With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, our thoughts are turning to drink. Whether that’s to drown our sorrows, or to celebrate with a loved one, this year we’re putting a twist on our Valentine’s Day drinks and looking to Irish whiskey cocktails. While we’d always suggest drinking a whiskey from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. neat, with just a few drops of water expertly delivered from one of our Precision Pipettes, the spirit does make a warming base for a number of whiskey cocktails.
Whether you’re raising a toast for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or simply to mark the end of the weekend, an Irish whiskey cocktail is an aperitif to warm the heart. We’ve gathered a few that showcase our favourite spirit, with a romantic twist that make them ideal as a Valentine’s Day cocktail.
While the complex, finely balanced notes of a whiskey from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. may be best appreciated neat, our friends at The Three Drinkers were able to create a cocktail to showcase the flavours of our latest release, The Taoscán, with Aidy arguing that it’s all about finding the perfect balance to let the whiskey shine through.
So whether you opt for a blended whiskey or one of our single malts, these Irish Whiskey Cocktails will get the evening off to a roaring start, or finish it in style with a nightcap.
Irish Manhattan
First up, an Irish Manhattan. There may not be rose petals, but the cherry garnish is a nod to romance, without the smaltz.
50 ml Blended Irish Whiskey
15ml Sweet Vermouth
5ml Maraschino Liqueur
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Maraschino Cherry
Fresh orange
Steps
Stir the whiskey, vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Angostura over ice.
Strain and pour into a chilled coupe class.
Zest an orange twist over the drink and drop into glass.
Garnish with Maraschino cherry.
Hearn
Created by New York bartender, Jack McGarry, the Hearn is a twist on the Irish classic, the Tipperary. Its rosy hue adds just a hint of romance, while the ingredients pack a punch that will rouse even the most jaded of spirits.
45ml Irish Single malt
45ml Sweet Vermouth
15ml Green Chartreuse
2 dashes absinthe
4 dashes Orinoco Bitters
2 dashes orange bitters
Orange twist
Steps
Stir the Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, Green Chartreuse, bitters and absinthe in a glass with ice.
Strain and pour into a chilled glass.
Twist a slice of orange peel above the cocktail to release the oils and serve.
Frisky Whiskey
25 ml Irish Whiskey
At the risk of sounding risqué, we couldn’t leave the Frisky Whiskey off our list of Irish Whiskey cocktails for Valentine’s Day! This sweet and fruity cocktail was created by Allen Katz, and its mix of honey, orange and whiskey are sure to warm the heart.
25 ml Honey Liqueur
25ml Orange Juice,
Simple Syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Steps
Add the whiskey, honey liqueur, orange juice and syrup to a mixing glass and top with ice.
Add the bitters and shake for 30 seconds.
Strain and serve in a chilled martini glass.
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