Should You Mix Whisky: 4 Best Whisky Mixers

A common misconception held by many whisky enthusiasts is that there’s a “right” way to drink the amber ambrosia and that it is a sin to mix whisky. But is that really true?

It’s easy to feel inundated with do’s and don’ts when approaching whisky for the first time, but don’t let yourself fall prey to the self-proclaimed pros. Neat, on the rocks, with water or in a cocktail: there are countless ways to consume whisky, all of which come down to personal taste. With new and exciting whisky mixers being introduced on the regular, it would be a shame not to try your hand at creating your own signature whisky drink.

Here we’ll discuss some of the most popular ways to mix whisky, from basic sodas to speakeasy callbacks.

Do People Usually Mix Whisky?

Whisky is often taken neat–that is to say, poured directly into a glass (no measuring tools) and consumed without ice, mixers, or aromatics. Experts recommend drinking from a room-temperature lowball glass and sipping slowly. The point of drinking whisky neat is to savour the flavour nuances without dilution or “interruption.”

While old western movies are keen to depict their heroes pounding back shot after shot of whisky, this would generally be considered poor form, especially with top shelf whiskies. Whisky is meant to be savoured which is why if you are going to opt to mix whisky, it is commonly advised for it to be with something like water or soda that will only dilute your beverage rather than affect the flavour.

Whisky And Soda

When most of us think about popular whisky + soda combos, a whisky coke probably springs to mind. First mentioned in 1907 by an employee of the United States Bureau of Chemistry and Soils during a visit to the south, the “Coca-Cola high-ball” would eventually go on to become a classic in whisky cocktail culture.

This winning combination of Coca-Cola and whisky–the latter typically an Irish or Tennessee whisky–not only lends a smooth, rounded sweetness, but also brings out deeper molasses notes. A few cubes of ice and slice of lime can be added as well.

Cola isn’t the only possible whisky mixer, however. Lemon-lime sodas like Sprite or 7UP offer an especially refreshing twist, with the world famous Seven & Seven (or 7&7), consisting of Seagram’s 7 Crown Whisky and 7Up, a bar menu staple. Ginger sodas also make for a nice variation on the Moscow Mule and Dark n’ Stormy.

Club soda is a time-honoured mixer and recommended alternative to water, as the sugarless, calorie-free beverage enhances the natural flavours of whisky without overpowering them, resulting in an equally refreshing but cleaner mixed drink.

A less common but equally fantastic mixer is root beer, which has become increasingly favoured by mixologists thanks to its smoky, spicy notes and sarsaparilla-esque sweetness.

You Can Mix Whisky With Tea & Coffee

Tea and coffee are both excellent whisky mixers, ideal for both warm and colder seasons. A hot toddy, consisting of whisky, honey, lemon, and cinnamon, is a classic cold season remedy, while iced sweet tea and bourbon has long been regarded by southerners as the quintessential summer heat-beater. When creating a whisky and iced tea cocktail, you can use any tea of your liking, although black teas usually produce a bolder taste.

If you’ve heard of or are a fan of Irish Coffee, that boozy, caffeinated creation of whisky (historically Jameson), espresso, whipped cream, and garnishing spices, you might be interested in trying an Irish White Russian, featuring whisky, Bailey’s, coffee liquor, and heavy cream.

Mix Whisky And Juice

There are a variety of whisky cocktails featuring fruit juices, nectars, and essences, but sometimes it’s as simple as whipping up a fresh pitcher of lemonade and adding your favourite whisky. Whisky and lemonade, like bourbon iced tea, is extremely popular in the south, and a deliciously convenient way to keep guests refreshed during summertime gatherings. It’s worth noting that lemon juice is periodically used in whisky cocktails to effect that extra “kick.”

For a more autumnal option, whisky and apple cider served hot or over ice makes for the perfect harvest time cocktail.

Whisky And Water

Adding water to whisky has long been believed to bring out the latter’s flavours and overall richness. Iconic bourbon distiller Pappy Van Winkle famously refused to water down his elixir, preferring that people undertake the task themselves, quipping: “That way you make a poor thing better rather than a fine thing worse.” More to the point, aromatic whisky compounds are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water and are thus easier to detect with a little added aqua.

While there’s no hard and fast method to mix whisky and water, it’s generally recommended that you add a capful of still mineral water to whisky poured neat. This will open the flavour notes as well as smooth out the overall taste, allowing you to better savour the selected whisky.

Are There Recommended Whiskies For Each Mixer?

As mentioned above, personal taste is everything when it comes to deciding on what to mix whisky with. Most would agree that it’s best to save the nicer whiskies for sipping neat or at most enjoying on the rocks or with a little added water, but even this could be negated on account of individual preferences.

If you’re new to mixing whisky, a good rule of thumb is to remember that age isn’t necessarily a relative factor; for example, if you’re having a whisky coke, you probably don’t want to reach for a 16 year-old Scotch whisky, but opt for a reputable young whisky that will blend seamlessly without breaking your bank. On the other hand, a good bourbon is a must for whisky mainstay cocktails like Mint Juleps and Manhattans.

Something Old, Something New: 6 Whisky Cocktails To Try Tonight

1. Manhattan

Like many–if not most–cocktails, the Manhattan’s origins are somewhat nebulous. The cocktail’s first noteworthy mention can be found in an 1882 issue of The Democrat, which claimed: “It is but a short time ago that a mixture of whisky, vermouth and bitters came into vogue,” further dropping the drink’s alternative names “Jockey Club” and “Turf Club” cocktail. Whatever you care to call it, there’s no denying that this cocktail is a must for any whisky devotee.