5 Smoky Whisky Cocktail Recipes For Chilly Winter Evenings
Come winter, whisky cocktails tend to take centre stage in mixology cultures. There are several reasons for this. One of them is that a good smoky whisky builds depth and character into wintertime drinks, making them well-suited to the weather outside, another being that whisky-based cocktails tend to have robust, layered and rich flavours befitting the dense tasting notes that winter cocktails generally carry. And if that’s not enough, these whisky cocktail recipes also explore rather interesting mixology hacks to become drinks that add just a bit of drama, smoky depth and deeply layered nuances into blends. From mellow highballs to rich dessert flips, these smoky whisky blends bring sophistication and luxury into your wintertime cocktail recipes.
The Ember Highball
A drink with light, smoky and aromatic notes, this is an interesting alternative to prepare while hosting an intimate gathering on a winter evening. The honey in the cocktail balances the smoky notes of a robust spirit whereas soda and citruses bring out many aromatic nuances—excellent flavour accompaniments with a peaty blended Scotch whisky.
Ingredients [Serves 1]
- 30 ml blended Scotch whisky
- 10 ml honey syrup
- 2 dashes of orange bitters
- 60 ml soda water
- Ice, as required
- Orange twist, for garnish
Method:
– In a tall highball glass filled with ice, add the blended Scotch whisky, honey syrup and orange bitters.
– Stir gently and top the mixture off with soda water, garnish with an orange twist.
Smoky Whisky Sour
A cocktail suited to being served at an outdoor wintertime gathering by the bonfire, the smoky, spiced and citrusy whisky sour is full of a caramelised depth even as some citrusy elements bring a slight contrasting brightness into the mix.
Ingredients [Serves 1]
- 30 ml smoky single malt Scotch
- 15 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 10 ml maple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice, as required
- Cinnamon powder, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail shaker, bring together smoky single malt Scotch, freshly squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup and the egg white.
– Give all the ingredients a dry shake before adding ice and shake again for 15-20 seconds for the foamy froth.
– Strain the drink into a rocks glass loaded with ice and garnish with a dusting of cinnamon powder that would rest atop the foam.
The Charred Apple Old Fashioned
Put a seasonal twist on the classic cocktail with this slightly sweet and smoky fruity nuance. Blend the richness of the caramelised fruit with whisky’s smoky effect to produce a blend that can be served as a post-dinner showstopper at a festive winter party.
Ingredients [Serves 1]
- 30 ml smoky blended Scotch
- 10 ml apple reduction
- 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters
- Ice, as required
- Charred apple slice, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail mixer containing ice, bring together smoky blended Scotch, apple reduction and 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters.
– Stir gently before straining into a rocks glass, over a large ice cube. Garnish the drink with a charred apple slice.
To make the charred apple slice, roast thin slivers of the fruit in the oven and introduce a caramelised, smoky nuance into them.
Also Read: We Handpicked 5 Spirits That Are Perfect For Smooth & Smoky Downpour Drinking
Smoked Masala Toddy
Think all things spiced, aromatic and wintry while preparing the smoked masala toddy–a slight twist on the classic hot toddy recipe. This is a drink which brings a chai-like, desi effect into the cocktail classic, where jaggery and spices meet to produce a winter-suitable blend.
Ingredients [Serves 1]
- 30 ml blended Scotch whisky
- 1 teaspoon jaggery syrup
- 1 slice fresh ginger
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 2 cardamom pods
- 30 ml freshly brewed warm black tea
- Star anise, for garnish
Method:
– In a mug, combine blended Scotch whisky, jaggery syrup, fresh ginger, cinnamon stick and the cloves and cardamom pods to let the flavours steep for a couple of minutes.
– Top the mixture with freshly brewed, warm black tea, stir gently and let it rest for a minute.
– Garnish the drink with a star anise and serve.
Smoked Cocoa Flip
Rich and dessert-like, this is a cocktail that would definitely make it onto your roster when you host an intimate get-together with friends. It is smooth, smoky, silky and luxe enough to work as a post-dinner, dessert-inspired drink during sweater weather.
Ingredients [Serves 1]
- 30 ml smoky single malt Scotch
- 10 ml crème de cacao
- 10 ml cream
- 1 whole egg
- Ice, as required
- Shaved dark chocolate, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail shaker, bring together smoky single malt Scotch, crème de cacao, cream and the whole egg.
– Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
– Add ice and shake again for the foamy finish. Strain into a coupé glass and garnish with shaved dark chocolate.
Key Takeaways
– A good smoky whisky builds flavour depth and character into winter time cocktails, making it a favoured base spirit for crafting seasonal drinks during this period.
– Cocktails like the ember highball can be prepared during winter weather to bring forth a combination of a robustly flavoured, deep smoky whisky and the brightness of citrus bitters.
– A dessert cocktail well-suited to this weather is the smoked cocoa flip. The smoky nuance of the blend coupled with its chocolatey density make this a very luxurious wintertime blend.
FAQs:
– Why are cocktails made using whisky, and given a smoky effect during winter weather?
Whisky carries a lot of robust flavours which bring depth and character into blends, that well complements the winter weather. A smoky nuance adds a bit of drama and earthiness into these cocktails, making the smoked whisky drink a clear favourite in cold climes.
– Which are some of the smoked whisky cocktails that can be prepared during winter weather?
Cocktails such as the ember highball, the smoked whisky sour and the charred apple old fashioned are among some smoked whisky drinks that can be prepared during winter weather.
– What is the finest way to introduce a desi effect into the spiced masala toddy?
To introduce a desi, chai-like effect into the spiced masala toddy, swap the traditional hot water as the mixer with a freshly brewed black tea that releases the essential aromatic nuances and earthy depth into the blend.
*All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
