Whiskey and Seasonal Mixology: Crafting Drinks for Every Occasion
By Laura Schaefer
Do you love whiskey? Are you looking for a new way to enjoy your favorite spirit? Or are you new to the whiskey world? Either way, look no further than Standard Proof Whiskey Co. for seasonal mixology and whiskey-based cocktails for any occasion. Here at Standard Proof Whiskey Co., we believe that our fine-crafted, naturally infused whiskey is the perfect reward for, well…pretty much anything! A job well done, a tough day, a long week at work or your best day at work. Imagine meeting up with friends for some great conversation at one of our artfully designed Tasting Rooms while sipping a delicious whiskey cocktail. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect beginning to an enjoyable evening or the perfect ending to a long day? We agree!
What’s So Great About Whiskey?
Let’s start with the basics… What is Whiskey?
If you fancy yourself as a whiskey connoisseur, feel free to jump down to the next paragraph. But, in case you’re a true newbie, let’s start here: Whiskey is an alcoholic liquor made from a “mash” of fermented grains. It’s typically aged in barrels. The types of grains vary but may include corn, rye, wheat, and barley. The amount of time the liquor is aged before bottling will vary as well. You may also have heard of whiskey referred to as bourbon, scotch, rye, and Irish whiskey. There's even Tennessee whiskey.
There are various reasons for the different categories. But the difference between them is in the ingredients, how they are made, and where they are made.[1] Did you know that whiskey has been around since 1000 A.D.? [2] And it has become very popular today for many reasons. Whiskey fans have been bragging about its benefits for decades. In fact, whiskey:
has more antioxidants than red wine
is lower in sugar and calories than most other spirits
can kill bacteria that can make you sick.[3]
And if that isn’t enough, read on for more reasons to stock up on whiskey for your next get-together.
Whiskey: The Ultimate Base For Irresistible Seasonal Cocktails
Whiskey is a great base for many cocktails. You can complement it with fresh, interesting ingredients. This makes whiskey one of the most widely used liquors in mixology. You will see that with whiskey as your base, you can create the most tasty and tantalizing seasonal combinations.
High-quality whiskey is perfect for pairing with a variety of ingredients, from warm spices in the winter to fresh fruits in the summer.
With a few simple techniques and quality ingredients, you can make a range of seasonal whiskey cocktails that will delight your taste buds and impress your party guests. Using seasonal ingredients in your whiskey cocktails, you can create unique and delicious drinks that perfectly complement the time of year.
But, if you’re not ready to host your friends for a cocktail party yet, just bring them to the Tasting Room at the Standard Proof Whiskey Co. There, they can sample one of seven types of craft whiskeys. These whiskeys are naturally infused and made on-site in our high-tech micro-distillery.
Now that you have a basic understanding of whiskey and why it's so popular, let’s move on to how you can create delicious cocktails with it for every season.
Demystify the Art of Mixology and Never Drink Alone
If you’ve never mixed a drink in your life, don’t worry about it. Mixology can be learned. Simply put, mixology is the art or skill of preparing mixed drinks, and a person with that skill is called a mixologist. Seasonal mixology is the art of crafting mixed drinks to complement a particular season of the year. So why is seasonal mixology important? Well, for starters, did you know that the changing seasons can greatly influence a person's cocktail preferences? For example, in the summer, a whopping 79% of consumers look for more refreshing cocktails to cool down.[4] Not surprisingly, iced cocktails dominate too with 57% of people choosing them compared to just 17% in the colder season.[5]
Plus, people often gravitate towards different tastes and ingredients at different times of the year. Why not enjoy something cool and fruity, like a Desert Ruby, in the spring or summer? Or have an Espresso Martini with dinner in the fall? Both of these delicious options taste best when made with Standard Proof Whiskey. But you can try them for yourself by coming to the bar or one of our Tasting Rooms in either Nashville, TN, or Austin, TX.
In a nutshell, seasonal mixology adds change and excitement to a menu, which customers love to see when they go to their favorite bar or restaurant. It creates a buzz amongst your guests whether you’re hosting at home or running a Tasting Room like at Standard Proof Whiskey Co. of Nashville or Austin. But to get it right, you need the right person for the job and that’s where the bartender comes in.
Does Your Bartender Make the Mixology Cut?
A true mixologist specializes in creating and serving various mixed drinks or cocktails. Not all bartenders specialize in mixology. Some focus on serving beer and common mixed drinks while being social and engaging with customers. A mixologist, on the other hand, is usually a bartender who’s taken their training a step further to learn the art or skill of mixology. They may end up working in a high-end job, like a nightclub or quality hotel bar. Or, they may work at that bar or restaurant that you like to frequent.
But, you don't have to undergo extensive training to learn how to make great whiskey cocktails. If you’re hosting a get-together and want to show off some mixology skills, there are many classes available. You can learn to craft new whiskey drinks for your guests in just one 90-minute session. Specifically, Standard Proof Whiskey Co. offers cocktail classes in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX which you can take:
on your own 💪😁
on a date 🥰❤️
with friends 😄😁😊
for a birthday party 🎂
for a bachelor or bachelorette party 🎉👰🤵
just because it will be fun! 🤩
Now, let's talk about which ingredients make some popular whiskey cocktails special.
Have You Tried These 4 Sensational Whiskey Cocktails?
In the winter months when a warm drink is especially enticing, a Hot Toddy is a long-standing favorite for many.
1. Hot Toddy
A Hot Toddy is made with whiskey, honey, lemon, and warming spices. Believe it or not, it has been reported that Hot Toddies are supposedly good at helping reduce cold symptoms but since that’s not a medical fact you’d have to test that one out for yourself.[6] If nothing else, the warmth of the drink combined with the lemon and honey will certainly be soothing on the way down.
2. Whiskey Sour
We can welcome Spring with a Whiskey Sour featuring fresh strawberries for a touch of sweetness. The Whiskey Sour has been around since 1870 so there are bound to be several variations of it but it’s typically made with bourbon.[7] In addition, the traditional whiskey sour has lemon juice, sugar and egg white, which gives it that wonderfully fluffy froth on top.[8] Nowadays, however, most bars will do without the egg white. Regardless, a touch of sweetness with fresh fruit like strawberries and/or kiwi adds a delicious twist to this fan-favorite cocktail.
3. Whiskey Iced Tea
In the summer a delicious Whiskey Iced Tea is a favorite refresher that is perfect for cooling off on a hot day. This whiskey delight is infused with lemon and mint. But, you can take it a step further and add an orange slice for more flavor.
4. Whiskey Apple Cider
And finally, in the fall, you can’t beat the Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail. This tasty drink embraces the flavors of fall by adding local apple cider and warming spices like ginger and cinnamon. To add sweetness, use a bit of light brown sugar. Balance it with fresh lemon juice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange rind. Then, you’re good to go! [9]
Now you have a sampling of whiskey cocktails to craft for each season. But that isn’t the end of this new frontier for you. Let’s talk about how to keep things fresh and interesting going forward.
How Can I Make Delicious Whiskey-Based Cocktails This Season?
Be daring and don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonal ingredients. If you fancy yourself as a beginner mixologist, be bold and think about which flavors would compliment your favorite whiskey. We already mentioned strawberry in our whiskey sour recipe above. How about cranberry or watermelon for a spring or summer refresher?
A Manhattan is another familiar whiskey cocktail that is made with rye, vermouth, and bitters. But, what about adding a flavored whiskey like Arabica Coffee Whiskey from Standard Proof Whiskey Co.?? That may be a flavor you never considered before but there’s no time like the present to try something new.
More importantly, use quality ingredients in your creations starting with the whiskey. Standard Proof Whiskey Co. infuses their high-quality whiskey with natural ingredients. This ensures you get the best flavor every time.
What if the thrill of mixing ingredients with good whiskey has gotten your attention but you’re still unsure about your mixing skills? Help is just one cocktail class away! In a Standard Proof Whiskey Co. cocktail class, you will learn to mind the balance of flavors. This skill will teach you to make cocktails with confidence, no matter what the occasion.
Are You Ready To Craft Some Outstanding Whiskey Cocktails?
Are you ready to start creating your seasonal whiskey cocktails? Remember to try different ingredients. Use only quality spirits, like Standard Proof Whiskey, and strive for a perfect flavor balance. With a little creativity and a lot of passion, you'll be a master of whiskey and seasonal mixology in no time.
But an even better idea is to join us at the Standard Proof Whiskey Co. Tasting Room in either Nashville, TN or Austin, TX, where we are waiting to help you unwind and share a glass of our high-quality, freshly-distilled whiskey. See you soon!! 🥳
Sources:
[1] https://whiskeyraiders.com/guides/whiskey-faqs/how-is-whiskey-made-the-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-distilling-aging-and-beyond/
[2] https://iowalegendaryrye.com/the-history-of-whiskey/
[4] https://cgastrategy.com/seasonality-shaking-up-cocktail-trends-in-the-us-on-premise/#:~:text=In%20the%20summer%2C%20a%20substantial,when%20in%20the%20On%20Premise.
[5] https://cgastrategy.com/seasonality-shaking-up-cocktail-trends-in-the-us-on-premise/#:~:text=In%20the%20summer%2C%20a%20substantial,when%20in%20the%20On%20Premise.
[6] https://cookieandkate.com/classic-hot-toddy-recipe/#:~:text=Hot%20toddies%20are%20reported%20to,the%2Dcounter%20and%20prescription%20medications.
[7] https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/whiskey-sour-recipe/
[8] https://www.liquor.com/recipes/whiskey-sour/
[9] https://inspiredbycharm.com/apple-cider-whiskey-sour/
Author bio:
Laura Schaefer
My name is Laura Schaefer and I am the CEO of Schaefer Copywriting, based in Westbury, New York. I am a licensed attorney with work experience in real estate, government, communications, hospitality and health and wellness. My love of writing led me to create Schaefer Copywriting where I get to use the power of words to help launch new businesses and strengthen existing ones. Although I love all forms of content creation, my focus is on blogs, website copy, social media and sales and marketing content.