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If you fancy drinking something light, don’t just head for clear spirits. Whisky gets a bad rep for being strong and powerful, but its smooth, fruity notes are actually perfect for those lighter cocktail recipes.
Here are the most light and refreshing whisky cocktails to keep you cool this summer season. And if you want to go easy on the alcohol, make yours with Ballantine’s Light, it may half the ABV but it’s still got all the flavour.
A classic whisky smash is the original light whisky cocktail. Made with fresh lemon juice and mint leaves, it’s all about those summer flavours. Shake scotch, lemon, mint and sugar syrup together with ice for a good few seconds and strain.
Traditionally a whisky highball is a refreshing mix of whisky and soda. Made as strong or light as you like. But really you can use any mixer be it juice, fizzy drinks or something else. We’ve got 20 whisky highball recipes to get you started.
No drink is quite as light and refreshing as the whisky mule. This warming summer twist on the Moscow Mule is a classic combination of ginger beer, lime juice and Ballantine’s scotch whisky. Guaranteed to become your new go-to.
Say hello to the ultimate light whisky drink; perfect for any occasion. The whisky cola might be a simple pairing but it’s a real crowd pleaser. Serve yours with tons of ice and a wedge of lime squeezed around the rim of the glass for some extra zing.
Simple and refreshing. This zingy Kentucky Mule recipe is soon to be your new go-to, but don’t just take our word for it, try it for yourself!
TRY ITQuench your thirst with a light whisky tonic on a hot summer’s day – or a cold spring evening… we don’t make the rules. Best served highball style with ice and a large wedge of lemon.
No one said light drinks have to be boring. Our summer mix combines a few fruity ingredients to make a pitcher perfect cocktail for your next gathering. Add elderflower cordial, soda water and Crème de Mûre to whisky and cranberry juice. Then top with a few handfuls of apple slices and your favourite red berries.
Whip up a round of whisky and lemonade to please a crowd in seconds. We make ours with Ballantine’s Brasil for an extra lime kick but feel free to swap in for our light whisky spirit drink.
What could be more refreshing than an iced tea cocktail? Not much. This warm yet light recipe is a serious pick-me-up, mixing warming smooth whisky with sweet tea and lemon. Make enough for everyone, this drink is in high demand.
This sweet and refreshing pick-me-up is guaranteed to make you MVP of the BBQ. If it doesn’t rain, that is.
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This may look like a standard julep but inside that tin cup is a delicious secret: lime and ginger. Mix it up for a spicy sweet hit suitable for any occasion.
TRY ITServe up a scotch with ginger ale for a light yet spicy drink that goes perfectly with your backyard BBQ. This refreshing combo is unmistakably delicious and looks top notch garnished with a lime wedge and sprig of mint.
Get your julep on with our spiced whisky take on this classic recipe. Our ginger mint julep has a few tricks up its sleeve and is certain to make you the MVP of cocktail hour. Muddle it to your liking with lime, fresh ginger and a generous bunch of mint.
Our zingy twist on a Scotch Collins mixes lemon juice and bitters with Ballantine’s Brasil whisky to make one of our favourite refreshers for sunset sessions. It’s the ideal drink for spontaneous gatherings – get the speakers on and the cocktail shaker out.
Green tea is the ultimate light drink. So naturally a green tea cocktail is on the cards. Make yours with Ballantine’s whisky, soda water and lemon. There’s not much to it but it’s sure to impress.
Go tropical with a light lychee cocktail. The subtle sweetness of this eastern fruit goes perfectly with the smooth honeyed scotch, brought together whisky sour style with fresh lemon and sugar syrup.
Get the music cranking and sip a scotch and soda cocktail – it doesn’t get easier, or better, than this. Serve quality soda water with your favourite bottle of Ballantine’s for a light and refreshing drink this summer.
Summer time, and the living’s pitchin’. Add lemon slices and halved green grapes, Ballantine’s Finest, fresh lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, and top with Lemonade. Give it a good stir and pour out a round.
TRY ITGet juicy with our summer pitcher cocktail, a fun and simple mix of lemon, whisky and Lillet Blanc. This light combo always goes down a storm with any crowd – even if the sun doesn’t shine.
Take yourself to Bonnie Scotland with this sweet and creamy whisky raspberry cocktail. It’s a fun recipe for shaking up behind the scenes or in front of guests for serious host points.
Fancy something fun and fizzy? Give an orange soda and whisky a whirl. It’s basically an adults only Fanta – what’s not to like? Our recipe calls for Ballantine’s Passion to boost those sweet tropical fruit flavours.
Add some sour to your light whisky drink with a generous glug of grapefruit soda. This tangy fruit is surprisingly refreshing and likely to become a new favourite ingredient in your cocktail shaking game. Get the recipe for our whisky grapefruit cocktail to get started.
Keep it poppin with this zingy fresh recipe that packs a serious flavour punch. Our whisky and apple juice cocktail is easy to make and easy to drink. An obvious choice for BBQ season.
Find more ways to drink Ballantine’s whisky your way with our collection of whisky cocktail recipes including classic whisky mixers and the best beach bucket cocktails for summer.
Be it in a cocktail or in a takeaway, we love a good sweet and sour flavour profile here at Ballantine’s.
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Mix scotch with cider or juice to create these delicious apple and whisky mixed drinks, including hot and cool recipes for summer and winter.
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You already know we’ve nailed the Finest Whisky to ever grace a glass. But that’s just a little drop of what we’re about. Scroll on for the latest news and features from across the world of Ballantine’s whisky, True Music and much, much more.
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