- Cocktails
When the Wild West Meets the East: DIY Cocktail Guy and Simon’s Winter Whiskey Cocktail
A DIY cocktail enthusiast walks into a Nashville-inspired whiskey bar. The result? Jarrod and Simon’s 3:10 to Yuzu Winter Whiskey Cocktail!
Blending the spiced notes of American rye whiskey with the subtle sweetness of Japanese whisky and the tangy freshness of yuzu, this cocktail showcases the best of when the worlds of the Wild West and East collide.
“I’ve chosen two whiskeys for this cocktail. The Chita Single Grain Whisky is going to bring heaps of body and then we’ve got the delicious High West Whiskey Double Rye,” Simon says. “The whiskeys definitely warm you up, perfect for winter I think,” Jarrod adds.
As the sun sets and the temperature drops, this is one winter cocktail that will be calling everyone — from whiskey novices to aficionados — to lounge back and sip away.
How to make:
Ingredients:
(Serves 2)
60mL of High West Whiskey Double Rye
60mL of The Chita Japanese Whisky
22mL of green tea syrup
30mL of fresh lemon juice
5mL of Barspoon Yuzu
2 drops of tamari
Star anise, to garnish
Method:
- Add 30mL of your green tea syrup into your cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. “I just used teabags that I had at home and it worked out perfectly,” Jarrod recommends.
- Add in 2 drops of tamari — a slightly less salty version of soy sauce.
- Next, you’ll need 5mL of Barspoon Yuzu, which brings citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit.
- Squeeze in half a lemon or about 30mL of lemon juice into your shaker.
- Pour 60mL of The Chita Japanese Whisky and 60mL of the High West Whiskey Double Rye into your cocktail shaker.
- Shake away!
- Place ice in your old fashioned glasses and evenly strain the cocktail over the ice.
- Add a star anise on top of each glass to garnish.
Firstly, what is yuzu?
If you were to mix lemon, mandarin and grapefruit together — you’d get yuzu. Sweet, sour and tangy, yuzu is a citrus grown predominantly throughout Japan and South Korea. Traditionally used in marinades and desserts, the unique and aromatic flavours of yuzu have increasingly taken the top spot on cocktail menus around the world. It pairs perfectly with gin and whiskey and it’s packed full of vitamin C — bonus!
Your quick guide to Japanese whisky
Delightfully smooth, light and known for drawing inspiration from organic flavours, Japanese distilleries have provided all whisky drinkers — from beginners to connoisseurs — with an approachable tipple to enjoy. If you’re in the market for a new whisky to try, keep reading for our quick guide.
The first ever single grain whisky from the House of Suntory, The Chita is destined to make a name for itself on the world stage. Matured in a combination of wine, Spanish oak and traditional American white oak casks, it delivers complex flavours with a slight hint of sweetness.
The result of 100 different batches of matured malt and grain whiskies blended together, Nikka Whisky from the Barrel gives a full-bodied, depth of taste that showcases a complex marriage of flavours and aromas.
As the name suggests, this notable distillery has an iconic slice of Japan to call home. Distilled at the foothills of Mt Fuji, expect flavourful notes of pear, apple, candied chestnut and orange peel. This drop is as memorable as its namesake.
Like the sound of the 3:10 to Yuzu? Try these other whiskey based cocktails perfect for sipping all winter long.
- Warm up with a Hot Toddy
Combine hot water, your whiskey of choice, lemon, honey, cinnamon and clove to stir up a toasty Hot Toddy. Perfect for slow sipping around a fire or as a nightcap at the end of the night, this hot cocktail is akin to a boozy cup of tea.
- Try the Retro Old Fashioned
If you’re in need of a winter warmer, a delicious Old Fashioned should be top of your list. Take your favourite rye whiskey or bourbon and add simple syrup, a couple dashes of Angostura bitters, aromatic orange peel, maraschino cherries and stir away. A little sweet and a little bitter, the boozy Old Fashioned is a winter classic for a reason.
- Mix it up with a Sazerac
Hailing from New Orleans and a close cousin of an Old Fashioned, the classy Sazerac will get you warmed up during the colder months. Along with a peppery rye whiskey, a sugar cube, bitters and zesty lemon peel, a Sazerac gets its flavour from the anise flavours of absinthe. It’s a cocktail that packs a punch, which makes it the perfect choice for once winter sets in.
Feeling inspired to make a winter whiskey warmer? Browse our huge range of whiskeys from around the world next time you’re in store, or if you’re a Sydney-sider, pop into Jolene’s to discover your latest whiskey obsession.
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