What to Mix with Whiskey if You're Not a Neat Sipper

Although many a connoisseur will tell you that good whiskey should be enjoyed either neat or on the rocks, there’s also a lot to be said for the benefit of introducing some additional flavours. In this post, we’ll talk about what to mix with whiskey if you’re not particularly fond of a neat dram. Sipping neat whiskey is somewhat of an acquired taste and it takes some getting used to before you can really appreciate the various flavours and characteristics of a straight spirit. If you’re someone who likes whiskey but would rather enjoy it with your favourite soft drink or another mixer, you’re not alone. In fact, whiskey is the base spirit of many of the world’s most popular cocktails, as well as a few simple classics that allow both the spirit and the mixer to complement each other perfectly. Below, you’ll find a few simple yet flavoursome drink ideas if you’re unsure what to mix with whiskey.

Ginger Ale

A Whiskey Ginger is a classic concoction among casual drinkers as well as whiskey connoisseurs. Sweet and spicy ginger ale makes a fine mixer for the brown spirit, as it not only blends well with bourbon, scotch and Irish whiskey, but it’s also especially easy to drink down.

Lemonade

Sweet and tangy lemonade is one of the most refreshing things to drink when summertime comes around. But why not drop in a few shots of bourbon and turn a childhood favourite into an adult summer barbecue staple? Just put some ice in your favourite glass, pour in two measures of whiskey and top it up with lemonade. For something a bit extra, you can also muddle in some fruit — blueberries and blackberries work best to release an abundance of flavours.

Soda Water

Although there’s no doubt that whiskey gingers and other sweet and fizzy mixers taste great, they tend to dominate the overall flavour and cover up the more intricate characteristics of more nuanced bottlings. If you’re wondering what to mix with whiskey, soda water is an effective alternative, as its neutral flavour ensures that you’ll really be able to taste your chosen whiskey. Of course, you’ll also benefit from fewer calories and zero sugar by opting for this mixer.  

Sweet Vermouth

Vermouth is a fortified wine flavoured with a variety of botanicals — including flowers, seeds, herbs and spices. With such a vast range of both dry and sweet aromatic wines on the market, shopping for the ideal vermouth can be daunting. Once you’ve found a bottle that suits your needs, it’s time for the fun part — simply mix your choice of whiskey and vermouth (at a ratio of two parts whiskey to one part vermouth), add a few dashes of bitters and voila — say hello to your homemade Manhattan.

Apple Cider

Freshly pressed apple cider may not be the first mixer that springs to mind, but it’s definitely one of the most diverse and delicious. The zesty juice does a great job of enhancing the whiskey’s oaky notes and complements its sweetness. While many choose to heat the apple cider to make a comforting hot-tail, the combination of whiskey and appley goodness also tastes amazing when served with ice on warmer days.

Coffee

The breakfast of champions, you can’t beat a piping-hot cup of coffee — unless you add a measure of whiskey to boot. While an Irish Coffee — which contains simple syrup and whipped cream — is probably the most well-known, it’s always fun to explore different whiskies and ingredients to create the perfect caffeinated concoction to suit your needs. Some add a little bit of honey, while others choose to add a small amount of hot chocolate — the choices are endless