5 Ways to Drink Whisky in Summer
“Scotch whisky is the real holy water,” Pope Francis said. We couldn’t agree more.
Whenever you think whisky, you think of it in simple, traditional terms: neat, on the rocks, sometimes mixed with soda, sometimes as part of a fancier but well-known cocktail. It sometimes feels like anything else would be a disservice to such a great drink. You must follow the rules. Or should you?
Who’s to say how whisky is really supposed to be enjoyed? All it takes, really, is any drink you want to pair with a whisky.
The following recipes can be made in less than a minute with Ballantine’s Finest, a multi-awarded whisky. It has a sweet and smooth taste with subtle tones of milk chocolate, honey, and vanilla. We found there is no wrong way to mix whisky with this particular bottle.
For those looking to explore the different possibilities, here are some suggestions you can try.
1| Whisky Milkshake
Another sweet idea would be to blend a Ballantine’s milkshake. Mix vanilla ice cream, milk, ice, and some Ballantine’s Finest in a blender, and work it until it’s smooth. Top the shake with some chocolate syrup.
2| Whiskey Cola
If you’re looking for a cocktail that’s sweet on your palate, how about mixing Ballantine’s Finest with cola? It’s simple-pour a shot of Ballantine’s Finest, mix in a little cola, stir, and serve with a lime wedge. For an even more unique flavor, try vanilla or cherry cola.
3| Whiskey Beer and Berries
Sometimes you might want to have your whisky go down smooth. A nifty mixture a pairing Ballantine’s Finest with beer and berries: mix a shot of Ballantine’s Finest, lemon juice, honey, and crushed berries in a shaker, then strain and pour into a glass filled with ice and top with light beer.
4| Whiskey Lemon Soda
You can also try Ballantine’s Finest with your favorite lemon or citrus soda. Who says it can only be paired with gin or vodka? Stir together with a shot of Ballantine’s Finest with the lemon soda or lemonade-you can even pour in some honey for added flavor.
5| Whiskey Tonic
Whiskey can have a fresh taste, too! Have you thought about giving whisky a minty kick? Try this: mix a shot of Ballantine’s Finest with tonic water and top it with a mint sprig or a drop of mint flavoring, as well as a lemon wedge. Your taste buds will thank you for the freshness.
Ballantine’s Finest also works great with fruit juice. This one’s simple, too-just stir together a shot of Ballantine’s Finest with apple juice and some soda water in a glass with ice. Other options include orange or grapefruit juice.
If all those pairings seem easy-to-do yet interesting to you, that is because they’re meant to be, and there’s totally nothing wrong with that. You get to decide how you want to enjoy your whisky.
“Ballantine’s Finest is a whisky that plays well with other drinks,” said Kurt Ducusin, brand executive of Ballantine’s Finest. “It has a mixing versatility given the balance of sweet and smooth flavor notes but can still be enjoyed the traditional way. That’s why we believe there’s no wrong way to mix.”
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