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Drinks

In Good Spirits: 5 Whiskey Cocktail Recipes To Try Out This Season

Stirred, spiced, and smoked: whiskey cocktails to sip your way through!

| Vaishnavi Rana
Whiskey Cocktails

When it comes to cocktails that promise depth and drama, a good whiskey cocktail rarely disappoints. There’s something undeniably charming about the way this amber-hued spirit anchors a drink, sturdy yet versatile. From smoky twists that conjure bonfire nights to spiced infusions that warm you from within, and even playful concoctions topped with chocolate-coated corn, these creations go well beyond the classics. They’re proof that whiskey is an all-season star. Whether you prefer your cocktail smoky or silky, brimming with botanicals or layered with spice, this line-up of five whiskey cocktail recipes from restaurants is all set to raise your spirits.

Eve, Santacruz

Cocktail Name- Forbidden Sip

Forbidden Sip has warm spices and orchard-fresh apple juice, brought together with a clever milk-wash technique for extra smoothness.

 

Forbidden Sip
Forbidden Sip Photograph: (Eve, Santacruz)

Recipe Information

Ingredients

  • Cinnamon

  • Cloves

  • Star Anise

  • Nutmeg

  • Pink Peppercorns

  • Whiskey

  • House-made 5 Spice Syrup

  • Fresh Apple Juice

Preparation

Step 1

Add all spices to the water and bring to a boil.

Step 2

Simmer for a few minutes to extract maximum flavour.

Step 3

Strain the spiced water, add sugar, and stir until fully dissolved. 

Step 4 

Allow the syrup to cool, infusing it with the rich essence of the spices.

Step 5

Combine whiskey, house-made 5-spice syrup, and fresh apple juice.

Step 6

Clarify the cocktail batch using the milk wash technique for a silky, refined texture and brilliant clarity.

Step 7

Serve chilled, allowing the warmth of whiskey to blend seamlessly with aromatic spices and fresh apple notes. 

Ocho, Bandra

Cocktail Name - Reflexion (The God of Corn)

This playful drink pays homage to corn in all its glory, blending bourbon with fino sherry, chocolate tincture, and crispy corn milk for a mix that’s both quirky and complex.

 

Reflexion (The God of Corn)
Reflexion (The God of Corn) Photograph: (Ocho, Bandra)

Recipe Information

Ingredients

  • Bourbon Whiskey

  • Fino Sherry

  • Dark Chocolate Tincture

  • Crispy Corn Milk

  • Agave

  • Lemon

  • Bitters

Preparation

Step 1

Shake all ingredients with ice until well chilled.

Step 2

Strain into a glass placed in a woven holder.

Step 3

Garnish with a wooden spoon topped with chocolate-coated crispy corn. 

 

Nouba, Jaipur

Cocktail name: Smokey Old Fashioned 

The beloved Old Fashioned gets a smoky makeover, complete with rosemary garnish and a cloud of aromatic smoke.

 

Smokey Old Fashioned
Smokey Old Fashioned Photograph: (Nouba, Jaipur)

Recipe Information

Ingredients

  • 50ml Jim Beam Whiskey

  • 1 Sugar Cube

  • 2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters

  • 1 sprig Rosemary (for garnish)

  • Ice cubes

  • Smoke (from a smoking device)

Preparation

Step 1

Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass and soak it with Angostura Bitters.

Step 2

Muddle the sugar until it dissolves.

Step 3

Add 50ml Jim Beam Bourbon and fill the glass with ice cubes.

Step 4

Stir well to chill and dilute the drink slightly. 

Step 5 

Use a smoking device to fill the glass with smoke, covering it for 10-15 seconds to infuse flavor. 

Step 6

Garnish with a lightly smouldered rosemary sprig for an aromatic finish.

Step 7

Serve and enjoy this sophisticated, smoky twist on a classic cocktail!

Baglami, BKC

Cocktail Name - Amorist

Amorist is a love letter to undertones, marrying smooth whiskey with lemongrass syrup, jasmine and vetiver tinctures, and a touch of amaretto.

Amorist
Amorist Photograph: (Baglami, BKC)

Recipe Information

Ingredients

  • Whiskey: 60 ml (Choose a smooth, well-rounded whiskey for best results)

  • Indian Lemongrass Syrup: 15 ml (Boil equal parts sugar and water with fresh lemongrass stalks, simmer, strain, and cool)

  • Jasmine Tincture: 2-3 dashes (Steep jasmine flowers in high-proof alcohol for 2-3 days, then strain)

  • Vetiver Tincture: 2-3 dashes (Infuse vetiver root in high-proof alcohol for a few days, then strain)

  • House Amaretto: 10 ml (For a nutty, sweet note. Store-bought amaretto works if not homemade)

  • Citric Acid Solution: 10 ml (Dissolve 1 tsp citric acid in 100 ml of water for balanced acidity)

  • Garnish: Biscuit or Edible Flower (As seen in the image for a charming touch)

Preparation

Step 1

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. 

Step 2

Stir well until the mixture is chilled and properly diluted.

Step 3

Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube.

Step 4

Top with a biscuit or an edible flower for aesthetic appeal.

Luuma House, Juhu

Cocktail Name: Jazz Club

Smoky bourbon meets spiced masala tea and French vanilla, rounded out with anantamool extract and a final flourish of wood smoke.

 

Recipe Information

Ingredients

  • 60ml Smoky Bourbon Whiskey

  • 60ml Masala Tea (infused with Indian spices)

  • 10ml French Vanilla

  • 5ml Anantamool Extract

  • Ice cubes

  • Wood smoke (for infusion)

Preparation

Step 1

Fill a mixing glass with ice.

Step 2

Add 60ml bourbon whiskey, 60ml masala tea, French vanilla, and anantamool extract. 

Step 3 

Stir gently to chill and blend the flavours.

Step 4

Strain into a brandy balloon glass.

Step 5

Finish with a flame-kissed wood smoke infusion for a rich, smoky depth.

Step 6

Serve and enjoy this warm, spiced, and aromatic cocktail. 

There you have it, five inventive whiskey cocktails that bring creativity to the classics. Each glass is an invitation to lively conversations and a fun vibe. So, the next time you’re in the mood to raise a toast, skip the ordinary and let these spirited creations lead the way. After all, good whiskey deserves a great twist.

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