Mixing it Up: 5 Unique Cocktails to Make with Lesser-Known American Whiskeys

Mixing it Up: 5 Unique Cocktails to Make with Lesser-Known American Whiskeys

Are you tired of making the same old cocktails with the same old whiskeys? It's time to mix it up! In this post, we'll introduce you to some lesser-known American whiskeys and show you how to use them to create unique and delicious cocktails.

1. Balcones Brimstone Smoked Whiskey Margarita

Balcones Distilling is known for producing some of the finest whiskeys in America. One of their lesser-known gems is the Brimstone Smoked Whiskey, which has a unique smoky flavor. When combined with the classic ingredients of a margarita (tequila, lime, and Cointreau), it creates a delicious and unique cocktail that is sure to impress your guests.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 oz Balcones Brimstone Smoked Whiskey
• 1 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• ½ oz Cointreau
• Salt (for garnish)

Fill a shaker with ice, add all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain the mixture into a salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

2. Michter's Rye Sour

Michter's is a distillery in Louisville, KY that produces a range of different whiskeys, including a rye whiskey that is perfect for mixing into cocktails. This rye sour recipe is a unique twist on a classic whiskey sour, and it's sure to impress your guests.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 oz Michter's Rye Whiskey
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 oz Simple Syrup
• ½ oz Egg White

Fill a shaker with ice, add all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain the mixture into a glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.

3. Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned

Uncle Nearest is a Tennessee-based distillery that produces a unique whiskey made from the same recipe that was used by the first-known African American master distiller, Nathan "Nearest" Green. Mixing this whiskey into an old fashioned creates a unique and delicious cocktail that pays tribute to its historical roots.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 oz Uncle Nearest Whiskey
• 1 Sugar Cube
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 Orange Slice
• 1 Cherry

Place the sugar cube in a glass and add the bitters. Muddle these together until the sugar is dissolved. Add ice, then pour the Uncle Nearest into the glass and give it a stir. Add an orange slice and a cherry as garnish.

4. Westward Whiskey Collins

Westward Whiskey is made by a distillery out of Portland, OR, and it's a lesser-known whiskey brand that deserves more recognition. Mixing it into a classic Collins creates a unique and refreshing cocktail that's perfect for summer sipping.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 oz Westward Whiskey
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• ½ oz Simple Syrup
• Soda Water

Fill a shaker with ice, add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and shake until cold. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

5. High West Campfire Mule

High West Distillery is based out of Park City, UT, and offers a variety of unique whiskeys. Their Campfire Whiskey is a blend of Scotch, bourbon, and rye, which creates a unique flavor profile that's perfect for mixing into cocktails. Using it in a Moscow Mule creates a unique and delicious twist on the classic cocktail.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 oz High West Campfire Whiskey
• ½ oz Lime Juice
• Ginger Beer

Fill a shaker with ice, add whiskey and lime juice, and shake until cold. Strain the mixture into a Moscow Mule mug filled with ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wheel.

These five unique cocktails are sure to impress your guests and expand your palate. So go ahead and mix it up with these lesser-known American whiskeys and create a memorable cocktail experience.