Cold or Hot? Serve these 7 whisky drinks however you like

We selected four ice cold Ballantine’s whisky cocktails and then turned up the heat for a hot-damn-that’s-good alternative. All taste buds are covered as we go from timeless classics like the Hot Toddy, to serves we can guarantee you’ve never tried before like the Ballantine’s New True Sour.

So, whether you like your whisky cocktails served warm or prefer to keep things cool, there’s something for you to enjoy.

See our recipes for the best drinks served hot and cold, and take your pick (or why not try both!).

Round 1: Ballantine’s Hot Chocolate vs Ballantine’s Shake.

Strawberries and cream. Batman and Robin. Whisky and coke. Some things are just meant to go together. And if a frosty evening and a warming whisky hot chocolate aren’t the perfect match then we don’t know what is. Indulgent, rich, chocolatey goodness with a sweet whisky kick. An ideal treat for those days when you feel like going all out. Top with lashings of whipped cream and your favourite toppings. We’re thinking marshmallows and chocolate shavings for starters. You could even shake things up by adding orange zest or desiccated coconut.

Speaking of shaking things up, there’s something about a whisky milkshake that just hits different on a hot day. Part dessert, part drink and part Ballantine’s, think of it as hot chocolate’s cooler, creamier cousin. Serve in a mason jar glass and decorate with any and all of the sweet treats you can think of.

Round 2:  Ballantine’s Cider Punch.

Cider has entered the chat…

We’ve got a tasty option to get the celebrations started at this weekend’s gathering. And do you know what makes this cider punch so great? It can be enjoyed hot or cold. If it’s a scorcher of a day, add fresh wheels of orange and lemon and slices of crispy apple along with plenty of ice to a highball glass. Pop in a straw and you’ve got a fruity and refreshing summer serve. But if it’s whisky Christmas drinks you’re after, heat until warm and garnish with a cinnamon stick, citrus peel and sugared cranberries for a festive beverage.

Round 3: Ballantine’s Hot Toddy vs Ballantine’s Honey & Cinnamon Highball.

The Hot Toddy is a certified classic but we’ve put a Ballantine’s twist on this much-loved drink. Once you’ve mixed the ingredients, added boiling water and finished with a lemon slice and cloves, all that’ll be left to do is grab your cosiest blanket and snuggle into your favourite spot on the sofa.

If you prefer to play it cool, then why not give our honey cinnamon whisky highball a go? It’s fresh and sweet yet a little spicy. It’s made with cinnamon syrup, bitters and ginger beer making it a drink that gives a nod to the warmth of a Hot Toddy but reinvents it in a refreshing new way.

Round 4: Ballantine’s Cranberry Christmas Cocktail vs Ballentine’s New True Sour

If you’re looking for festive cocktail recipes, then the hunt is over. Both of these seasonal serves are perfect for Christmas drinks parties, to sip on as you decorate the tree, or enjoy on the couch watching your favourite festive film (yes, Die Hard does count).

Our whisky Christmas cocktail combines so many tastes of the season with cranberry, pear, cinnamon and cloves all in the mix, as well as Ballantine’s blended scotch whisky, of course. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser (and warmer) when served hot but there’s no reason it can’t be enjoyed chilled. You could even top it with soda or lemonade to give it some fizz.

For a merry and thirst-quenching variation of a New York Sour, we’ve added ripe pear and spices to our recipe. When the ingredients are added slowly to the right whisky glasses, layers are formed that almost look like a bed of freshly lain snow, Santa’s suit, and his fluffy beard. Serve this cocktail at a family get-together and it’s sure to raise some smiles.

Find more ways to enjoy Ballantine’s scotch whisky in our whisky drink library, featuring cinnamon whisky drinks and NYE cocktail recipes for the winter months alongside beach bucket cocktail recipes and summer BBQ cocktails for when the sun is shining.