Make Personal Progress With Your Cocktail Skills This CNY With These 9 Recipes
Celebrate this Chinese New Year with some upgraded cocktails by the masters of the craft of blend.
Published for Johnnie Walker, 13 Feb 2018, 12:31 PM
Johnnie Walker wants to encourage you to make personal progress this Chinese New Year, and you can do it in the form of enhancing classic whisky cocktails
Whisky cocktails are some of the most popular ones around the world. Any decent bar serves an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, even if it's not on the menu.
These are cocktails that have stood the test of time, and most of them have a fixed recipe. However, that doesn't mean you can't play around with its ingredients to enhance the cocktail's flavour.
This Chinese New Year, Johnnie Walker wants to encourage you to take these classic cocktails to the next level with their signature whiskies and some festive flavours.
1. Rob Roy with maple syrup and bacon
The Rob Roy is sometimes nicknamed the Scotch Manhattan as both cocktails contain the same ingredients, except that the Manhattan is made using rye whiskey while the Rob Roy is made using Scotch. Add some maple syrup and bacon for some Chinese New Year flavour.
Recommended whisky: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, for its rich honey sweetness.
Full recipe here (use Scotch instead of rye for a Rob Roy).
2. Mint Julep with mandarin oranges
This zesty take on the traditional Mint Julep is something we really want to try. All you need to do is add some mandarin orange juice to the classic cocktail mix, mix well, then pour it over crushed ice.
Recommended whisky: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, for its nutty and fruity taste.
Full recipe here.
3. Whisky Highball with Lapsang Souchong tea and oranges
The Whisky Highball is another classic serve that you can experiment with to bring its taste to the next level. Pair it with the Chinese smoked tea, Lapsang Souchong, and some orange juice for a smoky and zesty taste.
Recommended whisky: John Walker & Sons XR 21, for its long, smooth, and soothing finish.
Full recipe here.
4. Whisky Dry with pineapple
Ginger ale has always been a popular mixer to go with whisky. You can enhance the taste of this simple serve by adding some pineapple juice to it, reminiscent of the popular Chinese New Year snack - buttery pineapple tarts.
Recommended whisky: John Walker & Sons XR 21, for some citrus zest and hint of smokiness.
Full recipe here.
5. Whisky Sour with pineapples
This classic cocktail is made with ingredients you can easily find anywhere: sugar and lemon juice. Put a Chinese New Year twist to it by adding some pineapple juice to the cocktail.
Recommended whisky: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, for its fruity and honeyed tones.
Full recipe here.
6. Hot Toddy with oolong tea
Not to be confused with the local toddy made from fermented palm tree sap, hot toddy is a classic hot alcoholic drink that's great for cold weathers. Instead of just mixing the traditional honey and Scotch together with hot water, substitute the latter with a hot pot of concentrated oolong tea of your choice.
Recommended whisky: Johnnie Walker Gold Label, for its sweet and gentle smokiness.
Full recipe here.
7. Whisky Mac with lychee
A Whisky Mac tastes great whether it's served hot or cold. After you've mixed Scotch and ginger wine together, add in some lychee liqueur for some Chinese New Year flavour. You can also garnish it with the fruit.
Recommended whisky: Johnnie Walker Black Label, for a good balance of smokiness and fruitiness.
Full recipe here.
8. Old Fashioned with mandarin oranges
The Old Fashioned usually uses lemon or orange peel as garnish. Take it a step further by substituting that with mandarin orange slices, then add some of its syrup into the cocktail for a more festive twist.
Recommended whisky: Johnnie Walker Black Label, for its zesty and spicy finish.
Full recipe here.
9. Whisky and Coke with peanuts
It's quite common to use Coca Cola as a mixer to go with whisky. For Chinese New Year, try sticking some peanuts on the rim of your glass. It's unconventional, but it might work ;)
Recommended whisky: Johnnie Walker Black Label, for a smooth and smoky finish.
Full recipe here.
Bonus mention: The Dragon Dance by Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker has also created a special cocktail for this festive season, aptly named the Dragon Dance. All you need are some mint leaves, sugar syrup, and your favourite Johnnie Walker whisky to make this.
Recommended whiskies: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, John Walker & Sons XR 21, Johnnie Walker Black Label, or Johnnie Walker Gold Label.
Pair your favourite Johnnie Walker whisky with Chinese New Year flavours this year
Try making one of these easy cocktails to enjoy and impress your relatives this Chinese New Year with your favourite Johnnie Walker whisky: the spicy Red Label, or the smooth and rich Blue Label.
Making cocktails isn't tough, feel free to play around with the flavours you like and you might even be able to improve its taste. Make one as a gift to someone who walks with you this Chinese New Year.