Whiskey Cocktails for Office Happy Hours

Office happy hours are a great way to unwind after a long day of work, bond with your colleagues, and have some fun. But planning an office happy hour can be tricky. You have to find a place that can accommodate everyone, cater to different tastes and preferences, and stay within your budget. That’s why whiskey cocktails are a perfect choice for office happy hours. They are easy to make, versatile, and delicious. Whether you prefer bourbon, rye, or Irish whiskey, there is a cocktail for you. In this blog post, we will show you how to make some of the best whiskey cocktails for office happy hours, and share some tips and tricks to enjoy them. So grab your shaker, your glass, and your whiskey, and let’s get started.

Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

In this section, we will show you how to make some of the best whiskey cocktails for office happy hours. You will need a shaker, a strainer, a measuring cup, a stirring spoon, and some glasses. You can also use a cocktail jigger, a muddler, and a citrus juicer, if you have them. Here are the recipes:

 Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that dates back to the 19th century. It is made with bourbon, sugar, bitters, and orange peel. It has a rich and smooth flavor, with a hint of citrus and spice.

Old Fashioned

 Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) of bourbon

• 1/4 oz (7.5 ml) of simple syrup or 1 sugar cube

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• 1 orange peel

Instructions:

1. If using a sugar cube, place it in an old-fashioned glass and add the bitters. Muddle the sugar and bitters until dissolved. If using simple syrup, just add it to the glass along with the bitters.

2. Add some ice cubes to the glass and pour the bourbon over them. Stir gently to combine.

3. Twist an orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then rub it around the rim. Drop it into the drink or use it as a garnish.

Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is a refreshing cocktail that balances the sweetness of sugar, the sourness of lemon, and the smoothness of whiskey. It is made with whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and egg white. The egg white adds a frothy and silky texture to the drink, but you can omit it if you prefer.

Whiskey Sour

 Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) of whiskey

• 3/4 oz (22.5 ml) of fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 oz (15 ml) of simple syrup or 2 teaspoons of sugar

• 1 egg white (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a shaker. Shake well without ice to emulsify the egg white. This is called a dry shake.

2. Add some ice cubes to the shaker and shake again until chilled. This is called a wet shake.

3. Strain the drink into a rocks glass or a coupe glass. You can add some ice cubes to the rocks glass if you like.

4. Garnish with a lemon wedge or a cherry, if desired.

Manhattan

The Manhattan is a sophisticated cocktail that originated in New York City in the late 19th century. It is made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It has a complex and elegant flavor with a touch of herbal and bitter notes.

Whiskey Manhattan

 Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) of rye whiskey

• 1 oz (30 ml) of sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• 1 cherry

Instructions:

1. Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass with some ice cubes. Stir well until chilled and diluted.

2. Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass or a coupe glass.

3. Garnish with a cherry, preferably a maraschino or a Luxardo cherry.

Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is a refreshing cocktail that is associated with the Kentucky Derby, a famous horse race that takes place every year in May. It is made with bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice. It has a cool and minty flavor, with a hint of sweetness and warmth.

Mint Julep

 Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) of bourbon

• 1/4 oz (7.5 ml) of simple syrup or 1 teaspoon of sugar

• 6-8 fresh mint leaves

• Crushed ice

Instructions:

1. In a julep cup or a rocks glass, add the mint leaves and the simple syrup or sugar. Gently muddle the mint and the sugar to release their flavors. Do not over-muddle or tear the mint leaves, as this will make the drink bitter.

2. Fill the cup or glass with crushed ice, and pour the bourbon over it. Stir briefly to mix the ingredients and chill the drink.

3. Garnish with more mint leaves and a straw if you like.

Irish Coffee

The Irish Coffee is a warm and cozy cocktail that is perfect for cold days or nights. It is made with Irish whiskey, coffee, brown sugar, and whipped cream. It has a smooth and creamy flavor, with a kick of caffeine and whiskey.

Irish Coffee

 Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) of Irish whiskey

• 4 oz (120 ml) of hot coffee

• 2 teaspoons of brown sugar

• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. In a heatproof glass or a mug, add the brown sugar and the Irish whiskey. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.

2. Pour the hot coffee over the whiskey and sugar mixture, and stir again to combine.

3. Top with whipped cream, and do not stir. You want to drink the coffee through the cream.

Tips and Tricks for Making and Enjoying Whiskey Cocktails

Whiskey cocktails are a great way to enjoy the rich and complex flavor of this distilled spirit, whether you prefer it smooth, smoky, spicy, or sweet. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make and enjoy whiskey cocktails at home:

Choose the right whiskey for each cocktail.

Different types of whiskey have different flavor profiles and strengths, which can affect how they mix with other ingredients. For example, bourbon is sweeter and smoother than rye, which is spicier and drier. Scotch is smokier and peatier than Irish whiskey, which is lighter and fruitier. You can experiment with different whiskeys to find your favorite, or follow the recipes’ recommendations.

Use simple and accessible ingredients.

You don’t need to buy expensive or exotic ingredients to make delicious whiskey cocktails. You can use fruits, herbs, spices, and syrups that you already have in your kitchen or pantry, or that you can easily find in your local grocery store. For example, you can use lemon, orange, apple, or cherry juice, honey, maple syrup, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger, to add flavor and sweetness to your cocktails. You can also use fresh or dried mint, basil, rosemary, or thyme, to add freshness and aroma to your cocktails.

 Adjust the sweetness, sourness, and bitterness of your cocktails.

Everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to cocktails, so feel free to adjust the sweetness, sourness, and bitterness of your drinks, according to your liking. You can add more or less sugar, honey, or syrup, to make your cocktails sweeter or less sweet. You can add more or less lemon, lime, or vinegar, to make your cocktails sourer or less sour. You can add more or less bitters, such as Angostura, Peychaud’s, or orange, to make your cocktails bitterer or less bitter.

 Serve your cocktails in appropriate glasses.

The type of glass you use to serve your cocktails can affect how they look, taste, and feel. Different glasses have different shapes, sizes, and rims, which can influence how the cocktail hits your tongue, nose, and mouth. For example, you can use a rocks glass, also known as an old-fashioned glass, to serve cocktails that are stirred or built over ice, such as an old-fashioned, a Manhattan, or a whiskey sour. You can use a martini glass, also known as a cocktail glass, to serve cocktails that are shaken or stirred without ice, such as a martini, a cosmopolitan, or a whiskey smash. You can use a highball glass, also known as a Collins glass, to serve cocktails that are topped with soda, water, or juice, such as a Tom Collins, a whiskey and coke, or a whiskey and ginger ale.

 Add ice, garnishes, and straws, if needed.

Ice, garnishes, and straws are optional, but they can enhance the appearance, flavor, and temperature of your cocktails. Ice can chill and dilute your cocktails, making them more refreshing and less strong. Garnishes can add color, texture, and aroma to your cocktails, making them more appealing and enjoyable. Straws can make it easier to sip your cocktails, especially if they are served in tall glasses or have a lot of ice. For example, you can add ice cubes, crushed ice, or whiskey stones, to your cocktails, depending on how cold and diluted you want them. You can add lemon or orange peels, cherries, olives, or mint leaves, to your cocktails, depending on the flavor and style of the drink. You can add paper or metal straws to your cocktails depending on your preference and environmental awareness.

Pair your cocktails with snacks, appetizers, or desserts.

Whiskey cocktails can be enjoyed on their own, or with some food that complements the whiskey flavor. You can choose snacks, appetizers, or desserts that are salty, savory, spicy, or sweet, depending on the type and mood of the cocktail. For example, you can pair your whiskey cocktails with cheese, nuts, crackers, popcorn, or pretzels for a simple and satisfying snack. You can pair your whiskey cocktails with meatballs, wings, sliders, nachos, or dips for a hearty and flavorful appetizer. You can pair your whiskey cocktails with chocolate, caramel, vanilla, or fruit, for a decadent and delicious dessert.

Whiskey cocktails are easy to make, versatile, and delicious. They can boost your morale, foster your teamwork, and reduce your stress. Whether you like bourbon, rye, or Irish whiskey, there is a cocktail for you. You can also use simple and accessible ingredients, adjust the sweetness, sourness, and bitterness, serve them in appropriate glasses, and pair them with snacks, appetizers, or desserts. We hope you have enjoyed this post and learned something new. We invite you to try these recipes and share your feedback, photos, or suggestions with us. You can leave a comment below, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to visit our website for more whiskey and workspace related content. Cheers!