5 Whisky Cocktails to Get You Through Winter

Everyone has been saying the same thing over and over again, but we will say it one more time. It’s been a weird few years! Even the most normal things have become something to dream about. In all honesty, when was the last time you put on real pants (we’re not talking about underwear) and spend some time in your favourite restaurant or better yet, in the new neighbourhood bar, sipping on that whisky sour with a twist? It’s been a while. It’s been a damn while.

In Finland there is a term when you stick to those underpants and enjoy your cocktails at home. Have you ever heard of “kalsarikännit”? Literally it means you get drunk alone in your underpants. Rather than drinking like there is no tomorrow, we suggest you make yourself one cocktail to enjoy after work. We listed our five favourite whisky cocktails with easy recipes for you to try. And when that favourite bar of yours opens up again, put those pants on and try something new.

Old Fashioned

Let’s start with the classic. This drink was already ordered in the local pubs in the 1800’s and it’s still in fashion. There are plenty of tricks to make this cocktail “the very best”, but we suggest you start with this recipe and use rye whisky – it’ll take you a long way and it’s so simple you really don’t have a reason not to give it a shot.

  • 4 cl rye whisky

  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

  • 1 sugar cube

  • Soda water

  • Orange peel

  • Ice

Place the sugar cube in a glass. Wet it down with Angostura bitters and a short splash of soda. Crush the sugar with a wooden muddler (use a wooden spoon), then rotate the glass so that the sugar grains and bitters give it a lining. Add ice and pour in the whisky. Garnish with an orange twist.

Irish Coffee

We’ve all heard our parents and grandparents say it: things were better before. We might have cracked the puzzle why they think this way and we really can’t blame them. Some might say Irish Coffee is anything but a trendy drink. We twisted this, created the Ryeish Coffee and learned, simple things are the best. The very best thing is, your parents will love it, too.

  • 4 cl rye whisky

  • 1 cup hot coffee

  • 1 tsp - 1tbl brown sugar (taste and see what fits your liking)

  • Lightly whipped cream

Warm a glass with hot water. Pour away the water and pour in the coffee. Add sugar to your tasting. Stir. Add rye whisky and stir again. Float the cream on top with the help of a spoon. Serve and enjoy right away.

Whisky Sour

Whisky isn’t really that serious – even with so many people trying to make it so. There are days when you simply don’t feel like enjoying the dram neat and that’s more than okay. But is there ever a day you can say no to a Whisky sour? Looking for a vegan option? Replace the egg white with 1 tbsp of aquafaba.

  • 4 cl rye whisky

  • 2 cl fresh-squeezed lemon juice

  • 1,5 cl sugar syrup

  • 1 egg white

  • Lots of ice

Separate egg white. Add rye whisky, lemon juice and sugar syrup and dry shake the ingredients with egg to create the meringue. Add ice and shake it like a polaroid picture. Pour into a glass and garnish with orange peel. Don't have a shaker? Use a jar with a lid instead.

Boulevardier

This is “the Negroni’s long-lost autumnal cousin”. In other words the perfect drink to enjoy during the long, cold and sometimes a bit lonely winter nights. In fact, why don’t you make it less lonely and invite a friend over. This rich cocktail is longing to be sipped in good company.

  • 2 cl rye whisky

  • 2 cl Campari

  • 2 cl Sweet vermouth

  • Orange peel

  • Ice

Add all ingredients to a glass with ice. Stir gently. Add orange peel and let the whisky involved tell you a whole new story.

Hot Toddy

What is winter but cold nights and snowy days. Keep yourself warm with by simply heating up some water and mixing it with a few tasty ingredients, rye whisky included.

4 cl rye whisky

12 cl hot water

1 tsp honey (Try Kyrö Honey, it's amazing)

Slice of lemon

Bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug. Add rye whisky, honey and lemon (if desired). Stir until the honey has disappeared into the hot water.