Whiskey is an incredible drink, but it’s also incredibly versatile. There are a ton of different ways that you can enjoy whiskey, but here you’re going to focus on three of everyone’s favourites: neat, on the rocks and old-fashioned.
Old Fashioned or a Manhattan
For a classic whiskey drink, the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are what you’re looking for. An Old Fashioned is made with bourbon or rye whiskey, bitters, sugar (or simple syrup), water and a twist of orange peel. It can be served over ice if you like your drinks on the rocks.
A Manhattan follows the same formula as an Old Fashioned but swaps out bourbon for rye whiskey and adds a few dashes of Angostura bitters to create something more complex in flavour that’s still sweet enough to sip without hesitation.
If you don’t have any particular preference when it comes to drinking whiskey neat or on the rocks—or if you want to try something new, you can try Mountain Red Gum Single Malt.
Neat
You drink whiskey neat. That’s what you do, and it’s not a question of whether or not you should; it’s simply a fact. You’re the type who couldn’t even dream of drinking it any other way if they tried, because it would be like trying to imagine your life without air or water: impossible and unnecessary. You have no use for ice cubes in your whiskey, nor do you feel the need to dilute its flavour with water.
But just because you prefer to drink whiskey without any additions doesn’t mean that there aren’t those who find heaven in its cloudy depths by way of rocks: ice cubes packed with some nice crystals into which they may sink their teeth at their leisure and if that sounds like something that might appeal to you more than plain old neat whiskey, then, by all means, go ahead!
On the rocks
When you’re out of whiskey and you need more, there are a few ways to get that fix. Sometimes, the easiest way to drink whiskey is just by mixing it with water or ice and then taking a sip. This is an easy method that can be applied at home or in social settings like bars and parties.
If you want to make sure your whiskey is chilled but don’t want ice cubes diluting its flavour too much: try stirring a shot of whiskey into a glass filled with crushed ice for about 15 seconds until cold (but not too long). This will chill down your drink without making it overly diluted.
For the extra classy touch: add some sugar or honey for sweetness! If you’re feeling adventurous: add lemons or limes for extra zestiness! Or if all else fails—just use ginger ale instead! Ginger beer works as well; the same goes for cranberry juice, orange juice, peach juice… even pineapple juice.
Apple cider works too! Coconut water can also work well here because it adds just enough sweetness in addition to being refreshingly hydrating on hot days when sipping whiskey straight isn’t enough hydration.
You can enjoy your whiskey any way you choose, but these three are probably the most common ways. There are lots of other options out there if you want to try something different.