9 ways to pair your whisky cocktails with food
You can’t go wrong when pairing whisky with food. It’s a smooth, sweet spirit with hints of spice, sourness and savoury notes. Take Ballantine’s Finest for example. Our signature bottle of blended scotch balances subtle sweetness with a fresh, floral finish. Perfect for pairing with sweet or salty dishes.
But when it comes to serving cocktails, it doesn’t hurt to find complimentary flavours. Choose a drink that brings out a dish’s sweet side. Or contrast a sour serve with salty ingredients. However you pair it, pair it your way and Stay True to your liking.
Here are some of our favourite food pairings with whisky cocktails to get you started.
Iced Sweet Tea
Pair with: BBQ chicken wings
This iced tea cocktail recipe was made for sunny backyard sessions. So get the barbie on and turn up the tunes to set the scene for this summer serve. Sweet, fresh and easy to make, it’s a pitcher perfect drink to whip up whilst the food’s cooking. We like ours with sticky chicken wings that compliment that sweetness.
Old Fashioned
Pair with: grilled steak
When it comes to whisky and food pairings, this one’s a classic. An Old Fashioned is a timeless drink. And a rich juicy steak is a can’t-go-wrong order. Pair the two and you get an epic combo of good ingredients served well. Make it your own way with an orange twist or peppery steak sauce. Trust us, this cocktail will be on repeat.
Whisky Shake
Pair with: iced ring doughnuts
Call it a pairing, call it a dessert. We don’t care – just make sure to try it. This Whisky Milkshake recipe mixes ice cream, cream and liquid chocolate with a kick of scotch. But that’s not all. Really, it’s all about the toppings. And what’s more extra than an iced ring doughnut? Sweetness on top of sweetness. That’s what this pairing’s all about.
Honey and Cinnamon Highball
Pair with: ginger shortbread cookies
If you like a hot toddy you’ll love this cocktail. Poured on the rocks, it’s a perfect serve for summer evenings and winter nights by the fire. The Honey and Cinnamon Highball has two main flavours in its name. But a pour of spiced ginger beer is what gives it extra kick. Serve with sugary, spiced shortbread for a sweet snack on the side.
Sweet Vestige
Pair with: a cheese board
Fruit and cheese have been a classic pairing for centuries. As have fruit and whisky. This pairing is what happens when we combine the three. Sweet Vestige is a sweet whisky cocktail with notes of fig, ginger and honey. So it’s an obvious choice to go alongside your next cheese night. Take sips between slices of Manchego or creamy Brie topped with fig.
Berry Beer
Pair with: takeaway pizza
Up your pizza and beer nights with Berry Beer. The sweet, tangy combo of lager, berries and Ballantine’s Finest whisky makes a satisfying sip between slices. Whether you’re pro pineapple or anti. What’ll be your order?
Cherry Whisky Sour
Pair with: rich chocolate cake
If you like Black Forest you’ll love this whisky cocktail food pairing. Our take on a classic dessert sees a cherry twist on a whisky sour. AKA the Cherry Sour. Sweet, tart fruit blends with smooth scotch for an easy sipper. Flavours that go perfectly with your best chocolate cake recipe, the richer the better.
Sazerac Twist
Pair with: smoked salmon bagels
A smoky twist on a classic cocktail. Our version of a Sazerac contains a simple mix of scotch, bitters and absinthe. Freshened with a twist of lemon. The richness and complexity of Ballantine’s 17 year old whisky pairs wonderfully with a lighter dish that lets the drink take centre stage. A classic duo; smoked salmon and cream cheese is just the ticket.
Discover more ways to mix up your cocktail hour with our collection of whisky drinks. There’s everything from dessert cocktails to whisky mixers. A recipe for every occasion.
