Whiskey: Not Just for Winter
We love sipping whiskey inside by a cozy fireplace as much as the next person, but we also don’t think whiskey weather has to be confined to one or two seasons, It’s always whiskey weather when you know how to craft cocktails using fresh, seasonally inspired ingredients to complement the spirits, and we’re big fans of the possibilities for summer whiskey cocktails.
At Brother Justus Whiskey Company, we’ve expanded whiskey sipping into the summer season even further with our Silver American Single Malt Whiskey. As crystal clear as its counterparts are shining gold, and made from water and 100% malted barley (yes, that’s it!), it introduces an entirely new depth of flavor to your summer whiskey cocktail routine, finely polished and lush in taste. And, it’s supremely versatile – so much so that it’s an excellent replacement for other clear spirits in your favorite cocktails, like blanco tequila, white rum, and vodka.
We’ve picked three of our favorite popular summer drinks that are even better when you swap the spirit for Silver: the Margarita, the Mojito, and the Salty Dog. So, instead of three or four bottles on your next liquor store run, you can pick up just one Silver Whiskey to get the job done!
Margarita
Why We Love It | One of the most popular classic cocktails, the margarita’s bright flavor combinations makes it a perfect summer sip. Sweet, sour, and salty come together beautifully in your glass.
Why Our Silver Should Swap In | Quality is key when shopping for the perfect blanco tequila to make this classic drink. Our Silver’s whiskey’s polished, full-flavored body boasts crisp notes that pair excellently with the orange liqueur of your choice (though we might be partial to our own Orange Luxury Liqueur).
How to Make It | Combine 2 ounces Brother Justus Silver Whiskey with ½ ounce of orange liqueur, 1 ounce of lime juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup (or agave syrup) in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and salted rim. (Pro tip: swap the lime juice for lemon juice and top with a splash of club soda to make yourself a Daisy!)
Mojito
Why We Love It | The origins of this drink can be traced all the way back to 16th century Cuba, supposedly named for a similar cocktail that explorer Sir Francis Drake consumed for medicinal purposes upon his arrival to Havana in 1586. And since then, not much has changed: it’s retained its deliciously light, crisp taste that makes the mint muddling more than worth the effort.
Why Our Silver Should Swap In | The bright citrus, pineapple, and rich herbal notes of our Silver Whiskey take the mojito up a notch, giving it an absolutely crushable, thirst-quenching taste. Plus, it’s a great way to use that monster mint plant that’s taking over your garden beds!
How to Make It |
Lightly muddle 3-5 fresh mint leaves in a shaker with ½ ounce of simple syrup. Add 2 ounces of Silver Whiskey, ¾ ounces of lime juice, and a few ice cubes and give it a brief shake until chilled. Strain over fresh ice into a highball glass, top with a splash of club soda, and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel. (Pro tip: firmly slap the mint sprig on the back of your hand before garnishing. This releases the plant’s natural oils to make it more aromatic!)
Salty Dog
Why We Love It | Like its predecessor, the Greyhound, the Salty Dog is about as simple as they come: combine a clear spirit with grapefruit juice and pour into a glass with a salted rim, and that’s it. It’s an easily made cocktail that doesn’t require a lot of preparation, leaving you more time to sit, sip, and enjoy the sunshine.
Why Our Silver Should Swap In | Again, the simplicity is key here: because the Salty Dog only has two liquid ingredients, you need to choose a quality spirit that won’t pale against the tart citrus of the grapefruit juice. Hints of cherry and cacao nibs in the whiskey complement the sharp tang of fresh grapefruit, without overtaking it or flying under the radar.
How to Make It |
Wet the rim of a highball glass and dip it in a coarse salt. Fill the glass with ice, then add 1 ½ ounces of Silver Whiskey and 3 ounces of fresh grapefruit juice. Stir gently to combine, then garnish with a grapefruit slice. (Pro tip: We recommend fresh squeezed grapefruit juice – you’ll get rich citrus flavor without the artificial sweetness and excess sugar in a lot pre-made varieties.)
Other cocktails that can be easily enhanced with our Silver Whiskey include:
The Cosmopolitan (yes, the 1990s called, and yes, we answered)
The Bee’s Knees (as outstanding a drink as the tiny creature who inspired the Prohibition-era phrase)
The Pina Colada (especially if you enjoy getting caught in the rain)
The Espresso Martini (because sometimes, you need both alcohol and caffeine)
The Mint Julep (this boozy sip isn’t just for Derby Day)
The Gimlet (jazz this classic up with cucumber slices, basil leaves, and lemonade)
The Miami Vice (blended strawberry, lime, coconut, and pineapple? Say no more and find us a lawn chair in the sun)
The possibilities with our Silver American Single Malt Whiskey really are endless! The list of cocktails we’ve included certainly isn’t exhaustive, and you may just want to experiment for yourself on other clear-spirit drinks. So now, it’s time to get mixing! Order a bottle online or stop by a retail location near you to start crafting your favorite summer cocktail – now, with whiskey.
Want to save 10% on your bottle? Sign up for our email list below and we’ll send you a promo code!*
*Offer valid for new email sign-ups only, July 16-31, 2024.
Must be 21+ to purchase; some shipping restrictions apply.
