Ingredient
Whisky
The classic warm-cocktail spirit — Scotch or Irish whisky, used in toddies and Irish coffee where a little smoke or malt cuts through honey, lemon and cream.
Flavour profile
Whisky is the most quietly competent warm-cocktail spirit there is. It does not demand the spotlight — a measure of Scotch in a toddy or Irish whiskey in a coffee will sit happily under honey, lemon, sugar or cream and keep its character intact. Choose a blended Scotch for a balanced toddy, a soft Irish for coffee, and avoid anything heavily peated unless smoke is what you actually want. Like all spirits, it should go in off the heat so the alcohol and the more delicate notes survive.
Recipes featuring whisky
Hot Toddy
The classic warm whisky cocktail with honey, lemon and spice — soothing, simple and built for cold nights.
Irish Coffee
Hot coffee, Irish whiskey and brown sugar under a float of softly whipped cream — the definitive after-dinner warmer.
Hot Whisky Sour
A warming twist on the classic, with whisky, fresh lemon, honey syrup and hot water finished with cinnamon, no egg required.
Hot Whisky Mac
A warm twist on the British Whisky Mac, with Scotch, Stone's ginger wine and hot water.