The pandemic has sucked out all sorts of fun from our lives, and that includes our weekend drinking sessions. Even for the small wins that you achieve on a random day, you couldn’t just say “tara shot sa labas, libre ko” anymore. There’s even a curfew imposed for buying alcoholic drinks. So if someone has become so uhaw of alak these days, we get the feels.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways how to have our own version of fun. With online selling becoming a major means of trade these days, buying the ingredients for your drink mix is just a few taps away. One of the popular spirits that’s easy to mix with other beverages is whiskey. This distilled spirit made from malted grain just goes perfectly with sodas, juice, and other fruits.
So if you’re still bummed out about not hitting the bars, here are 8 good reasons for you to stay at home and celebrate your little wins with the easiest do-it-yourself whiskey concoctions!
Monkey Colada
First on our list is a cocktail that’s so easy to mix. The main ingredient here is the Scottish blended malt whiskey from Monkey Shoulder. (No monkeys harmed for this spirit — the brand actually got its name from the spasm that bartenders feel in their shoulders after long hours of mixing drinks.)
This free-spirited mix is your “perfect antidote to summertime sadness” as it plays around the tropical flavors of pineapple and it’s so easy to mix, you can do it in your makeshift bar.
Ingredients:
- 40 mL Monkey Shoulder
- 20 mL Koko Kanu (Coconut Rum)
- 60 mL coconut water
- 10 mL fresh lime juice
- 2 fresh-cut pineapple rings
- dash of sugar syrup
How to mix:
Just put all the ingredients in a blender. Blend it until the texture becomes smooth. Once it’s done, top it with pineapple leaf and pineapple chunk for a little tropical accent. And voila, it feels like you’re on a tropical island!
This procedure is good for those who are willing to be hands-on. But if you want to save yourself from the hassle, the good thing is you can also find Monkey Shoulder’s Monkey Colada mix in supermarkets near you!
Whiskey and Cola
This mix is perhaps the easiest of all. We don’t even have to put an ingredients list for this drink — it’s just whiskey and cola–there you go. The only thing you need to keep in mind here is to keep the whiskey-to-cola ratio at 1:4. Perhaps the only thing you can add for a little kick is some lime. Other than that, of course, the usual ice cubes will do because it’s best served when cold.
No shakers needed, just a little mixing, and you have a simple yet classic party drink!
Manhattan
Named after the popular landmark in New York City, the Manhattan has that perfect balance between bitter and sweet. But don’t be fooled by its delicious taste, too much of these could get you knocked out. Just take it in moderation, and it’ll be your best friend for the night.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of whiskey
- 2 tbsp of sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
How to mix:
Just pour all the ingredients into a container and fill it with ice. Stir vigorously before straining it into the glass.
Irish Coffee
Now let’s stir things up a bit. Coffee lovers, rejoice! Yes, you heard it right, that one beverage you oh so love also goes well with whiskey! This one’s called, Irish coffee mainly because it uses Irish whiskey. After all, the Irish are known for their pubs.
Ingredients:
- 2 2/3 oz hot coffee
- 1 1/3 oz Irish whiskey
- brown sugar (1 tsp)
- 1 oz fresh whip cream
How to mix:
Just pour the hot coffee into the glass, add brown sugar. Make sure to mix it properly until it’s completely dissolved. Add the whiskey, and stir it up again. Now’s the time to add whip cream, but our goal here is to put it as smoothly as possible. To do that, grab a spoon and pour the whipped cream with the spoon facing down at the top of the glass. Voila, your homemade Irish whiskey!
Street whiskey lemonade
Whiskey is really something that would give you a strong aftertaste—and a hangover as well. If you’re not into that hardcore gaming, the street whiskey lemonade is here to neutralize its strong punch.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. whiskey
- 2 oz. triple sec
- 5 oz. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. lime juice
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp. apricot preserves
- 3 oz. tonic water
How to mix:
Pour all the ingredients, except the tonic water, into the container. Put some ice and shake it well. Fill 2 glasses with ice and strain half of the concoction into each glass. Afterward, pour 1/2 ounces of tonic water into each glasses.
Whiskey Sour
For those who have a liking for sour taste, this mix is just for you. Enriched with citrus fruits, whiskey sour balances the strong malty flavor of the whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 whiskey
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup (made of 1:1 ratio of sugar and water)
- orange or cherry slice for garnish
How to mix:
For this one, you have to put the ice first in the cocktail shaker. Then pour the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well. Strain the mixture into an ice-filled glass. Finish it by topping either an orange or cherry garnish.
Boracay
This mix takes inspiration from Baileys Irish cream, a sweet, cream-based Irish whiskey. However, we prefer to use its local counterpart, Boracay, cause we know how much you miss the beach. Aptly named Boracay, this mix is perfect for parties because it’s quite sweet yet it still gives the right level of kick you’d want while grooving.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of brandy
- 1 can of condensed milk
- 3 cups of hot water
- 3/4 pitcher of cold water
- 4 tbsp of coffee
- 6 tbsp of chocolate or malt powder
How to mix:
Put the coffee and chocolate powder into the container and mix them together. Put 3 cups of hot water and mix it thoroughly to dissolve the powder. Add the condensed milk and the brandy. Then, stir it properly while adding 3/4 pitcher of cold water. Serve and enjoy!
Ginger Monkey
We’re ending this list with another signature drink from Monkey Shoulder. The peppery and sweet flavor of the ginger blends well with the citrusy kick of the orange. As the weather continues to become hotter and hotter, this for sure is a perfect thirst-quencher.
Ingredients:
- 50 mL Monkey Shoulder
- 120 mL dry ginger ale (from Monkey Shoulder)
- 1 orange wedge
How to mix:
Prepare a long glass and fill it with ice cubes. Pour in the Monkey Shoulder and dry ginger ale. Stir gently and top it with the orange wedge. Easy-peasy, this whiskey is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Which of these DIY whiskey mixes are you planning to try in your house? Tell us in the comments section!
