Even Non-Whiskey Drinkers Will Love These Fruity Whiskey Cocktails
It’s no secret that millennials love whiskey. Some of us like it straight, some of us like it on the rocks and some of us just want it with chocolate. Between whiskey coffee, chocolate-flavored whiskey and whiskey-infused popcorn, it’s easy to enjoy the amber spirit even if you’re not a whiskey traditionalist. As a shift in new cocktail trends continues, whiskey-forward drinks are becoming more and more prominent on menus, and we’re not complaining.
Analogue, a New York City craft cocktail bar, has been a pioneer in the whiskey movement with its collection of more than 300 bottles. And head bartender Tre Stillwagon has a crazy amount of whiskey knowledge to pair with the in-house collection of international bottles from all kinds of niche distilleries. Even if you’re not a huge whiskey drinker, you’ll find cocktails to experiment with here.
For drinkers looking to get their feet wet with whiskey, there are plenty of ways to ease yourself into it. Here are two fruity cocktails you can get behind if you’re a newbie in the world of amber spirits.
The Blood Of The Patriots
Tre riffs on a classic cocktail called A Blinker with The Blood of the Patriots cocktail which has a combination of 101-proof rye, raspberry preserves, grapefruit, Angostura bitters and atomized peated whiskey to add a little smokiness.
Ingredients
2 oz. of Wild Turkey 101
0.75 oz. of grapefruit juice
0.75 oz. of Ancho Reyes
2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
One small spoon raspberry preserves
Directions
Serve this shaken and double-strained over ice in a rocks glass. Finish with atomized peated whiskey and a dehydrated lemon peel.
The Peche Bourbon
Another whiskey cocktail to dip your toes into is called The Peche Bourbon with Crème de Pêche, Four Roses bourbon, lemon and fresh ginger.
Ingredients
2 oz. of Four Roses bourbon
0.75 oz. of lemon juice
0.75 oz. of Combier Crème de Pêche
0.5 oz. of simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
Freshly diced ginger
Directions
Serve this cocktail shaken and double-strained into a chilled coupe. Tre serves activated mint leaf to garnish. Basically, smack the mint to activate its aroma before you garnish the cocktail.
While whiskey cocktails have a reputation for being bold, earthy and strong, these cocktails may change that tune. Whiskey can be just as good with fruity and bitter notes, so if you’re not already devoted to the brown spirit, it’s time to give it a chance.