Whisky Highball
the recipe to start with
Fill a highball glass completely with ice and stir for ten seconds to chill the glass. Discard the meltwater.
Pour the whisky over the ice and stir around five more times.
Top up with ice-cold sparkling water: pour it along the inside of the glass, then stir once from bottom to top.
Squeeze a lemon zest over the glass and serve immediately.
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Bourbon, rye or Scotch
Bourbon contains at least 51 percent corn, making it sweet, full-bodied and vanilla-like - the safe choice for Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour and Mint Julep. Rye is made from rye, drier and spicier, and cuts through sweet vermouth better. That is why it is the classic choice for a Manhattan and a Sazerac. Scotch varies the most: a smooth blend works everywhere, while a smoky Islay completely transforms a cocktail and pairs well with Penicillin and Rusty Nail. One rule applies everywhere: do not use whisky that you would not also drink neat, but save your most expensive bottle for drinking neat.
The right glass
Whiskey cocktails fall into two camps. Strong, stirred cocktails without a mixer, such as the Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Rusty Nail, belong in a low, wide whiskey glass of 30 to 38 cl with a thick base: room for one large ice cube and a wide opening for the aromas. Long drinks such as the highball call for a tall, narrow glass that retains the bubbles. Invest in heavy glass; with whisky, you feel the weight in your hand just as much as you taste the drink.
Onis Icon Tumbler 35 cl (6 pieces)
RCR Etna Tumbler 33 cl (6 pieces)
Together € 68,90.
The right tools
For whiskey cocktails, in addition to the glass, you need a mixing glass, a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for precise measuring, a julep strainer and large ice cubes. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
The strainer that goes with a mixing glass
Glass set (our choice 01) + 5 bar tools together € 109,70.
What do you make these whiskey cocktails with?
You need the right base for these whiskey cocktails. Well-known bottles include The Macallan and Laphroaig. Each drink page tells you the percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it suits, and which glass you need.
Twelve whisky cocktails
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for whisky cocktails?
A 30 to 38 cl whiskey glass or tumbler for stirred cocktails, and a tall glass for highballs. View our whiskey glasses.
Whisky or whiskey, what is the difference?
Only the spelling, which reveals the origin: Scotland and Japan write whisky, while Ireland and the United States write whiskey. Both appear in cocktail recipes.
Should you use expensive whisky in cocktails?
No. A good mid-range whisky costing around thirty euros is ideal. In a cocktail with sugar, bitters, and citrus, the subtleties of an expensive single malt would be lost anyway.
Why do you stir whisky cocktails instead of shaking them?
Cocktails without juice or egg are stirred. This cools them without incorporating air bubbles, keeping the drink clear and silky smooth. Shaking makes it cloudy and frothy.
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