10 Whisky Cocktails You Can Make At Home With Indian Brands

Whisky, for the most part, is enjoyed as it is. Neat or on the rocks or with a splash of water – these are the most iconic ways to enjoy a whisky. However, a whole gamut of whisky cocktails is waiting for you with their fine flavors and unique ingredients. In this listicle, we’ll guide you through the best whisky cocktails you can make at home! Let’s get started and whip up some delicious, cozy, and indulgent whisky cocktails!

Best Whisky Cocktails To Make At Home

1. Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned is arguably one of the most famous whisky cocktails in the world. Though it is preferably made from a rye, an Old Fashioned can be made using most whisky brands available in the market, from a Royal Stag to an artisanal single malt like Godawan. The whisky cocktail is deceptively simple and comes together in minutes.

Ingredients:

• Whisky
• Angostura bitters
• Simple syrup
• Orange peel to garnish

Process:

• Pour the simple syrup, water, and bitters into a whisky glass.
• Stir to combine well.
• Add ice cubes and pour in the whisky.
• Garnish with an orange peel and serve!

2. Rusty Nail

A Rusty Nail is a cocktail made using Scotch, so even though there’s no ‘Indian’ Scotch whisky, you can use whiskies like Dewar’s White Label, Black and White, VAT 69, and more for your cocktail. A Rusty Nail comes together in a few minutes, thanks to its two-ingredient recipe and easy recipe. Add to it the delightful amber color of the drink and the mouthfeel and you have a summer staple drink ready to be served!

Ingredients:

• Scotch whisky
• Drambuie

Process:

• Place 2 large ice cubes in a rocks glass and set it aside in the freezer.
• Combine Scotch and Drambuie in a cocktail mixing glass.
• Add ice and stir until chilled.
• Strain the content into the chilled rocks glass and serve!

3. Mint Julep

When days get hotter and you feel like having a refreshing whisky cocktail, reach out for a glass of Mint Julep. This smooth and refreshing cocktail balances sweetness with a rejuvenating minty lift. Easily made with most Indian whiskies available in the market, whether an affordable or a premium, artisanal one, a Mint Julep hardly disappoints.

Ingredients:

• Whisky, preferably bourbon
• Fresh mint leaves
• Simple syrup
• Mint sprig for garnish

Process:

• Lightly muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass. Ensure that you don’t shred the leaves in the process.
• Pour in the bourbon.
• Fill the glass with crushed ice.
• Stir the glass until the outer surface of the glass becomes frosted.
• Garnish with a mint sprig!

4. Rob Roy

Rob Roy is that classic, suave whisky cocktail that gets whisky connoisseurs drooling. It is similar to a Manhattan cocktail but is made using a Scotch or a blended Scotch. The result is a chilled whisky cocktail that’s slightly sweet yet warm, comforting, and sophisticated in each sip. Without further ado, here’s how you can make this delicious cocktail at home!

Ingredients:

• Scotch whisky
• Sweet vermouth
• Angostura bitters
• Brandied cherries for garnish

Process:

• Combine the Scotch, sweet vermouth, and the bitters into a mixing glass with ice.
• Stir until well-chilled.
• Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass or a cocktail glass.
• Garnish with brandied cherries and serve.

Also Read: When Matcha Met Mimosa: 5 Matcha Cocktails You Need To Try ASAP!

5. Manhattan

A Manhattan has continued to remain one of the most popular whisky cocktails out there. This drink combines whisky, sweet vermouth, bitters, and maraschino cherry in a spirit-forward cocktail. Easy to make and rich and complex, the Manhattan is a great drink for late night parties, evening sundowners, and sophisticated dinners. Here is the Manhattan whisky cocktail recipe for you to make at home:

Ingredients:

• Rye whisky
• Sweet vermouth
• Angostura bitters
• Brandied cherries for garnish

Process:

• Add the whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice.
• Stir the contents until well-chilled.
• Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass or a coupe glass.
• Serve after garnishing with a brandied cherry.

6. Penicillin

A Penicillin is a classic cocktail made using blended Scotch whisky, and there are many brands like Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Dewar’s, etc. The Penicillin is a cocktail made using blended Scotch, fresh lemon, and a signature lemon-ginger syrup. It is sweet, spicy, and just a little tangy, ensuring a burst of flavors on your palate. Here’s how you can make the Penicillin at home in just a few easy steps.

Ingredients:

• Blended Scotch whisky
• Ginger syrup
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Islay Scotch whisky
• Candied ginger for garnish
• Lemon peel twist for garnish

Process:

• Combine blended Scotch, lemon juice, and ginger syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
• Strain into a lowball glass with a large ice cube.
• Using a cocktail spoon, layer Isley Scotch on top.
• Garnish with candied ginger and lemon peel twist and serve!

7. Whisky Sour

Whisky Sour stands out for its rich, creamy texture. It is a shaken cocktail with a delicious balance of acidic and sweet and smoky flavors. Perfect for first-time whisky lovers as well as seasoned whisky drinkers, this cocktail can be served at casual house parties as well as formal gatherings. Let’s take a look at how you can easily concoct a Whisky Sour in just a few steps!

Ingredients:

• Blended Scotch whisky (or any other whisky of choice)
• Lemon juice
• Sugar syrup
• Egg white
• Lemon wheel for garnish
• Mint sprig for garnish

Process:

• Combine the whisky, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and egg white into a cocktail shaker.
• Shake vigorously without ice to help the cocktail get a frothy top.
• Once the ingredients are combined, add ice cubes and shake again for 15 to 20 seconds.
• Strain the content into a rocks glass.
• Garnish with a lemon wheel and a mint sprig.

8. Paper Plane

What happens when a whisky cocktail takes a coastal vacation and returns back with an Aperol in hand? You get an irresistible drink like the Paper Plane! The cocktail is sweet yet strong and that striking orange-red hue? That’s a work of art in itself! The Paper Plane is a decadent concoction that is the perfect balance of robust whisky and bitter-sweet Aperol and Amaro.

Ingredients:

• Bourbon whisky
• Aperol
• Amaro
• Fresh lemon juice
• Orange peel for garnish

Process:

• Combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake well until chilled.
• Strain the content into a martini glass.
• Garnish with an orange peel and serve!

9. Mango Mule Ft. Whisky

In the hot summer months, what’s better than a refreshing glass of whisky, combined with the sweetness of mangoes? This unique take on a classic Moscow Mule combines mango puree with whisky. While a Moscow Mule is traditionally made using vodka, you can swap it up with any Indian whisky of your choice. Perfect for hot summer days or just when you’re in the mood to devour mangoes, but in a drink!

Ingredients:

• Whisky of your choice
• Fresh mango puree
• Fresh lime juice
• Ginger beer
• Mint leaves for garnish
• Mango slice for garnish

Process:

• In a copper mug or a highball glass, add the whisky, mango puree, and lime juice.
• Stir well to ensure the puree is incorporated with the whisky.
• Fill the mug with crushed ice.
• Top it with ginger beer.
• Garnish with mint leaves and a mango slice and serve!

Also Read: 6 Simple Tips To Make Creamy Dessert Cocktails At Home

10. Seelbach

For our list entry on the whisky cocktail recipe list to make at home, there is a cocktail that’s not much known in bars in India yet. Despite that, we think you must try making the Seelbach at home – it’s easy, layered, and indulgent. All you need is a bourbon of your choice, Cointreau, bitters, and champagne. Let’s take a look at how to craft a delicious, visually appealing, and rich cocktail.

Ingredients:

• Bourbon of your choice
• Cointreau
• Angostura bitters
• Peychaud’s bitters
• Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled
• Orange twist for garnish

Process:

• Add the bourbon, bitters, and Cointreau into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
• Strain into a chilled flute glass.
• Top the drink with champagne or sparkling wine.
• Garnish with an orange twist.

Summing Up

Whisky cocktails, for the most part, are deceptively simple to make yet pack a whole lot of punch in each sip. Whether you’re in the mood to sip a ‘mango-fied’ version of the Moscow Mule, love savoring a classic Mint Julep, or in the mood to enjoy a Rusty Nail, we’ve got you covered!