5 Classic Whisky Cocktails for you to try at Home

While many whisky lovers argue that whisky is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, it’s actually a fantastic ingredient for cocktails. In this guide, we’ve rounded up 5 classic whisky cocktails that are easy to make at home. From the refreshing Whisky Highball to the sophisticated Manhattan, these whisky cocktail recipes will help you impress your friends and family at your next dinner party. We’ve also included whisky recommendations for each cocktail, so grab your favourite bottle, gather a few simple ingredients and let’s get mixing.

Whisky Highball 

If you're looking for a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy whisky beyond drinking it neat or on the rocks, the whisky highball is a great choice. This classic whisky cocktail is easy to make and even easier to drink. The simplest way is with just two ingredients: either soda water or ginger ale along with a whisky of your liking. Served over ice in a tall glass, it gets its name from the "highball" glass it’s traditionally served in.

Whisky Highball Ingredients:

• 2 ounces of whisky

• 4 to 6 ounces of soda water or ginger water

• Ice

Recipe for Whisky Highball:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.

2. Pour in 2 ounces of whisky.

3. Top with 4 to 6 ounces of soda water or ginger ale. Add more if needed to fill the glass.

4. Stir gently and enjoy.

Optional: Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to your whisky highball.

Our Whisky Recommendations

A classic whisky cocktail recipe calls for a classic whisky:

• Monkey Shoulder is a great choice for a whisky highball. Its creamy, mellow notes of honey and vanilla blend smoothly with both soda water and ginger ale.

Why not experiment with variations? Japanese-style highballs have gained popularity among whisky-based cocktails, offering a boldly different taste:

• Suntory Toki Japanese whisky is our recommendation, its citrus character makes it a staple in Japanese whisky-based cocktails. Combine with soda water and after adding the whisky, you're supposed to stir 13.5 times clockwise.

Whisky Sour

A whisky sour is one of the best whisky-based cocktails to try if you're not usually a whisky fan. It's smooth, citrusy and incredibly refreshing. Easy to make at home, it's a great way to impress your friends and family. With just a few simple steps, you'll have an ice-cold, foamy and creamy cocktail that's both delicious and satisfying.

Whisky Sour Ingredients:

• 2 ounces of whisky

• ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

• ½ ounce simple syrup

• (Optional) 1 egg white for a frothy texture

• Ice

• Cherry or orange slice for garnish

Recipe for Whisky Sour:

1. Add your whisky of choice, lemon juice, simple syrup and optional egg white to your shaker.

2. Shake without ice first for 15 seconds to create a frothy texture, then add ice and shake again.

3. Strain into a glass over fresh ice or serve straight up in a coupe glass.

4. Garnish with a cherry or an orange slice and enjoy.

Our Whisky Recommendations

A well-balanced whisky cocktail recipe deserves a well-balanced whisky:

• Jameson Irish Whiskey delivers a smooth and slightly sweet whisky sour with a crisp citrus finish.

Manhattan Cocktail

A Manhattan is a classic whisky cocktail, ideal for any sophisticated occasion. Its recipe follows a simple yet effective formula shared by many iconic cocktails, such as the old-fashioned and negroni. This includes a base spirit, a sweet element and a bitter component.

Unlike cocktails that are shaken, the Manhattan is always stirred in a mixing glass to maintain its smooth texture. It’s traditionally made with either a bourbon or rye whisky. 

Manhattan Cocktail Ingredients:

• 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whisky

• 1 ounce of sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• Ice

• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Recipe for Manhattan Cocktail :

1. Fill your mixing glass with ice.

2. Pour in the rye whisky, sweet vermouth and bitters.

3. Stir well with a long spoon for around 30 seconds to chill the mixture.

4. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Optional: For a slightly drier Manhattan, swap sweet vermouth for dry vermouth.

Our Whisky Recommendations

A popular whisky cocktail recipe needs a popular whisky:

• Jack Daniel’s Rye is our pick for an excellent Manhattan. Its smooth yet spicy character pairs perfectly with sweet vermouth and bitters, adding depth and warmth to the cocktail.

Old-Fashioned

When it comes to classic whisky cocktails, the Old-fashioned is a must. It’s all about the bourbon — but more than that, it’s about balance. The whisky is enhanced by aromatic bitters, a touch of sugar and the subtle scent of orange. This all combines to transform a simple drink into a sophisticated cocktail.

Old-Fashioned Ingredients:

• 2 ounces of whisky

• 1 sugar cube (or ½ teaspoon of sugar)

• 2 to 3 dashes of Angostura bitters

• A few dashes of water

• Ice

• Orange peel (for garnish)

• A maraschino cherry for garnish

Recipe for Old-Fashioned:

1. Place the sugar cube in a glass and add the bitters.

2. Add a few dashes of water and muddle until the sugar dissolves.

3. Fill the glass with ice and pour in the whisky.

4. Stir gently to combine.

5. Express the orange peel over the drink by twisting it to release the oils, then drop it in as a garnish.

6. Finish with a maraschino cherry for a touch of sweetness.

Our Whisky Recommendations

A whisky cocktail recipe this classic deserves a whisky with a bold character:

• Buffalo Trace Bourbon creates a well-balanced Old-Fashioned, with its smooth profile and sweeter notes.

Pickleback

If you're feeling adventurous, the Pickleback is a must-try. This popular whisky shot is simple yet full of bold flavours. It consists of a shot of whisky followed by a shot of pickle juice, which can be taken straight from a jar of pickles. The acidity of the pickle juice cuts through the whisky’s warmth, which surprisingly creates a smooth and refreshing experience.

Pickleback Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces of whisky

• 1.5 ounces of pickle juice

Recipe for Pickleback:

1. Pour 1.5 ounces of whisky into a shot glass.

2. Pour 1.5 ounces of pickle juice into a separate shot glass.

3. Take the whisky shot first, then immediately follow it with the pickle juice shot.

Our Whisky Recommendations

A bold whisky shot deserves a bold whisky:

• We’d recommend trying an American Bourbon for a richer twist. Buffalo Trace brings warm caramel and vanilla notes, creating a sweet contrast to the tangy pickle juice.

Classic Whisky Cocktails at Lochs of Whisky

We hope you have found a classic whisky cocktail that has interested you. At Lochs of Whisky, we offer an exceptional selection of whiskies from renowned distilleries around the world. With our extensive range, you will discover the perfect bottle to complement your whisky-based cocktails. If the cocktail you're looking to make calls for other spirits such as gin or vodka, be sure to check out our selection of other spirits to find all your ingredients.

For more insights and recommendations, browse our full selection of whisky at Lochs of Whisky and contact us if you have any questions.