A Food Fun Travel Guest Post
Have you purchased or been gifted a bottle of scotch whiskey and aren’t sure of the best way to drink it? You aren’t alone! We are frequently asked about the best mixers or pairings for scotch whiskey, and we are here to enhance your drink and ensure you get the best glass of scotch whiskey every time. There are many ways you can drink scotch whiskey, including sipping it or adding it to your favourite whiskey-based cocktail. We have the 6 best ways you can drink scotch whiskies detailed below to help you find the perfect drink today.
- Drink it neat
Perhaps one of the most popular options for scotch whiskey is to drink it neat. Scotch whiskey is designed to be sipped without needing to add anything to it, allowing you to enjoy all of the flavours. If you have never drunk scotch before, you might find that the taste burns your throat or is too much for you to drink without a mixer. We recommend that you start with small sips or gradually work up to drinking it neat if needed.
- Add a splash of water
For those who find drinking it neat isn’t right for them, you can add a splash of water. Adding a splash of water will diminish the burn, making it more enjoyable for you to sip. Adding water will also open up the complex flavours and aromas in scotch whiskey, allowing you to experience the full flavours in the scotch.
If you don’t want to add water to the scotch, you can have a separate glass of water, which can be sipped in between tastes. This helps to cleanse your palate and makes it easier for you to notice different flavours in the scotch. It can also reduce the whiskey burn, making the drink more enjoyable.
- Drink it on the rocks
Another popular way to drink scotch is on the rocks, which means pouring your scotch over a generous serving of ice. For those who don’t want to dilute the flavour with the melting ice, a single cube can be added, and those who want to chill the drink can add more. If you have never drunk scotch before, we recommend trying it at room temperature first, as this allows you to see if you would prefer it chilled or not.
If you want a chilled scotch without the ice melting and diluting the taste, we recommend using whiskey stones. Whiskey stones are made from soapstone or stainless steel and placed in your freezer to chill. They are then added to the scotch to chill the drink, and you don’t need to worry about them melting or impacting the flavour.
- Add it to a whiskey cocktail
If you are looking for more uses for your scotch, you can add it to a whiskey cocktail, giving you a long and enjoyable drink. There are lots of whiskey cocktails you can try and enjoy, but these are some of our favourites:
- Rob Roy – is a twist on the Manhattan and combines scotch with vermouth and some bitters. Mix and stir with ice before straining into a chilled glass
- Whiskey sour – is a timeless cocktail to enjoy. Pair scotch whiskey with lemon juice, egg white, and pure cane syrup. Shake with ice to create an intense flavour and a refreshing drink
- Scotch whiskey highball – is a lighter and refreshing cocktail using ginger ale or soda water mixed with scotch over ice. To add a tang, serve with a wedge of lime
- Mix up your pairings
Scotch is meant to be enjoyed with food, and you can mix up your pairings to enhance different flavours in the scotch. One of the most popular pairings is whisky and cheese, where your scotch is paired with creamy cheeses like camembert or brie. You can also use strong cheeses like blue cheese or mature cheddar to enjoy different flavours from the scotch.
You can also pair whiskey with chocolate. We recommend using butter chocolate with notes of smoke, spices, or coffee to enhance the flavours in the scotch. You can also pair scotch with salmon or oysters, where the saltiness of the seafood works well with the flavours in your scotch, especially if you opt for a light-peated scotch.
- Add it to food
Finally, you can add scotch to your food to enhance the flavours and create a rich and woody dish. There are a few ways that you can incorporate scotch into your cooking, including:
- Beef stew – where scotch will create a hearty and flavourful stew, mixing with soft beef and root vegetables
- Whiskey-lazed ribs or chicken – scotch will add a caramelized glaze when mixed with brown sugar, chilli, and mustard
- Whiskey-infused chocolate truffles – add scotch to the truffle filling to enhance the smooth and rich taste of your chocolate
Find your new scotch whiskey to enjoy today
Now that you have a list of fun ways to drink your scotch, it is time to find your perfect bottle. When it comes to buying scotch, we recommend checking out The Whiskey Club. Their subscriptions ensure the perfect bottle delivered every month, or you can purchase one-off bottles from them, including some of the best limited-edition scotch whiskies. Head to their site to find your new scotch today!
