With Summer coming up just around the corner, its time to bust out some of my favourite Summertime Society pairings. From cocktails to whisky pops and the perfect nightcap, I’ll give you three ways to kick start your Summer, Society style!
Highballin’ with peat
It is no secret how much I love highballs in the summer. When the sun is just beaming down on you as you float around a pool, or cool off at the beach, there nothing like a crisp and refreshing highball to quench your thirst! I am tempted to make one as I write this! There are some great variations of highballs, and while they are mostly all delicious, I will say that my favourite version is when peat is involved! Yes, peated cask strength summertime goodness in a glass, to not only quench your thirst but give those peated drams we usually save for the winter a time to shine in the Summertime! I recently made one with Distillery 10 Small Batch Release ‘Smoky Maritime Hit’ and it was amazing! The PX adds just a hint of sweetness encompassed in those briny ocean air notes! The recipe goes a little something like this:
- First, grab a highball glass or tumbler and fill with ice
- Add 1 oz. Smoky Maritime Hit
- Add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- Top with chilled club soda
Give that a quick stir, and top with a lemon twist! I typically add a 0.5 oz of honey simple syrup, but this whisky adds just the right bit of sweetness for me. If you like things a wee bit sweeter, go for the honey syrup too!
Whisky Pops!
While I may be a full-grown adult woman, I still love a popsicle in the summer time. In fact, it is about time to stock my freezer with those perfect ice-cold sweet treats, but this time with whisky pops! That’s right, a mash-up of Society whisky and popsicles. A match made in heaven? Well, you’ll have to make them and let me know! My favorite mash up is with lemonade and whiskies from our Juicy, Oak and Vanilla flavour profile. To make them, you’ll need the following:
- ¼ cup of your favorite Juicy, Oak and Vanilla Society whisky
- 2 1/2 cups of lemonade (I’ll leave which lemonade up to you, but the frozen concentrate works great!)
- Fresh mint leaves
- Popsicle mold
In a bowl, mix your whisky and lemonade and pour into your popsicle molds. Feel free to toss in a few fresh mint leaves if you’d like. Freeze overnight and enjoy outdoors the next day!
The perfect night cap
All winter long I look forward to warm summer nights. After long days at the beach or by the pool, it’s nice to sit outside with a dram in hand, looking up at the stars to have a moment to reflect. Special nights like this deserve a special whisky, and Cask No. 115.20 ‘The Upside Down’ is just the dram! While the notes of honey and leather swirl about, there are these gorgeous pops of chamomile and spice that encompass it all and make for a perfect way to end the day. I dare say a moment of peace while looking up at the stars with a dram in hand, just may be the best pairing of all!
After a year like we all have had, this Summer brings hope of better times. I hope these few pairings bring you some fun and joy, and encourage you to explore with your Society whiskies. Whether you enjoy your Society whiskies neat, in popsicles, or in cocktail form, we hope you do so safely, and with a very big smile on your face. And most importantly, have fun. I mean, that’s truly what whisky should be, after all.
Happy Summer!
Jenna Elie
