11 of the best whisky cocktail recipes to make this spring
Grab your sunnies and put away your woolly hat… spring is just around the corner. As the days get brighter we’re looking forward to celebrating a new season. And what better way than with a cocktail in hand?
Put a spring in your step with our favourite floral and fruity drinks to help you welcome the arrival of warmer weather. Each made with delicately smooth and spicy scotch to delight your palate. Here are the best spring whisky cocktails.
Read more: discover our collection of Easter whisky drinks to try this spring.
Whisky Julep
Enjoy a sunny spring evening with a glass of Whisky Julep. This simple yet satisfying drink combines muddled mint leaves with your go to The Glenlivet whisky to create some serious freshness. Add your favourite flavours for extra zing… berries, citrus fruit or spicy ginger, the choice is yours.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve Whisky
|
60 ml |
Fresh Red Apple Juice
|
30 ml |
Green Cardamom Syrup
|
15 ml |
Poire William
|
7.5 ml |
Mint for Garnish
|
|
Cardamom pods for Garnish
|
METHOD
- Build and churn in a julep tin.
- Garnish with mint sprigs and cardamom pods.
Morning Glory Fizz
Get peachy with a Morning Glory Fizz, a fun, fruity cocktail with a prominent sweetness. This recipe is perfect for cocktail drinkers who want to impress a crowd. Simply flex the recipe to your individual taste and enjoy the drink as you wish.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve Whisky
|
50 ml |
Lemon
|
20 ml |
Egg White
|
20 ml |
Simple Syrup
|
10 ml |
Crème de Peche
|
15 ml |
Peach Eau de Vie
|
5 ml |
Absinthe
|
3 dashes |
Soda Water
|
METHOD
- Dry shake, shake and strain into a highball glass.
- Top with soda water.
Blackberry Whisky Sour
Our Blackberry Sour recipe is a sweet and tangy twist on the classic whisky sour, perfect for spring soirees. Juicy blackberries add a touch of sweetness, contrasting brilliantly with tart lemon.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
|
50 ml |
Blackberries
|
3 |
Lemon Juice
|
25 ml |
Sugar Syrup
|
15 ml |
Egg White or Aquafaba
|
15 ml |
METHOD
- Add all ingredients into a shaker, shake without ice.
- Add ice and shake a second time.
- Pour over ice, garnish and serve.
Paper Plane
Spring calls for all the citrusy flavours. And this drink is seriously zesty. The Paper Plane cocktail is relatively new to the scene but is now a staple on many menus. We’ve created our own take with scotch, Aperol and herbal liqueur, topped with a good serving of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
|
25 ml |
Aperol
|
25 ml |
Amaro
|
25 ml |
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
|
25 ml |
|
METHOD
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with Cubed Ice.
- Shake.
- Double Strain into a chilled Coupe.
- Garnish with Orange Zest.
- Serve.
Small Voice of Calm
Another drink packed with citrus punch is our very own creation, Small Voice of Calm. This whisky lemon cocktail is wonderfully easy-going made with gently floral chamomile and a zip of lemon juice to spritz up your spring. Garnished with camomile flowers, it’s almost too pretty to drink.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
|
50 ml |
Chamomile Tea Syrup
|
25 ml |
Lemon Juice
|
10 ml |
Soda Water
|
100 ml |
Lemon Wedge for Garnish
|
|
|
|
Dried Camomile Flowers (for the Syrup)
|
10 g |
Caster Sugar (for the Syrup)
|
300 g |
METHOD
- Pour the whisky, lemon juice and syrup into a cocktail shaker and lightly shake to mix the ingredients.
- Strain over cubed ice in a short glass and top up with chilled soda water.
- Garnish with chamomile flowers or a wedge of lemon.
Whisky Smash
The Whisky Smash is a timeless cocktail, perfect for a warm spring afternoon in the sunshine. This drink blends fresh lemon, sugar and aromatic mint with smooth scotch whisky for a harmonious balance of flavours. If you’re looking to add a personal touch to this classic recipe, check out our curated list of the best variations on the Whisky Smash. Whether you prefer a fruity twist or a touch of spice, these options are sure to delight.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
|
60 ml |
Lemon Juice
|
25 ml |
Sugar Syrup
|
15 ml |
Mint Leaves
|
8 |
METHOD
- Add all ingredients (including Mint Leaves) to a cocktail shaker with Cubed Ice.
- Shake.
- Double Strain into Rocks Glass over Cubed Ice.
- Garnish with a Sprig of Mint.
- Serve.
Whisky Mule
Nothing is quite as refreshing on a spring day than a ginger beer. Unless it’s a Whisky Mule of course. This spicy, smooth cocktail is both light and warming thanks to the fiery ginger and lime combination. Simple to make, it’s perfect for garden gatherings when you have a crowd to please.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
|
60 ml |
Lime Juice
|
15 ml |
Sugar Syrup
|
10 ml |
Ginger Beer
|
METHOD
- Add 60ml of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve whisky, 15ml of lime juice and 10ml sugar syrup into a copper mule mug over cubed ice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir lightly.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint.
- Serve.
Elderflower Collins
Elderflower is the essence of spring. So why not make a drink out of it? With its light bubbles and delicate floral flavour, the Elderflower Collins is perfect for sipping with friends. Whether you’re enjoying a day at the park or hosting an outdoor garden party, make sure to have this recipe handy.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
|
50 ml |
Elderflower Cordial
|
10 ml |
Lemon Juice
|
5 ml |
Soda
|
Top up with |
METHOD
- Build in glass.
- Garnish with cucumber ribbon.
Grapefruit Paloma
The Grapefruit Paloma is a hit with those who love tangy, citrusy flavours. This whisky cocktail blends fresh grapefruit juice, lime, and smooth scotch for a balanced taste that’s both bitter and sweet. Whether you’re looking for a new twist on a classic whisky drink or just want to try something new, the Grapefruit Paloma is a perfect choice.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
|
50 ml |
Grapefruit Juice
|
45 ml |
Lime Juice
|
10 ml |
Sugar Syrup
|
15 ml |
METHOD
- Shake the Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, grapefruit juice, lime juice and sugar syrup together.
- Strain into highball filled with ice and top with soda water.
- Garnish with grapefruit wedge.
Peach Old Fashioned
Put a fruity twist on a classic cocktail with the Peach Old Fashioned. The spring inspired recipe blends the flavours of peach and elderflower with The Glenlivet whisky to create a balanced drink you’ll go back to again and again. Serve up to friends and family to guarantee a few impressed eyebrow raises.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Whisky
|
50 ml |
Elderflower Cordial
|
10 ml |
Peach Bitters
|
3 dashes |
METHOD
- Add ingredients to mixing glass.
- Stir down over ice.
- Serve over ice in a rocks glass.
- Garnish with peach slice.
Cold Toddy
Who said toddies were a winter drink? This icey version is an excellent sipper for spring evenings when you still want those classic warming flavours of seasons past. Make your Cold Toddy with lemon, honey, apple cider and a generous dash of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old.
COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR 1 SERVE
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients | Unit |
---|---|
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
|
40 ml |
Lemon Juice
|
15 ml |
Honey
|
15 ml |
Apple Cider
|
80 ml |
Grated Cinnamon, Cayenne, and Lemon Wheel (for Garnish)
|
METHOD
- Combine all ingredients in a mug.
- Serve hot or chilled.
- Garnish with grated cinnamon, dusting of cayenne, lemon wheel.
Get more recipes to make this spring with our array of whisky cocktails featuring The Glenlivet. From fresh flavours to strong and spicy, there’s a drink for everyone. You’ll also find out favourite picnic drink ideas as well as our guide to growing your own cocktail herb garden.