There are few things more comforting than sipping a dram of Scotch or a stout whiskey cocktail during the cold winter months. But just like red wine, people often shove whiskey to the back of their liquor cabinets during the summer months, as they opt for refreshing white wines, beer and light, fruity cocktails. While drinking habits may change to complement the season, there’s no reason to leave whiskey out of your summer cocktail rotation. It too can provide plenty of protection from the summer heat.
The below cocktail recipes use Canadian Club, a blended whiskey that works well in cocktails and is specifically called for in several classics. The standard six-year old bottling is smooth and mellow, and at a modest price point of about $15, it’s easy to come by.
Whiskey Sour
2 parts Canadian Club
Juice of half a lemon
½ teaspoon sugar
Strain over ice into a chilled sour glass, and garnish with a cherry and lemon wedge.
Summer Melon Thyme
1 ½ parts Canadian Club
¾ parts Triple Sec
2 parts Fresh Lemon Sour
3 cubes fresh watermelon
Sprig of Thyme
Muddle watermelon in a mixing glass. Add all remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a watermelon spear or lemon twist.
Mango Smash
1 ½ parts Canadian Club Reserve 10 year
3 chunks fresh mango
1 orange slice
2 sugar cubes
2-3 dashes of Orange Bitters
Soda water
In an Old Fashioned glass muddle sugar cube with bitters, add fruit and muddle again to release oils from the orange peel. Fill glass with ice, add whiskey and stir. Spritz with soda water, stir once more and drop in a cherry for garnish.
