Impress your mates at your next soiree with these easy-to-make whiskey cocktail recipes.

We’ve compiled a list of our top 5 whiskey cocktail recipes courtesy of the team at small batch Kentucky Whiskey Woodford Reserve. Forget the fact you’re not an expert mixologist, whip up any one of these cocktails for instant connoisseur status amongst friends and family.

Mint Julep

Ingredients:

• 50ml Woodford Reserve ‘Distiller’s Select’
• 15ml simple syrup
• 6 mint leaves
• Handful of crushed ice
• 1 mint stem

Method: Express the essential oils in the mint and rub them inside a glass or copper cup. To the same glass or copper cup, add simple syrup, Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select and crushed ice. Stir.

Garnish: more ice and fresh mint.

What is simple syrup?

Simple syrup is nothing more than a solution of sugar in water, and because the sugar is already dissolved into the water, you don’t need to worry about it settling to the bottom of your cocktail as you drink.

Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 10 ml sugar syrup
• 3 x Dashes of Bitters
• Orange twist

Method: Add ingredients to mixing glass with ice. Stir ingredients for 30-40 seconds. Strain over ice into Old Fashioned glass. Squeeze orange peel over the drink to release essence.

Garnish: Orange peel

Bourbon Punch

Ingredients:

• 45ml Woodford Reserve
• 60ml Lemonade
• 30ml Pomegranate Juice
• Garnish with a lemon twist

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and pour into a tall glass.

Garnish: with a lemon twist

Double Oaked Sour

Ingredients:

• 60ml Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
• 20ml Lemon Juice
• 20ml Honey Syrup

Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over ice in an old fashioned glass.

Garnish: with a candied ginger or a lemon peel.

Manhattan

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey
• 1 part Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura or aromatic bitters

Method: Add ingredients to the mixing glass. Fill mixing glass with ice. Stir ingredients for 30-40 secs. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Garnish: with a bourbon-infused cherry.

Please remember to always drink responsibly.