Cutty Sark 17-Year-Old: A Voyage into Opulent Depths

Cutty Sark 17-Year-Old The Three Drinkers

Some whiskies tell their story quietly. Cutty Sark, however, has never been one to whisper. Born from a spirit of rebellion and discovery, this seafaring Scotch has just unveiled a release that perfectly captures its century-old DNA: the Cutty Sark 17-Year-Old. It’s bold, it’s refined, and it’s ready to take connoisseurs on a flavour journey across uncharted waters.

A Whisky Rooted in Adventure

Cutty Sark’s legacy has always been defined by its daring origins. Launched in 1923, right in the middle of Prohibition, the brand was never content to play it safe. Smuggled into cocktail bars and adored by those who valued smoothness over smoke, it built a reputation as the whisky for rule-breakers with taste.

Now, 102 years later, that same spirit resurfaces in a whisky that quite literally sets sail into richer flavour territory. The 17-Year-Old expression is a nod to both heritage and innovation, crafted for the kind of drinker who sees a dram not as an end, but an invitation to explore.

How Is Cutty Sark 17 Made?

This isn’t your average blend. The 17-Year-Old marries whiskies matured in three distinct cask types, each contributing its own personality.

  • Highland and Speyside single malts matured in sherry and port casks lend depth, fruit, and complexity.

  • Lowland grain whisky aged in first-fill bourbon barrels brings creaminess and balance.

  • Seventeen years of patience tie it all together, allowing oak, fruit, and spice to harmonise into something remarkably smooth.

Cutty Sark 17-Year-Old The Three Drinkers

Master Blender Stephen Woodcock

The result? A symphony of candied orange peel, cherries, and plums that unfurls into layers of oak, cappuccino, and soft spice. It’s indulgent, but never overwhelming, proof that adventure and elegance can share the same glass.

Why This Release Feels Different

At first glance, the bottle itself tells you this isn’t the Cutty Sark you’ve seen before. Housed in a sleek black presentation box with flashes of gold and that unmistakable yellow signature, it carries a tactile rope-and-eyelet motif, a subtle wink to the brand’s nautical roots. Even the stopper resembles a twist of rope, adding a playful detail that collectors will appreciate.

But beyond its aesthetics, this is a whisky with intent. It’s designed not just to be admired, but to be experienced, whether as a thoughtful gift, a centrepiece for one’s home bar, or a companion to a quiet evening where the only thing louder than the pour is the imagination it stirs.

How Does It Taste?

Think of it as a whisky voyage in three acts:

  1. The Arrival: Burnished copper in colour, its aroma greets you with bursts of citrus and red fruit: warm, inviting, and layered.

  2. The Exploration: On the palate, rich oak and roasted coffee notes surface, balanced by hints of baking bread and cocoa.

  3. The Return: A long, lingering finish carries whispers of spice and malt, a reminder that adventure doesn’t have to end when the glass is empty.

The Final Word

Setting sail in October, Cutty Sark 17 isn’t here to replace what’s familiar; it’s here to evolve it. By pushing flavour boundaries while honouring tradition, it captures the essence of what the brand has stood for since its smuggling days: boldness, craftsmanship, and a touch of mischief.

Priced between £85 and £90, it’s a whisky for those who appreciate both story and substance. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious explorer, this is a dram that rewards the journey.

So, raise your glass. Adventure, as it turns out, tastes best at 17.

Dover Yard and Ed Sheeran’s Spicy Tribute to Friendship

Dover Yard x Ed Sheeran The Three Drinkers

From London’s most sustainable bar to one of the world’s biggest music icons, this partnership has a story worth toasting. Dover Yard at 1 Hotel Mayfair has teamed up with Ed Sheeran’s hot sauce brand, Tingly Ted’s, to create something fiery, fun, and full of flavour: the Tingly JAM cocktail.

It’s not just another celebrity collaboration. It’s a drink with soul, crafted in loving memory of Ed’s late friend Jamal Edwards, and built around the flavours that defined their friendship: fried chicken, hot sauce, and laughter.

What Makes the Tingly JAM More Than Just a Cocktail?

The Tingly JAM isn’t just about what’s in the glass; it’s about the story it carries. A nod to friendship, creativity, and shared passion, it celebrates the bond between Ed and Jamal with every sip.

The cocktail blends butter-fat-washed Casamigos tequila with a house-made Tingly Ted’s tincture, creating a velvety balance of smoke, spice, and warmth. The name “JAM” pays tribute to Jamal himself, but also to those spontaneous jam sessions that defined their creative connection.

It pairs perfectly with Dover Yard’s crispy fried chicken and Tingly Ted’s dipping sauce, combining comfort and craftsmanship in one bite. And with 10% of every cocktail and dish supporting the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, it’s an indulgence that gives back.

How Did This Collaboration Come to Life?

Dover Yard x Ed Sheeran The Three Drinkers

The partnership goes beyond flavour. It’s about honouring Jamal’s vision, empowering young talent, and sparking creativity through opportunity.

Dover Yard’s bar team worked closely with Ed and the Trust to ensure the project felt true to Jamal’s energy: bold, inclusive, and inspiring. The result is a cocktail that captures his essence: uplifting, unexpected, and made to be shared.

As Jamal’s mother, Brenda Edwards, continues to champion his mission through the Trust, the Tingly JAM serves as a heartfelt reminder that creativity and confidence can truly change lives.

Sustainability Meets Soul

For Dover Yard, purpose-driven hospitality is nothing new. Since opening in 2023, the bar has become a quiet revolution in Mayfair, one where sustainability and indulgence happily coexist.

Under the guidance of Giulio Guarini and Marco Grisafi, the team repurposes ingredients from the neighbouring Dovetale restaurant (led by chef Tom Sellers) and prioritises zero-waste innovation across every serve.

The Regenerative Forces menu, where Tingly JAM now proudly sits, is a showcase of that ethos: creative, conscious, and deeply considered.

One Sip, Endless Stories

Priced at £22, the Tingly JAM is available now at Dover Yard, 1 Hotel Mayfair, a drink that proves flavour can be fun, purposeful, and deeply personal all at once.

Because sometimes, the best cocktails don’t just lift your spirits; they carry a story worth sharing.

Highland Park x Björn Frantzén: A Whisky That Invites You to Taste Emotion

Highland Park x Björn Frantzén The Three Drinkers

What happens when a whisky stops dictating what you should taste and starts asking what you feel?

From the coasts of Orkney to the creative mind of Swedish chef Björn Frantzén, Highland Park’s latest release, “Between You and I,” isn’t your usual single malt story. It’s not about ticking off tasting notes or chasing collector hype. It’s about emotion, memory, and what happens when a whisky invites you to pause … and listen.

What Makes “Between You and I” Different?

Most whisky launches lead with a list: honey, spice, smoke, oak. “Between You and I” takes a more human route. It’s inspired by the moments flavour can bring back: the scent of a kitchen from childhood, the warmth of a fire on a snowy night, or the calm that follows a long journey. This whisky isn’t asking you to identify its tasting notes; it’s asking you to explore what it reminds you of.

This approach came from Frantzén’s own sensory response to the liquid. Known for blending Nordic simplicity, French precision, and Japanese restraint, he viewed the whisky as a conversation between memory, flavour, and place. The result is something far more introspective than prescriptive: a dram that asks for connection rather than critique.

A Whisky That Looks as Bold as It Feels

Even the design of “Between You and I” breaks the rules. Instead of polished gloss, it’s dressed in a box that feels alive: graffiti-style strokes layered in vibrant orange, deep blue, and muted heather tones. The orange hints at warmth and firelight; the blue and purple, at flowing water and peat smoke. Every brushstroke mirrors the layered complexity of the whisky itself.

Frantzén’s design celebrates imperfection. The spray-painted layers overlap with confidence, echoing the whisky’s depth and character. Inside, there are no official tasting cards or checklists, only a small booklet filled with thoughtful prompts to guide your own reflections. It’s a refreshing reminder that flavour doesn’t have to be defined; it can be discovered.

What’s Inside the Glass?

For all its artistry, “Between You and I” stands firmly on craftsmanship. Matured for 16 years in a combination of virgin Swedish oak, sherry-seasoned European and American oak, and ex-Bourbon casks, it’s the first Highland Park whisky to use Swedish oak, adding a unique, textural spice to the distillery’s signature balance of honeyed sweetness and gentle smoke.

The flavour journey is rich and evolving: a wave of fruit and vanilla warmth, a slow build of oak, and that familiar thread of aromatic Orkney peat that ties everything together. It’s smooth, layered, and quietly confident, much like the creative partnership behind it.

The Meeting of Minds

Frantzén isn’t just a chef. He’s a storyteller through flavour. As the only chef in the world to simultaneously hold three Michelin stars across three restaurants, his food is an emotional experience as much as a culinary one. Highland Park recognised a shared philosophy in his approach: both view taste as deeply personal, tied to place and memory.

Together, they’ve crafted something that bridges two worlds: the meticulous artistry of fine dining and the centuries-old tradition of whisky-making.

Where Can You Buy “Between You and I”?

Highland Park x Björn Frantzén The Three Drinkers

The 16-year-old Between You and I launches in the UK on 14 October 2025, available through Selfridges, The Whisky Shop, Master of Malt, and The Whisky Exchange (£145).

For travellers, a Global Travel Retail exclusive, “Between You and I: Journeys,” offers a 17-year-old expression inspired by Frantzén’s memories from around the world (£155).

Final Sip: A Whisky That Tells Your Story

Highland Park’s Between You and I is a rethink of how we taste. Instead of asking “what’s in the whisky?”, it asks “what’s in you when you taste it?” It’s a whisky that rewards reflection, connection, and curiosity, proof that sometimes, the most profound tasting notes are the ones that can’t be written at all.

Aidy Signature

The Glendronach 30 & 40 Year Old: A New Chapter in Sherry Cask Mastery

Glendronach 30 & 40 Year Old The Three Drinkers

Two rare releases showcase four decades of patience, craftsmanship, and the art of sherry cask ageing.

For nearly two centuries, The GlenDronach has been synonymous with rich, sherry-cask-matured whisky. From its Highland home in the Valley of Forgue, the distillery continues to prove why it’s regarded as one of Scotland’s masters of maturation. Now, The GlenDronach unveils two remarkable new expressions: the 30-Year-Old and the 40-Year-Old 2025 Edition – each representing the height of its craft.

What Makes The GlenDronach 30-Year-Old So Special?

The GlenDronach 30-Year-Old is a beautifully composed Highland Single Malt that highlights the distillery’s sherry cask artistry. Under the guidance of Master Blender Rachel Barrie, the whisky brings together three distinct sherry cask styles: Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and, for the first time, Amontillado.

Barrie explains, “With the 30-Year-Old, we have composed a symphony from our most historic sherry cask styles. Three decades of maturation have resulted in a sublime and charming Single Malt, with generous layers of rich and complex character.”

The inclusion of Amontillado adds elegant notes of toasted hazelnut and crème caramel, perfectly balancing The GlenDronach’s hallmark dark cherry, chocolate, and spiced fruit tones. Presented in a walnut curl veneer case engraved with 30 facets, a nod to the years of patient ageing, this release is priced at £1,000 and available at Selfridges.

How Does the 40-Year-Old Represent the Peak of GlenDronach’s Craft?

Glendronach 40 years old The Three Drinkers

The 40-Year-Old 2025 Edition is the distillery’s ultimate expression, a rare whisky composed from a small number of hand-selected Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks. Matured over four decades in Spanish oak, it offers an extraordinary depth of flavour and a velvet-smooth texture that speaks to The GlenDronach’s time-honoured expertise.

Barrie shares, “At forty years old, it represents four decades of sherry cask refinement, polished by time to become the ultimate expression of The GlenDronach. It is a privilege to be the custodian of such remarkable casks.”

Expect a nose of black cherry, stewed plum, and blackberry, followed by a palate of bramble compote, prune, raisin wine, and cinnamon-laced chocolate espresso. Bottled at 43.9% ABV (Natural Cask Strength), it’s presented in a dark rosewood case with brass details and a golden plinth, a fitting vessel for a whisky of such stature. Retailing at £5,000, it is available through select global markets and Selfridges.

Why Are These Releases Important for Collectors and Enthusiasts?

The GlenDronach’s reputation rests on its mastery of sherry cask maturation, and these new releases reaffirm that legacy while deepening it. The 30-Year-Old introduces the Amontillado cask for the first time, while the 40-Year-Old showcases the distillery’s commitment to refinement through time, patience, and precision.

In an era of innovation and experimentation, The GlenDronach proves that true artistry still lies in tradition. Each bottle is not merely a whisky. It’s a time capsule of craftsmanship, matured to perfection beneath the cool stone walls of Forgue.

Aidy Signature

Ring the Alarm: Piper-Heidsieck’s ‘Code Rouge’ Ignites the Holidays in Style

If there were ever a Champagne that begged to be unleashed, it’s this one. Just in time for Christmas, Piper-Heidsieck (the house that’s never been afraid of a little drama) has dropped its latest limited-edition showstopper: the “Code Rouge Edition.” Exclusive to Selfridges from November 2025, this fiery red collectible doesn’t whisper luxury; it shouts it, all while winking at tradition.

Is It a Champagne or an Emergency Kit? (Maybe Both)

Forget the usual foil and label routine. The Code Rouge Edition arrives in a sculptural, metallic red case shaped like a vintage fire extinguisher, a playful nod to life’s “Champagne emergencies.” Finished in gold, secured by a quarter-turn lock, and emblazoned with the words “In case of Champagne emergency, break open case,” it’s part celebration, part spectacle.

It’s Piper-Heidsieck doing what Piper-Heidsieck does best: taking the seriousness out of sophistication. The result? A piece of design you’ll want to show off long before you pop it open.

What’s Bubbling Inside This Red Hot Release?

Inside the bold exterior sits the Cuvée Brut, the signature Piper-Heidsieck Champagne that captures the house’s spirited elegance. Made from a trio of Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes sourced from over 100 crus, it’s as expressive as it is refined.

The first sip delivers bright pear, white peach, and citrus, followed by orange blossom, toasted almonds, and a whisper of mint. It’s vibrant, harmonious, and joyfully alive, the kind of Champagne that makes any moment feel just a little more cinematic.

Why Does Piper-Heidsieck Keep Getting Design So Right?

Piper-Heidsieck’s ‘Code Rouge’ The Three Drinkers

Because it never plays it safe. Piper-Heidsieck has long treated Champagne as both an art form and an attitude, with collaborations spanning Jean-Paul Gaultier, Viktor & Rolf, and Christian Louboutin. From lipstick boxes to sound-inspired cases, every design is a declaration that Champagne should be seen as much as it’s sipped.

“This is Piper-Heidsieck at its boldest,” says CEO Stéphane Decaux. “Piper-Heidsieck lights up life’s celebrations with joy. This uniquely designed set is not just a gift, it becomes a call to celebrate boldly.”

Mission accomplished.

So, Who’s This For?

At £65.99 and available exclusively through Selfridges, the Code Rouge Edition hits that sweet spot between collectible and accessible. It’s for the person who’s impossible to buy for, the host who always brings the flair, or simply anyone who thinks life’s too short for boring bottles.

Because really, when the year winds down and the Champagne cravings rise, there’s only one emergency worth breaking glass for, and Piper-Heidsieck’s Code Rouge is it.

Aidy Signature

Ukai: A Cosy Taste of Japan in Notting Hill

Spicy Tuna Roll Ukai a Taste of Japan in Notting Hill DRINKLUSIVE Mentee Kwame Amaning

Spicy Tuna Roll (Photo Credit: AKA Communications)

Tucked away on the northern end of Notting Hill’s infamous Portobello Road lies a hidden gem of Japanese cuisine, offering first-class sushi in a comfortable, homely setting.

Ukai Bar & Restaurant is a modern Japanese restaurant that has vividly taken over what used to be a classic British pub, making your first step inside like nothing else you might imagine. The soaring artwork above the door, lush flora wrapped across the facade, and the quintessentially Japanese touches of comfort promise a hidden luxury to be discovered. A discovery cleverly reserved for the dinner table. 

Ukai’s kitchen is headed up by Alessandro Verros, who trained at the prestigious ROKA Collective, bringing the same quality of execution and a robata (short for robatayaki) grill, a “fireside” barbecue style of cooking that offers an expansive list of delightful dishes.

We sat down in the cosy restaurant side of the space, with a generous table perfect for showcasing the spread that was about to come, as we had opted for the signature tasting menu accompanied by a sake pairing. 

Shrimp Tartare Ukai a Taste of Japan in Notting Hill DRINKLUSIVE Mentee. Kwame Amaning

Shrimp Tartare

Tasting menus are a great way to explore a restaurant’s food as the chef intended, the next best thing to a full “omakase” style Japanese dinner. In classic Japanese fashion, the attention to detail in the food was superb, and the dishes demonstrated true craftsmanship, just as much works of art as they were delicious.

Well-seasoned edamame followed by red shrimp tartare and wagyu tataki with truffle set the tone for the rest of the evening. The edamame was salted just right to awaken our appetite, and the shrimp tartare was fresh, brightened by citrus and had savoury brine to balance the touch of sweetness. It’s easy to get complacent with wagyu, but quality meat alone does not make a quality dish.

Wagyu Tataki Ukai a Taste of Japan in Notting Hill DRINKLUSIVE Mentee Kwame Amaning

Wagyu Tataki

Thankfully, the thin slices of beef were wonderfully cooked, melting in the mouth with an indulgent fattiness and a welcome amount of truffle. Paired with these was a sparkling sake with light pear and apple notes and a silky texture whose sweetness made a great reset from our starter at every sip. 

Sashimi Platter Ukai a Taste of Japan in Notting Hill DRINKLUSIVE Mentee Kwame Amaning

Sashimi Platter (Photo Credit: AKA Communications)

Naturally, the sushi at Ukai was the main feature of the tasting menu, and our platter was a spread of the best serves they had to offer. The sashimi was soft and fresh at every bite, the prawn tempura roll had a great crunch, and the sushi rice across the platter had a unique texture that really stood out.

My favourite was the spicy tuna roll; a classic staple in many venues, but at Ukai, it was presented with gorgeous little touches that widened the eyes, and the avocado was creamy and bridged the flavours for great harmony. The sake for this course was a Shichiken Junmai, which had aromas of melon and citrus with a fresh acidity to reset the palate for the fish.

Beef Fillet Ukai a Taste of Japan in Notting Hill DRINKLUSIVE Mentee  Kwame Amaning

Beef Fillet and Salad

The beef fillet, accompanied by the lettuce and radicchio salad, was a hearty follow-up to the sushi. The meat was well-cooked, fell apart delicately, and the salad was crisp with a lightly bitter finish. We enjoyed a junmai daiginjo sake pairing for this course, another junmai - the rice polished to over 60% in this case.

Rice polishing is a sake brewer’s technique of preparing the rice for fermentation, stripping away excess fats and proteins, resulting in a more delicate and floral style of sake. 

Yuzu Cheesecake Ukai a Taste of Japan in Notting Hill DRINKLUSIVE Mentee Kwame Amaning

Yuzu Cheesecake

We couldn’t help but round out our meal with dessert, opting for the yuzu cheesecake that had hints of lime blossom and a crumbly almond biscuit base. It was a blissful evening at Ukai, and the addition of a DJ to curate the music in the venue was a highly appreciated touch.

Whilst the beef fillet and salad were exquisite, I found it to be a departure from the traditional Japanese cuisine we enjoyed throughout the rest of the meal. This became more apparent when we each had our own beef fillet, but the sushi platter was shared. Given that the sake-paired tasting menu is £70 per person, I would have preferred a larger focus on the latter strength of the restaurant and an alternative use of the robata grill.

Aside from this, the service, the staff, and the venue in general genuinely made for a cosy evening, a welcome change from the more sleek style of Japanese restaurants one might otherwise find.

Ukai is certainly the top Japanese restaurant in Notting Hill, and is worth the visit if you’re into Japanese food but want to enjoy quality in a more homely, relaxed atmosphere. 

NB: I was invited to review, and my meal was complimentary. All views are my own and not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and experience.

Kwame Amaning DRINKLUSIVE Mentee The Three Drinkers 2025

What are Organic, Biodynamic and Sustainable Wines?

the three drinkers what are organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines?

Organic eating has had far more press than organic drinking over the last few years, but as people grow increasingly aware of what they consume, the tide is changing. Just like with the food industry, you’re likely to stumble across a few different terms, certificates and techniques that overlap with one another, but these buzzwords can cause confusion. So, to clear it up, here is a clear breakdown of what ‘organic’, ‘biodynamic’, and ‘sustainable’ actually means for wine.

What are organic wines?

In the simplest of terms, organic wine means that the wine uses organically grown grapes. To be able to call itself organic, the vineyard has to have the relevant organic farming certification from the country it’s in, which indicates that 100% organic ingredients have gone into it, so artificial fertilisers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, colouring agents, and concentrated wine additives are prohibited.

This isn’t to say that nothing can be added, however, because an organic wine may still use yeasts and fining agents, some of which are not vegan. Also, bear in mind that because regulators differ from country to country, organic is a loose definition. For example, in the US sulphur is not permitted, but in Europe, it can be up to 100ppm… which is why some American bottles are labelled, ‘made using organic grapes’ rather than simply ‘organic’ – confusing we know!

What are biodynamic wines?

what are organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines? the three drinkers

Centred around the work of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic wines build on organic wine production by not only embracing the regulations of organic wine, but by considering the vineyard as a wider ecosystem.

The aim is to find ecological balance and self-sufficiency through the interconnectivity of everything in the vineyard. Lunar cycles are involved, as are astrological influences and very specific soil preparations to work within the biodynamic calendar. Some of the most prestigious wine producers in the world swear by these practices not just to produce healthier, more natural grapes, but to make sure that the vineyard is still thriving in years to come. Producers such as Maison Chapoutier in the Rhône Valley and even Domaine de la Romanée Conti in Burgundy are biodynamic. You’re not likely to see an official biodynamic certification on labels, however. Instead, it will probably be labelled as organic with something like ‘made according to biodynamic methods’ on the bottle.

What are sustainable wines?

Making sustainable wines is more practical than organic winemaking, because if something isn’t economically viable, it may be skipped over as long as the overall production maintains biodiversity, conserves water, and embraces renewable technology.

Like biodynamic winemaking, there is no formality to the certification although there are international standards such as the ISO that are widely recognised. Generally, compromises are allowed so a business can be profitable but, when possible, the environmental option must be pursued. To give an example, if there were a situation where the choice was to either let some vines die or to use pesticides and save them, the pesticides would be used at the expense of the organic label.

Of course, there are fantastic wines that meet all of these classifications, as well as many that meet none, but we’re all for winemaking that looks to be as natural, waste-free and environmentally friendly as possible. Often, the wines do seem more vibrant with brighter flavours, and many drinkers never go back!

If you want to taste some delicious organic wines then check out the wonderful organic whites, pinks and reds here!

How to Craft the Perfect Whiskey Sour

How to Craft the Perfect Whiskey Sour DRINKLUSIVE Mentee Liam McLeod

Few cocktails strike the perfect balance like a whiskey sour. With its simple mix of lemon, syrup, and whiskey, it’s a drink that has stood the test of time. Like a lot of cocktails, the origins of the whiskey sour are scattered throughout history. 

The family of “sour” cocktails can be traced back to 1862, with Jerry Thomas’s guide How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant’s Companion being one of the earliest references to the mix. Originally developed by sailors, a sour mix would feature a base spirit, a sweetener such as syrup, and a bitter citrus fruit juice such as lemon or lime. These were fruits that sailors kept on hand to ward off scurvy and made for excellent pairings with spirits like rum, gin, and, indeed, whiskey.

The oldest recorded reference to a whiskey sour is in an archived copy of the Wisconsin newspaper, the Waukesha Plain Dealer, from 1870. It was later claimed that an English ship steward named Elliott Stubb invented the cocktail while in the Peruvian port city of Iquique. Legends say that Stubb used the uniquely bitter Lemon di Pica from the nearby commune of Pica in his version. However, like all pieces of cocktail lore, this story suffers from a lack of primary sources.

What Ingredients Are in a Whiskey Sour?

The modern whiskey sour is far less picky about its choice of ingredients. According to International Bartenders Association, the classic whiskey sour recipe is:

45ml of bourbon whiskey
25ml of fresh lemon juice
20ml of sugar syrup
Optional: A few drops of egg white
You can also add a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry for garnish if so desired.

While the IBA calls for bourbon, it’s perfectly possible to make a good whiskey sour with Irish whiskey if you prefer, though this does lack the bourbon’s distinct caramel taste. It’s also possible to use a good Scotch for a Scotch Sour, which, depending on the whiskey used, can lead to a smokier taste. The egg white isn’t necessarily essential; it simply gives the Whiskey Sour a nice creamy texture and offsets some of the bitterness. So, feel free to discard if you prefer.

So, How Do You Make a Whiskey Sour? To make one of these beauties, simply place the whiskey, lemon juice, syrup, and egg white into a cocktail shaker. Do not add ice just yet. A 30-second dry shake (shaking without the ice) will help to create a silky texture and a frothy head, and better balance the flavours in the cocktail.

Add ice and shake for another 10-15 seconds to chill the cocktail before straining it into a chilled lowball glass. And that’s really all there is to the perfect whiskey sour, though, as with all cocktails, there are many variations.

The Best Whiskey Sour Variations

How to craft the Best New York Whiskey Sour The Three Drinkers DRINKLUSIVE Mentee Liam MacLeod

The most famous is likely the New York Sour, which follows the same recipe but with a red wine float atop the mixture. This adds more complexity and fruit-forward notes to the cocktail – the better the wine used, the better the quality of the cocktail.

The Hawaiian Stone Sour adds pineapple juice to the mix for a sweeter tropical taste. Allegedly, this was invented by the “King of Cocktails,” Dale DeGroff, in 2000.

The London Sour is a longer, fruity drink thanks to the addition of 75ml of orange juice and around 5ml of orgeat (almond) syrup. It makes for a sweeter, citrus-packed version of the whiskey sour that has a pleasant almond flavour running through it.

Finally, for the truly adventurous, there is the Whiskey Business, which adds cinnamon syrup and chili liqueur for an extra spicy drink. Depending on your spice tolerance, this one is not for the faint-hearted!

And that’s all you need to know about the whiskey sour. It’s a simple cocktail but with endless opportunities for experimentation. You can mix a hundred of these and they can still surprise you with their range of flavours and textures.

If you have a unique take on this classic cocktail, we would love to hear it! Get in touch on social @thethreedrinkers with your own experiences mixing a whiskey sour or if you have your own signature variation that hasn’t been covered here. Like all the best drinks writers, we are always curious to try something new.

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