BY BLACKENED
Most people switch to clear spirits once summer hits, but you don’t have to wait for the seasons to change to continue enjoying your favorite bottle of whiskey. From sours and shandies to mules and lemonades, the brown spirit is the base for many light, refreshing summer whiskey cocktails. Whiskey also pairs perfectly with citrus, a common feature in many tropical summer cocktails, so there’s really no need to put away the whiskey come summer. Read on for the best summer whiskey cocktails and tropical whiskey drinks.
Here are some of our favorite summertime whiskey cocktails!
MINT JULEP
The official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep is just as delicious in the summer as it is in May—and arguably more refreshing. Made with bourbon, sugar, mint, and heaps of crushed ice, the summer whiskey cocktail is best served in a metal julep cup to keep it cool and frosty. Pro tip: Opt for a whiskey in the 90-proof category to keep the crushed ice from diluting the cocktail too quickly.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- .25 parts simple syrup
- Mint leaves for garnish
WHISKEY LEMONADE
There’s nothing better than a glass of cold lemonade on a hot summer day. Especially when it’s spiked with your favorite whiskey. This adult version of the summertime staple can be made with store-bought or homemade lemonade and is easily adaptable. Want strawberry or blueberry whiskey lemonade instead? Just muddle those fruits during the process.
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- 3 parts lemonade, homemade or store-bought
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary or mint
WHISKEY smash
Invented by Jerry Thomas in 1887, the Whiskey Smash is like a Mint Julep crossed with a Whiskey Sour—and is everything you want on a hot summer day. Made with rye, lemon juice, fresh mint, and slow-melting ice, the sweet, sour summertime whiskey cocktail deserves a spot in your rotation. Mix things up by swapping in peach simple syrup to make yourself a peach whiskey smash.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- .75 parts lemon juice
- .5 part simple syrup
- 6 mint sprigs for garnish
KENTUCKY MULE
If you’re a fan of the Moscow Mule, you’ll love the Kentucky Mule. Making one is as easy as swapping vodka for whiskey, combining with lime juice and ginger beer in a mule mug, and topping with lime and mint. No shaking, stirring, or shvitzing required.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- .5 parts fresh lime juice
- 4 parts ginger beer
- Lime wedge and fresh mint garnish
OLD FASHIONED
There’s never a bad time for an Old Fashioned. Though often pegged as a comforting cold weather drink, the original whiskey cocktail also shines in the summertime. The classic is easy enough to make (even during a heat wave), is served ice-cold on a big rock, and comes with a refreshing citrus peel garnish.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 sugar cube
- Orange peel for garnish
SHANDY MAKER
Cracking a cold one is a time-honored summer tradition, so why not incorporate one in your next summer whiskey cocktail? Following in the footsteps of the Lemon Shandy and Michelada, the Shandy Maker pairs a hoppy IPA with 100-proof bourbon alongside citrus and muddled marjoram. The result? The perfect warm weather cooler.
INGREDIENTS
- 1.75 parts Limited Edition Batch 112 Cask Strength Whiskey
- .75 parts fresh grapefruit juice
- .25 parts fresh lemon juice
- .25 parts simple syrup
- 2-4 leaves fresh marjoram
- 3 parts Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, chilled
- Grapefruit twist for garnish
FRENCH 95
The French 95 is a whiskey riff on the French 75, a classic champagne cocktail that gets its name from the fast-firing 75 millimeter field gun utilized by the French during World War I. Suffice it to say, the cocktail packs quite the punch. The French 95 is perfect for those looking for a stronger alternative to mimosas at Sunday brunch or a summer cocktail party.
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- 2.5 parts champagne
- .5 part simple syrup
- 1 part lemon juice
THE OLD PAL
A riff on the classic Negroni, the Old Pal swaps gin for whiskey, sweet vermouth for dry, and orange peel for lemon as the garnish, resulting in a lighter version of the spirit-forward classic. The recipe first appeared in print in the 1927 Barflies and Cocktails book, and remains a go-to summer whiskey cocktail to this day.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- 1 part Campari
- 1 part dry vermouth
WHISKEY SOUR
The Whiskey Sour belongs to one of the oldest classes of cocktails, and has been satisfying thirsty tipplers for well over a century. Traditional recipes call for egg whites, but all you need to get started is a good whiskey, citrus, and sugar.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- 1 part fresh lemon juice
- .75 parts pure maple syrup (or simple syrup)
- Orange peel and cocktail cherry for garnish
HAWAIIAN STONE SOUR
The Hawaiian Stone Sour is a tropical twist on a classic Whiskey Sour, and is just as easy to make—just add pineapple juice to the recipe. If you love fruity drinks in the summertime, this tropical whiskey cocktail is for you.
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 parts BLACKENED® American Whiskey
- 1.5 parts fresh pineapple juice
- 1 part fresh lemon juice
- 1 part simple syrup
- Pineapple wedge and Maraschino cherry for garnish
COOL OFF WITH BLACKENED
Whether served neat, on the rocks, or in a refreshing cocktail, BLACKENED Whiskey is perfect for summer. If you want an extra kick to your cocktail mix it with BLACKENED’s Cask Strength Whiskey. Visit our online store to buy BLACKENED Whiskey or use our store locator to find BLACKENED Whiskey near you and get started on your next great summer whiskey cocktail.
