Brandy Vs Whisky Vs Rum — The Best Spirit For Winter Cocktails
When the temperature drops and the cool winds blow, cocktail making tends to lean towards drinks which have spicier, slightly more robust flavours. Some winter cocktails are even brewed warm, such as hot toddies or mulled wines or teas infused with brandy, as they become more well-suited to the chilly season.
The spirits used for making drinks also shift in this weather. Fresher, neutral liquors give way to more robust spirits, with pronounced flavours, light fruity and spiced undertones and flavourful finishes. Spirits such as brandy, whisky and rum inevitably become the more sought after options during winter for making cocktails with depth and sweet flavour notes, and quite a layered effect. But which one of these spirits works best in certain cocktails, and when can one choose cognac over a bourbon or dark rum?
Whisky: The Robust Addition
Of the different spirits that can be used for making winter cocktails, whisky is the more popular one. Aged in oak casks, certain whiskies have very pronounced woody and vanilla-like notes with hints of caramel and spice, which make the spirit a deeply layered base for building complex drinks.
Smoky and malty, whisky’s depth also makes this spirit a sought after choice by many mixologists as a base spirit whose flavours open up slowly and with a remarkable nuance, which works especially well in chilly weather season.
Cocktail Option: One of the more interesting cocktails that can be prepared using whisky is the hot toddy. Made with honey, lemon juice and whisky, this drink is finished off with hot water and served as a warm cocktail in winter months. Garnished with cinnamon and star anise, it is the flavours of these spices that elevates the overall robust notes of the cocktail.
Brandy: For Chilled Evenings
And then there is brandy. Distilled from wines or fermented fruit juice, it is a rounder, softly sweet spirit that is lightly fruity and gently spiced. Complete with hints of dried fruit, oak, and floral tones, it is marked by luxury and much depth.
Brandy can be used to make numerous fireside, winter cocktails, and it stands out for its potential to blend well with creamy liqueurs, lending them a silky sweet quality. It is in these drinks that brandy works better than other robust spirits whose flavours might overpower the whole cocktail. Think fruity, velvety, dessert-like concoctions while working with brandy during winters.
Cocktail Option: Curate a classic brandy Alexander in winters which brings together brandy, cream and crème de cacao in a silky and smooth mixture. It is a drink which can generally be served as a dessert-inspired cocktail after a particularly sumptuous meal comprising winter favourites like herb roast chicken and mashed potatoes.
Also Read: Dark Rum Vs White Rum — Know The Ultimate Core Difference
Rum: The Tropical Contender
Rum’s origins can be traced back to the tropical islands in the Caribbean where the spirit is said to have its roots. Over time, however, adding rum to cocktails has meant working with its molasses-rich flavours to produce blends with luxurious, robust and spiced flavours that seem to suit the chilly weather.
It is no wonder then that rum is one of the spirits often used for blending drinks crafted during winter climes. In fact, its spice and mild sweetness make this a spirit more conducive to blending wintertime punches or fruity concoctions than fruity cognac or sweet bourbon. It gently makes its presence known in cocktails rather than becoming the primary flavour component, to lend a flavourful lift to notes of fruits, spices, citruses and other accents added to wintertime blends.
Cocktail Option: A drink which can be prepared using this spirit is the signature hot buttered rum. Dark rum, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg can be brought together and warmed up to craft a rich and creamy cocktail laced with spicy flavours. The drink can be served with grated nutmeg as a garnish — as much for its flavour as for its aromatic nuance.
So, Which Is The Best Spirit In Winters?
Well, pick whisky for slow evenings during winter, and add it to cocktails which are made robust because of its pronounced flavours. Use brandy or cognac to make winter cocktails carrying an elegant nuance, especially as blends served during post dinner conversations. And go for rum to build cocktails that are festive blends, curated with a tropical twist.
Key Takeaways:
– Spirits such as whisky, rum and brandy are popularly used as the base for building several wintertime cocktails owing to their robust flavours and lightly sweet notes.
– Drinks like the hot toddy, the brandy Alexander and hot buttered rum are some of the more popular options prepared during winter weather.
– Which spirit can be used to build winter cocktails depends entirely upon the vibe of a gathering and the flavours that the blend emphasises.
FAQs:
– Which are some of the spirits that can be used to prepare cocktails during winter?
Winter time cocktails require the addition of robust spirits, which are well-suited to blends meant for chilly weather. Such spirits can include whisky, cognac or brandy and rich, dark rum.
– Which of these spirits is the best one for building winter cocktails?
The spirit that can be used to build a particular winter cocktail depends entirely upon the type of blend being made. While certain drinks like the hot toddy are laced with the spice of whisky, others like dark rum can be used to make festive drinks with pronounced fruity, citrusy notes.
– Which are among the cocktails that can be prepared using each of these spirits in winter?
Warm cocktails like hot toddies can be made using whisky, whereas a brandy Alexander can be prepared as a dessert-like drink with a sweet, fermented wine. A classic such as hot buttered rum can be prepared using the Caribbean spirit for a tropical twist.
All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
