A Bourbon Cocktail Recipe For Ringing In The Holiday Season

Need-To-Knows About Whiskey

Whiskey is a general term for a handful of varieties of distilled spirits that are made from fermented grains. To begin the distillation process for whiskey, the grain (whatever it may be – wheat, rye, barley, or corn, or a few mixed together) must be mashed. Literally – the grain(s) get broken down into a nice slop-like consistency with the help of hot water and agitation. This removes excess sugars so distillers can get to the bottom of their product’s characteristics and flavors.

Technicalities aside, what you really need to know is the sheer strength of whiskey. According to McCall, the drink’s strength varies with the type of whiskey.

“The whiskey alcohol percentage varies depending on the type of whiskey and where it is made,” she says. “Whiskey in America has to be bottled at a minimum of 40%, but some can go upwards of 50% ABV (80 to 100 proof).”

This fact can widen the gap between you and a really great whiskey experience. But don’t worry – no one’s pressuring you to drink it like a total pro right off the bat. McCall offers some solutions for beginners looking to ease into the spirit.

Tips For Drinking Whiskey

McCall recommends starting your whiskey journey with none other than Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“[This whiskey] is our flagship expression and the gold standard of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, so it’s always a great place to start,” she details. “This expression led to the creation of our Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, which creates heavier notes of honey, cream, and vanilla that are magnified alongside sweet aromatic notes with a custom barreling process, naturally lending itself to be a nice introductory bourbon as well.”

In order to discover the whiskey that you really vibe with, try tasting a small amount on its own to detect the flavor notes. Once you’re familiar, you might find the whiskey cocktail recipe you make becoming even tastier. Tasting it neat is an important way to find appreciation for all the nuances.

“If a whiskey doesn’t taste good on its own, it’s not worth mixing in a cocktail in hopes to make it taste better,” McCall offers.

When you are prepped to try whiskey in a cocktail, McCall’s top-rated drinks are actually quite simple ones. Aside from the classic Old Fashioned, she’ll craft her own mixed drinks using Woodford Reserve.

“Sometimes I prefer a very simple mixed drink like Woodford Reserve, cranberry juice and fresh lemonade. There are a lot of great citrus notes in Woodford Reserve Bourbon and when mixed with a great quality lemonade and cranberry juice, it is a very refreshing drink,” she says. “This is my go-to when I have gatherings at my house, it’s always a crowd pleaser.”

Whatever your method of drinking whiskey, don’t be afraid to just do you. Everyone is different and has different flavor preferences, so there’s no need to feel left in the dust if someone’s sipping on something else.

“What may be good whiskey to me might not be good whiskey to you,” McCall says. “For me personally, a good whiskey has a complexity of flavor.”

What's the difference between whisky and whiskey?

The only difference between ‘whisky’ and ‘whiskey’ is that they’re spelled differently. Both terms refer to the same distilled spirit, but the spelling varies around the world. American and Irish whiskeys tend to use ‘whiskey,’ while Scottish, Canadian, and Japanese varieties use ‘whisky.’

Are whiskey and bourbon the same thing?

According to Elizabeth McCall, the Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve, whiskey is the overarching category that includes both bourbon and Scotch.

“There are a few rules that drive the difference between bourbon and Scotch, the dominant ones being that bourbon is made with a grain recipe that is at least 51% corn – and can only be made in the U.S.A.,” she says. “Scotch is typically made from malted barley, and can only be made in Scotland.”

What are the 4 types of whiskey?

The four main types of whiskey are: Scotch, Bourbon, Canadian, and Irish Whiskey.

The Best Whiskey Recipes For Beginners

Honey Bee

You'll soon fall in love with the smooth and refreshing taste of this recipe that features Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's new whisky brand SirDavisthat launched TODAY on the singer/entrepreneur's birthday! Always intentional with her ideas, she created the brand to honor her great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, who was a farmer and moonshiner.

It's comprised of 51% rye and 49% malted barley that have been matured in sherry casks for a beautiful taste that's on par with Japanese and Scotch whiskies without skimping on the familiar American Rye taste.

Here's what you'll need for the delicious Honey Bee recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 oz SirDavis American Whisky
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .5 oz Honey Syrup*
• Garnish: Honeycomb

Note: To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

Instructions

• Add liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice going in last. Shake for dilution and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with honeycomb.

Whiskey Cocktail with Ginger and Lemon

This drink recipe is simple. All you need is your new favorite whiskey or bourbon, ginger ale, and lemon juice. Mix it all in a glass, and you're good to go. (via Brit + Co.)

Clementine Whiskey Smash

Clementines bring forth a citrusy brightness, while cinnamon works to highlight the smoky notes from the whiskey. (via Brit + Co.)

Old Fashioned

This Old Fashioned recipe gets a nice boost from simple syrup, if you prefer a sweeter sip. (via Breckenridge Distillery for Brit + Co.)

Butterscotch Milk Punch

This super-sweet drink is perfect for holiday soirees! (via Brit + Co.)

Spicy Bourbon Pumpkin Smash

With the holidays coming up, this cocktail will warm you up and impress guests. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Vegan Whiskey Sour

This vegan-friendly whiskey recipe omits egg whites and instead uses aquafaba (leftover chickpea water) to create the iconic foamy texture. (via The Edgy Veg)

Mint Julep

Mint Juleps are prime pickings for beginner whiskey drinkers and lazy home bartenders alike. All you need is bourbon, mint sprigs, and simple syrup or sugar cubes. Voila! (via Mixop)

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Cocktail

Fruity flavors swarm each swig of this holiday-approved cocktail. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Apple Cider Cocktail

Whiskey combines with the zesty, fresh elements from apple cider in this seasonal-leaning cocktail. (via Mixop)

Bourbon Slush

Banish summertime sadness with this ice-cold slush that gets its punch from bourbon. (via Live Eat Learn)

What is pumpkin juice for?

Within the Wizarding World, pumpkin juice was created by the (fictional) London Pumpkins & Sons in 1837 and has become very popular among Wizarding kind since then. And, of course, when the drink was published in the Harry Potter books, it became very popular in our Muggle world, too!

Is pumpkin juice good for you?

Yes, pumpkin juice is good for you. Pumpkin's got vitamins and antioxidants, but it can also boost your immune system, protect your eyes, and lower your risk for certain cancers. Peach juice can improve your skin, while pear juice can strengthen your blood vessels.

What does pumpkin juice taste like?

You might think that Pumpkin Juice tastes similar to a Pumpkin Spice Latte (because that's what I thought), but it's much more vibrant and fruity. Apple cider and pumpkin pie spice add a nice edge to the flavor, while pear and peach juice sweeten the drink without tasting too syrup-like. It's delicious hot or cold, and I could not recommend it enough!

How To Make Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice

The best thing about this recipe is that it's very flexible. So that means if you think there's too much of one ingredient, or not enough of another, you can change it to fit your personal taste. Because all you're doing is blending everything together, you can make changes, swaps, or additions right in the middle of making it!

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider
• 4 tsp pumpkin purée
• 1/3 cup peach juice
• 1/3 cup pear juice
• A dash of pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

1. Add all of your ingredients (except the pumpkin pie spice) to a blender, then blend.
2. Pour into your favorite glass or mug.
3. Top with pumpkin pie spice and enjoy!

Are they rebooting Twilight?

On September 5, 2024, Variety confirmed that a Twilight TV show is coming to Netflix, and that it'll be based on Stephanie Meyer's 2020 Midnight Sun, which retells the story of Twilight from Edward's point of view.

When Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns revealed during a Q&A the studio was shopping the series around to different networks, he also revealed a very important piece of information — the show will be a cartoon. “We’re going to go out with the Twilight series, an animated series, I think there’ll be a lot of interest in that," he says.

Initially I was hesitant about the idea of an animated Twilight, but I'm actually very interested to see how the show comes together stylistically. Animation will be able to capture the magic, romance, and style of the story in a totally different way than live action, and I am really just curious to see how they'll animate Edward in the sun.

Who's writing the Midnight Sun show?

Sinead Daly (who has worked on titles like Tell Me Lies and The Walking Dead: World Beyond) will write and produce the new series.

Who else is involved?

Stephanie Meyer, Meghan Hibbett, Marty Bowen, and Wyck Godfrey (a producer of the Twilight series) will all serve as executive producers.

Will Kristen Stewart return as Bella?

We don't have any plot or cast details at the moment, but if the original book series is getting a new adaptation, it's safe to assume a different actress will play the lead role.

In an episode of Josh Horowitz's Watchalong podcast, Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke says she thinks Jenna Ortega and Jacob Elordi would make an amazing Bella Swan and Edward Cullen if she was casting the Twilight series today.

“I mean, [Jacob's] amazing. He probably would be Edward today,” she says, before continuing, “I do think there’s a lot of really cool young actors today. Of course, you just mentioned Jenna Ortega, she’s amazing.”

What is the new Twilight spin-off?

Stephanie Meyers published Midnight Sun in 2020, and this novel retells the story of Twilight from Edward Cullen's perspective.

Will they make a 6th Twilight?

Right now, there are no plans to add to the existing Twilight series. But we're excited to see this new Midnight Sun TV show!

When did Twilight 4 come out?

Breaking Dawn was published in 2008 — the same year that the first Twilight movie came to theaters. The movie adaptations of Breaking Dawn were released in two parts in 2011 and 2012.

Does Jacob marry Renesmee?

In a move that shocked Twilight fans (and the rest of the general public, TBH), Jacob imprints on baby Renesmee in Breaking Dawn: Part Two. The two are friends until Renesmee becomes an adult and they fall in love. The craziest part? THAT'S why Jacob had feelings for Bella the whole time: he actually had feelings for Renesmee, she just hadn't been born yet. Do with that information what you will.