Tag: simple Kenyan whiskey cocktail recipes

While some whiskey connoisseurs hold strong opinions on the best way to enjoy this versatile drink, there really are no set rules. 

Whether you want to knock back your whiskey neat, on the rocks or mix it into a simple Kenyan cocktail, don’t let naysayers dictate how you should enjoy your favorite tipple.

You’ll find that mixing your favorite whiskey with other carefully selected ingredients can open up its spicy, smoky or sweet notes while masking the stinging sensation common with neat pours.

We love experimenting here at Tipsy, and after several weeks of mixing and matching different mixers with certain whiskeys, we compiled this list of simple Kenyan whiskey cocktails you can make on a whim.

What Mixes Best with Whiskey?

Before trying your hand at whiskey cocktails, it’s good to first understand which ingredients blend in perfectly when working with whiskey as your base ingredient:

• Coca-Cola: There’s a good reason why whiskey and coke is one ‘ol classic combination. Coke’s tangy flavor and caramel undertones pair perfectly with virtually any type of whiskey, especially after adding a squeeze of lime to the mix.
• Grapefruit Juice: Fresh grapefruit plays center stage in many classic cocktails like the Greyhound. Grapefruit adds a tart, yet sweet taste to the final drink, while the pale pink hues make for a captivating presentation.
• Soda Water: This gives your cocktail some fizzy bubbles and is especially flavorful when mixed with a whiskey featuring fruity and floral notes.
• Ginger: Ginger’s unique sweet and spicy flavor adds a fiery kick to your whiskey cocktails. The best way to mix ginger into a cocktail is by muddling a slice of the peeled rhizome at the bottom of a mixing glass, sieving the extracted juice through a strainer and using it in batch recipes as desired.
• Apple Cider: If you’re a whiskey lover with a sweet tooth, a cider and whiskey combo is a delicious drink you can shake up in both hot and cold recipes.

DIY Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

These cocktails use a combination of locally available ingredients that you can easily find at any market or grocery store near your home.

For the whiskey, you can browse our selection here and pick one that suits your taste preference and budget. 

Some of the recipes we’ve highlighted below are best served shaken or muddled.

You might want first to check out our article on using common kitchen utensils to make cocktails if you don’t have access to a cocktail set.

1. Classic Mint Julep

Nothing feels as light and refreshing as a cool mint julep cocktail. The better the scotch, the better the julep.

So, go for a fine whiskey like the J & B Rare when replicating this recipe at home.

You will need:

• 500 ml Water
• 300 grams sugar
• Half a cup of chopped fresh mint
• A healthy mound of crushed ice
• 1 liter J & B whiskey
• Sprigs of fresh mint for garnishing

Instructions

To make a mint syrup for serving with the cocktail, mix sugar, water and chopped mint in a saucepan and boil over high heat.

Stir occasionally until all the sugar dissolves, approximately 1 to 2 minutes, and set aside to cool. Strain the syrup to separate the mint leaves from the liquid.

Next, fill four glasses with crushed ice and pour 60 ml of whiskey and an equivalent of the mint syrup into each glass. You can add a little more of the syrup for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Stir gently and add a sprig of mint to garnish before serving.

2. Hot Toddy

Just as the name suggests, a Hot Toddy is a sweet and spicy cocktail best enjoyed on a cold, chilly day. Typically crafted using an Irish whiskey and requires only a handful of ingredients to get it right.

The secret to making the best hot toddies is experimenting with different quantities of lemon juice and honey in the recipe. It’s surprising how an extra teaspoon of each can greatly alter the flavor.

You will need:

• 500 ml Water
• 150 ml Whiskey
• 7 teaspoons honey
• Ginger (optional)
• 8 teaspoons lemon juice
• 3 Lemon twists and cinnamon (garnish)

Instructions

Bring the water to a simmer on your stovetop and pour the contents into three mugs. Next, add 50 ml of whiskey, 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice into each mug.

Stir until all the honey dissolves and do a quick taste test. Add some more honey if needed or an extra teaspoon of lemon juice for added zing. Top off with your garnish of choice and enjoy.

3. Brown Derby

The Brown Derby is an old favorite and is well known for its balanced tart and sweet aftertaste. It’s a simple drink that doesn’t call for much and goes down well with a light meal or snacks.

You will need:

• 135 ml Grant’s Whiskey
• 90 ml Fresh grapefruit juice
• 30 ml Maple syrup
• Soda water
• Grapefruit wedge for garnish

Instructions

Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice followed by all the other ingredients, except for the soda water, and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into three glasses and add a dash of soda water before serving for a bubbly finish.

4. Whiskey Mango Lassi

This is our personalized version of the popular Mango Lassi mocktail but with a healthy dose of whiskey instead of the plain yogurt used in the classic recipe. It’s perfect for building up a healthy appetite before any meal when taken in moderation.

You will need:

• 250 ml Ballantine’s Finest Whiskey
• 600 ml Mango juice
• 100 ml Lime juice
• Twist of lemon and mango cubes for garnish

Instructions

Stuff all your ingredients in a shaker, add a handful of ice and shake. Strain over ice into five glasses and garnish with a twist of lemon.