Warming Up Your Winter Whiskey Style

Five whiskey cocktail recipes guaranteed to please the palate.

Few other libations have the character and magical warming powers of whiskey. Though cowgirls are known to take their whiskey straight from the bottle, there are many more civilized ways to enjoy this drink. Below you will find several tasty ways to prepare this flavorful beverage. Read on and remember: it’s always happy hour somewhere.

The Manhattan
The classic cocktail can be made with any type of whiskey, though rye is the traditional choice. Enjoyed by Sex and the City characters and Brat Packers alike this cocktail goes down smooth, but packs a punch.

Ingredients:
2 oz rye whiskey
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry for garnish

Preparation:
Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice cubes and stir or shake well.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.

Hot Whiskey Punch
This drink is amazing on a cold, winter night. It takes a little bit of work, but it will all be worth it when you and your sweetie are sharing a blanket and cuddling up with a couple of warm ones.

Ingredients:
1 liter blended whiskey

1 cup granulated sugar

4 lemons

8 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

Preparation:
Peel and slice the lemons, putting the peels into a large, non-reactive saucepan. Add sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves and three cups of water. Set over a medium-high heat and stir frequently to dissolve the sugar. Allow the water to reach the boil, then simmer on low for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture and return to the pan. Add the whiskey and heat, but do not boil. Serve in Irish coffee glasses with a slice of peeled lemon in each.

Mamie Taylor
The Mamie Taylor cocktail was named after an 1890s opera star and is a refreshing, bubbly way to imbibe the brown stuff. After a couple of these babies, you’ll be singing songs of your own.

Ingredients:

2 shots Scotch whiskey (blended or other) 

juice from 1/2 a fresh lime

Ginger beer (to taste)


Preparation:
Squeeze the lime into a tall glass filled with ice.  Add the whiskey and fill with ginger beer to taste.

The Algonquin
The Algonquin Hotel, located at 59 West 44th Street in Manhattan, is known for hosting literary salons that brought together such notables as Dorothy Parker and feminist Ruth Hale. The chatting authors kept their whistles wet with this concoction (at least until prohibition came along and ruined their fun). Cheers and let the Bon monts roll!

Ingredients:

2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz dry vermouth 

1 oz pineapple juice

Preparation:
In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients with ice cubes and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Bourbon sidecar
This drink is usually made with brandy, but the whisky based version is an excellent alternative. Feel free to add sugar to the glass rim if you want to add a little sweetness.

Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon whiskey

1 oz triple sec

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

Preparation:
In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients with ice cubes and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
 

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