Easy Whisky Cocktails For The Whisky Novice
If you are a novice to whisky and interested in learning about the spirit there's an easy way to get the ball rolling—start with cocktails. One of the best ways to develop an appreciation for the rich and complex flavors in whisky is to start with the brown spirit in a cocktail. Master Blender for Johnnie Walker , the world's largest-selling blended Scotch whisky brand, Dr. Emma Walker suggests focusing on flavor—and she should know. In her role as chief blender, Walker, who is no relation to the brand name, is tasked with creating flavor inspiration from the brand's 10 million casks stored across Scotland—the world's largest collection of whiskies to be exact. Yet, the monumental size of flavor choices fails to intimidate Walker; to her it's an opportunity to bring everyone to the whisky table. "There's something there for everyone and that is just beautiful." explains Walker, "There are always flavors in there that people are going to enjoy. It might be as a dram, it might be as a highball, it might be as a cocktail."
Walker is adamant that whisky enjoyment not be bound by rules, "it's not the case at all that whiskey is for a certain gender, or is to be drunk in a certain way, at certain time of day. Look at some of our innovations, including Johnny Walker Blonde , which is a lighter, more accessible offering meant to be enjoyed with lemonade or mixed into cocktails."
Leveraging the highball is one of the easiest formats to bring in the flavors you seek—be sure to have a high quality soda water on hand ( Fever Tree is a good choice) as well as plenty of good ice and fresh citrus. Says Walker, "The highball is a great starting point for anyone exploring whisky. It's light, refreshing, and less intense than drinking whisky neat, making it friendlier to the palate of a novice. This cocktail is highly customizable - you can mix whisky with soda water, ginger ale, or other flavored sodas to suit your tastes. I enjoy a highball using blood orange soda or tonic water." In terms of spirit, Walker recommends working with their Black Label blend, "the balanced mix of creamy toffee, soft apple, vanilla, and a touch of smoky finish makes it a versatile option that shines in cocktails, bringing bold flavors without overwhelming the palate." It's not all about serious contemplative staring into a fire with a dram clutched in one hand. Rather, says Walker, "At the end of the day it's rather simple. To select the whisky cocktail that's right for you focus on flavor first, always, flavor first."
Johnnie Walker Ginger Highball Ingredients:Preparation: Build all ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Apple Sparkler Highball Ingredients:Preparation: Build all ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with candied ginger.
Lemon Highball Ingredients:Preparation: Build all ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.
Johnnie Walker Colada Ingredients:*Pecan Cane
Preparation: Combine everything in a shaker, whip shake with 2 pieces of ice and strain over pebble ice.
Johnnie Walker: Ice Chalet Perfect Whisky HighballIce Chalet is the brands newest limited expression—once it's sold out it's gone. This one is crafted from a collection of whiskies that were distilled during the coldest years in Scotland. The addition of Champagne (certainly any method champenoise brut will work) to this makes it a true luxury cocktail.
Ingredients:*Honeyed apple juice:
