Whisky Cocktails for Summer - Cool Recipes & Ideas

Summer is hitting us hard this year with high temperatures, so we need to remember to stay refreshed. First and foremost – don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Of course, there’s something for whisky lovers too!

The Summer Side of Whisky – Refreshing Cocktails for Warm Days

When we think of whisky, many of us picture a comfy armchair, cool evenings, and slowly sipping a golden spirit. But whisky also has a completely different side – lighter and more refreshing. Here are a few cocktail ideas that prove whisky works wonderfully in summer too – served with ice, citrus, and exotic additions.

Here you'll find recipes for a few cocktails that will brighten your warm summer evenings:

Mint Julep

One of the most famous cocktails in the world, it’s the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby horse races, where it’s consumed in almost wholesale quantities. This mix of bourbon, sugar, water, and mint flows by the gallon during the event.

Mint Julep – Cocktail Recipe

• 60 ml American bourbon whiskey • 20 ml sugar syrup • 8 mint leaves

Pineapple Mint Julep

• leaves from two sprigs of mint • a slice of ripe pineapple • 30 ml sugar syrup • 60 ml bourbon • a sprig of mint for garnish

GodFather

This is a very simple drink to prepare, as it contains only two ingredients: Scotch whisky and amaretto liqueur. The Godfather is also not technically difficult to make and does not require advanced tools. Just pour 40 ml of Scotch whisky and 20 ml of amaretto liqueur into a lowball glass filled with ice, in that order. Then stir the ingredients thoroughly, and your Godfather is ready.

Tennessee Iced Tea

• American Tennessee whiskey – 40 ml • Light rum – 15 ml • Vodka – 15 ml • Cointreau triple sec – 15 ml • Lemon juice – 20 ml • Sugar syrup – 10 ml • Cola – 40 ml

Pour all the ingredients (except the cola!) into a shaker and shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice, then top up with cola. The final step to a perfect cocktail is the garnish! Use a lemon wedge as decoration… and you’re done!

Loch Almond Highball

• Scotch blended whisky – 50 ml • Almond liqueur – 30 ml • Ginger beer – 80 ml

Build the cocktail directly in a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Pour in the appropriate amounts of Scotch whisky and almond liqueur. Finally, add the ginger beer and garnish with an orange peel.

FLYING SCOTSMAN

Scotch blended whisky – 40 ml Sweet vermouth – 40 ml Sugar syrup – 5 ml Angostura bitters – 3 dashes

Preparation method: Serve the cocktail in a low, chilled glass, so start by filling the glass with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes. Then prepare a mixing glass and pour in all the ingredients. Use a jigger or measuring cup to measure the exact amounts. Stir thoroughly and strain into a low glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange peel.

Whiskey Sour

• 60 ml American bourbon whiskey • 10 ml lemon juice • 10 ml lime juice • 20 ml sugar syrup • optionally, egg white can be added

Preparation method:

Fill a shaker with ice and pour in the ingredients one by one (a jigger or measuring cup will help you measure the exact amounts). Then shake everything vigorously and strain into a low glass. The final step for a perfect cocktail is the garnish! Use a cocktail cherry and an orange wedge for decoration. Enjoy! Tip: If you decide to use egg white, add it to the shaker together with the other ingredients.

Whisky Macdonald

• Scotch whisky – 60 ml • Green ginger wine – 40 ml

Preparation method: The cocktail itself is very simple both in ingredients and preparation. Just add a few ice cubes to a low glass, then pour in the appropriate amounts of the ingredients and stir gently.

Colonel T

• American bourbon whiskey – 40 ml • Apricot liqueur – 20 ml • Pineapple juice – 60 ml • Lemon juice – 10 ml

Preparation method:

Shake all the ingredients in a shaker and strain the contents into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a piece of pineapple. If you have canned pineapple, use half or a quarter of a slice; if using fresh pineapple, simply cut a small piece “by eye” and decorate the cocktail with it.

Why is it worth drinking whisky in the summer?

Whisky doesn’t have to be reserved only for winter evenings. Thanks to the versatility of this spirit, it pairs wonderfully with fruits, spices, and refreshing additions. Summer is the perfect time to try whisky in a new, surprising way.