whiskey twist. The Whiskey Smash is a bright and citrusy cocktail, perfect for a sunny afternoon.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Bourbon
- Half a lemon, cut into wedges
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon of simple syrup
- Crushed ice
Muddle the lemon, mint, and simple syrup in a glass. Add bourbon and crushed ice. Stir it well and garnish with a mint sprig.
Lynchburg Lemonade
This refreshing cocktail is named after the hometown of Jack Daniel’s and is ideal for a hot summer’s day.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces of Tennessee Whiskey
- 1 ounce of Triple Sec
- 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice
- 4 ounces of lemon-lime soda
Combine whiskey, Triple Sec, and lemon juice in a glass filled with ice. Top it off with lemon-lime soda and stir. Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry.
Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour is a versatile cocktail that’s both refreshing and packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Bourbon
- 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce of simple syrup
- Cherry and lemon slice for garnish
Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a glass with fresh ice, and garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.
Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
This fruity cocktail combines the best of summer flavors with a punch of whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Bourbon
- 2 ounces of blackberry puree
- 2 ounces of fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce of simple syrup
- Lemon wheel and blackberries for garnish
In a shaker, combine bourbon, blackberry puree, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and blackberries.
Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour is a versatile cocktail that’s both refreshing and packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Bourbon
- 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce of simple syrup
- Cherry and lemon slice for garnish
Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a glass with fresh ice, and garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned, often considered the original cocktail, is a simple and refreshing blend of sugar, bitters, and whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange twist and cherry for garnish
Place the sugar cube in a glass and saturate it with the bitters. Muddle until dissolved. Fill the glass with ice cubes, add whiskey, and stir gently. Garnish with an orange twist and cherry.
Peach Whiskey Iced Tea
Nothing beats the heat quite like iced tea. Adding whiskey and a hint of peach takes it to another level.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Bourbon
- 1 ounce of peach schnapps
- Iced tea
- Lemon slices and peach slices for garnish
Fill a glass with ice. Add the bourbon and peach schnapps, then top it off with iced tea. Stir it well, and garnish with a lemon and peach slice.
Brown Derby
This classic cocktail named after a famous Los Angeles diner is a sweet and tangy delight, perfect for a summer brunch.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Bourbon
- 1 ounce of fresh grapefruit juice
- 0.5 ounce of honey syrup (equal parts honey and water, heated until honey dissolves, then cooled)
- Grapefruit twist for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup. Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass, and garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Whiskey Ginger
This cocktail is easy to make and even easier to enjoy. The ginger ale adds a sparkling touch, making it a fun and fizzy summer beverage.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Irish Whiskey
- Ginger ale
- Lime wedge for garnish
Fill a glass with ice, pour in the whiskey, and top with ginger ale. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.
Apple Whiskey Spritzer
This cocktail combines the sweet flavors of apple, the effervescence of club soda, and the robust taste of whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of Apple Whiskey
- Club soda
- Apple slice for garnish
Fill a glass with ice, add the apple whiskey, and top with club soda. Stir gently and garnish with an apple slice.
These whiskey cocktails can elevate any summer event, whether it’s a laid-back BBQ, a pool party, or a quiet evening on the porch. While whiskey may traditionally be seen as a cooler season spirit, these cocktails show that it can be just as refreshing and enjoyable in the summer. So, fill your glass, raise a toast to the season, and savor the complex flavors of these fantastic summer whiskey cocktails.
