White spirits may generally be preferred by most tipplers and bartenders when it comes to cocktails, but whisky-based cocktails deserve their place in the sun. Bourbon, scotch, rye — all of these work wonders in a cocktail.
A bartender in London once told me that in a whisky-based cocktail, one should still be able to feel the strength of the different elements (without the whisky burning your throat). I always judge a good whisky cocktail on that basis.
The warm nutty notes, slight sweetness, fruit and balanced smoothness of a whisky, lends itself perfectly to many cocktails. Bourbon, of course, remains the eternal favourite, with its caramel sweetness making it perfect for both sipping neat, and as a mixer. Try a port with some bourbon and maple syrup and this dark coloured cocktail will perk you up in a jiffy.
A drink that I won’t forget in a hurry was a simple, unique one that a friend served on a chilly winter night in Delhi, using tea along with bourbon. With notes of clove, vanilla, and caramel merging so well with the tea, the result was sheer magic. He had tried it at a bar in New York and replicated it perfectly.
You can’t go with rye either, being a natural mixer. The classic Manhattan with rye, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters is an example of a great rye cocktail.
Many bartenders feel that addition of citrus or ginger to a whisky is a safe bet. I got a bit adventurous recently and tried a honey-ginger syrup with lemon juice and scotch. Never knew these were always meant to be together!
I find juices like orange or grapefruit really pleasing, when combined with whisky. A “typical ladies’ drink” my male friends joke, but I love it nevertheless. I think it is the tartness of the orange juice and the sweetness of grapefruit juice, which balance the rich caramel flavour of the bourbon.
The trend of whisky cocktails is definitely catching on. I came across a dedicated menu of these in a Delhi bar, featuring cocktails from the home of Jack Daniel’s — Jack’s Lynchburg Lemonade, and the timeless classic Jack’s Old Fashioned No. 7. With its smooth and mellow flavours and unique taste profile, Jack Daniel’s is a perfect fit for cocktails.
— Mini is a food writer
