Highland Park Scotch Whisky Cocktails

Scotch Whisky doesn’t get enough love in cocktails. Sure, we prefer to sip it straight more often than not, but a well-crafted Scotch cocktail is something special. And there’s just something about the holidays that makes us crave them. Thankfully, Highland Park sent along some inspiration, in the form of these drinks, each featuring Highland Park’s 12 year old expression.

For the best results, pair with a warm fire.

This first drink was crafted by Damon Boelte of NYC’s Prime Meats. It starts with the basic sour template, and from there it invokes the holidays with cinnamon syrup and some apricot liqueur.

UK Sour

1 ½ ounces Highland Park 12
½ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce cinnamon syrup
¼ ounce Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur
Float of red wine

Combine first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake and strain into a rocks glass. Float with red wine.

Next up, we’ve got The Brogue, courtesy of Leo Robitschek of NYC’s Eleven Madison Park. It pairs the tried-and-true combination of Scotch with Drambuie and adds some honey-lavender syrup, which further complements the honey and herbs present in Drambuie.

The Brogue

1 ½ ounces Highland Park 12
½ ounce Drambuie
¾ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce honey-infused lavender syrup
Dried lavender

Combine the Scotch, Drambuie, lemon juice and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with dried lavender.

Both cocktails can hold their own at parties and alongside holiday meals. Or simply make one for yourself and celebrate the close of another Wednesday.