5 Easy Whisky Cocktails You Can Make At Home

You’ve got whisky, a craving for a cocktail, and not much else to work with. What can you make? The answer: more than you think. Here are five easy whisky-based cocktails you can mix up in the comfort of your own home—no fancy bar tools required.

Do you ever get the hankering for a stiff drink while you’re at home, but just can’t be bothered to go out to get it? You probably have, and that’s fine. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about; it just means you’re human. But what if I told you that, in this instance at least, you can have your cake and eat it too? I’ve prepared for you (and for myself, really) a list of five different cocktails you can mix up in the comfort of your own home, without so much as a bar spoon. Because, really, all you need is what’s in your kitchen and a bit of spirit.

1. Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is an enduring classic. It has seen many a cocktail go in and out of style over the last two centuries, but it itself has stood the test of time. Enjoyed as frequently as ever in the present day, part of its appeal is in its simplicity. Like its name suggests, it’s no-frills, easy-to-make, and unpretentious. And it’s precisely these qualities that make it the perfect inauguration to our list.

Ingredients:

• 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp granulated sugar)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 45ml whisky (bourbon or rye)
• Ice
• Orange peel (optional)

Method:

1. Drop your sugar (or cube) into your glass.
2. Add a couple of dashes of bitters and a splash of water to help dissolve that sugar, then stir.
3. Toss in ice.
4. Pour in whisky (you can eyeball this, maybe a “double shot” level).
5. Stir to chill & slightly dilute.
6. If you’ve got an orange peel, twist it over the drink for oils and drop it in.

The Old Fashioned embodies exactly what we’re looking for on this list. You don’t need a shaker, a strainer, an extra mixing glass, or any of that. It’s a drink that’s both high-proof and idiot-proof.

2. Rusty Nail

Just because something is easy to make, it doesn’t mean it can’t be classy, as the Rusty Nail so aptly illustrates. You build it right there in the same glass you drink it in, stir, and then it’s all yours. It’s got a nice mélange of flavours, with the Scotch giving it some backbone, while the Drambuie imparts sweetness, a herbaceous tint, and a little honey warmth.

Ingredients:

• 45ml Scotch whisky
• 25ml Drambuie
• Ice
• (Optional: lemon twist)

Method:

1. Fill your glass with ice.
2. Add scotch and Drambuie in a ratio you like (some do 2:1 whisky:Drambuie).
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with lemon peel if you want a lift.

This is the perfect cocktail for nights where you’d rather not fuss over tools but still want something that tastes like you made an effort. You’ll find few better companions to hold and relax in an armchair with.

3. Highball

The highball is another beloved staple, and for good reason, too. It simply doesn’t get any easier than this. In the highball, you have a cocktail that’s light, refreshing, and absolutely no hassle at all to put together. If you ever needed proof that less is more, look no further than this ubiquitous pick-me-up.

Ingredients:

• 50ml whisky (rye, bourbon, or blended)
• 125ml soda water (or sparkling water)
• Ice
• Lemon slice/peel (optional)

Method:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Pour your whisky.
3. Top up with soda water.
4. Gently stir to combine.
5. Garnish with lemon if you have it.

It’s a drink that’s easy to enjoy but with a lot of character. Its refreshing nature also makes it a great go-to for all-day events like barbecues or sunny afternoons. Not to mention, it also makes for a particularly good option if you have a nice bottle of whisky that you still want to delight in the nuances of.

4. Hot Toddy

Picture this: you’ve just been caught in the rain. You get home, have a shower, and now you’re all chilly. You feel like a warm cocktail would really hit the spot, but the thought of putting together something like an Irish Coffee or Mulled Wine is enough to make you want to forget the idea entirely. Enter the Hot Toddy, a cosy, ice-free option you can whip up just like that (I’m snapping my fingers here).

Ingredients:

• 50ml whisky
• 200ml hot water
• 1-2 tsp honey (or sugar)
• 1 slice lemon (or juice of half)
• Optional: spices (1-2 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick)

Method:

1. In a mug or heatproof glass, mix whisky, sweetener, and lemon.
2. Add hot water and stir until everything dissolves.
3. Toss in a clove or cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy.

And there you have it: a winter classic that you don’t actually have to wait for winter for. It also makes a great remedy for colds and sore throats, as the warmth of the drink and the honey mixed in can help soothe irritation in your throat.

5. Godfather

The Godfather: a drink that’s as no-nonsense as its name. Want a cocktail that couldn’t give less of a damn about impressing anyone (but still does)? This is it. Two ingredients that pack a powerful one-two punch. In short, this is a drink that gets to the point.

Ingredients:

• 30ml Scotch whisky
• 30ml Amaretto
• Ice
• (Optional: orange twist)

Method:

1. Fill your glass with ice.
2. Pour in scotch and amaretto.
3. Stir to chill.
4. Garnish with a twist if you want.

The Godfather is the kind of drink you can imagine in a dimly lit bar, somewhere in the back of a smoky room. The kind of drink you sip while leaning back, feet up, waiting for someone to ask you a question you don’t even need to answer. Make no bones about it, this is a drink for people with nothing to prove.

Your Whisky, Your Way

Quick tip before you go: a tablespoon equals about 15ml, so if you don’t have a jigger, just grab a spoon. And there you have it, five simple whisky-based cocktails that you can build in the comfort of your own home that’ll taste as good as anything you order outside. Whether you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing or warm and soothing, chances are there’s a drink here that’ll tickle your fancy.