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6 TWO INGREDIENT WHISKY COCKTAILS YOU CAN MAKE IN MINUTES

Sometimes you want to take the time to perfect a complex and carefully balanced cocktail that will seriously impress your guests and use almost all your bar cart equipment.

But other times, you’re after a quick and easy whisky drink. One that will satisfy thirsty friends in a flash, and be equally as impressive but with barely any effort.

That’s why it’s a smart idea to have a handful of two ingredient whisky cocktail recipes in your repertoire. We say recipes, but that’s a bit of a stretch when just two ingredients are involved! 

The great thing about whisky is that its bold flavours and aromas don’t need tons of accompaniments to make a delicious and refreshing drink. There’s a reason why on the rocks is one of the most popular ways to drink Scotch. Whisky is like the perfect cocktail on its own.

Having said that, we also love to jazz up whisky with some added ingredients to make exciting and vibrant cocktail concoctions that bring out its individual notes. And a great place to start is with simple two ingredient whisky drinks.

Here are some of our favourites…

Scotch & Soda

Simple, refreshing and so easy to make. The Scotch & Soda is a classic two ingredient whisky cocktail that almost everyone loves. Perfect for sunny afternoons, spring evenings and quick party serves.

Simply fill your glass with ice to keep things cool and pour in your desired ratio of The Glenlivet smooth scotch whisky and lemon soda. We love one part whisky to one part soda. But feel free to mix things up your way.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
150 ml
Soda
150 ml
Lemon Peel

METHOD

  1. Fill your glass full with ice.
  2. Add whisky and top with soda.
  3. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Whisky & cola

It would be scandalous to write about two ingredient whisky drinks without mentioning this ultimate favourite. 

Whisky and cola is a timeless combination that is beloved by all generations and all types of whisky drinkers. It’s a whisky cocktail that’s at home in the club, at the bar, or on a summer’s afternoon at home. 

We won’t insult your intelligence by giving you a “recipe” for this two ingredient whisky drink as such, but instead we’ll remind you of the golden rule; one part whisky to two parts cola – keep this in mind and you can’t really go wrong. 

(Avoiding diet versions of cola is also a good idea, as these can taste a little artificial, and good whisky deserves the real deal.)

So pick your favourite glass and fill with ice, add a shot of whisky and top up with cola. Garnish with an optional lime wedge for a bit of extra tang… sip sip hooray.

Auld Alliance

Auld Alliance combines sweet French wine and deep, rich The Glenlivet 18 Year Old, making for a seriously bold, bolshy and strong two ingredient whisky drink.

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old is a delicately balanced whisky with moreish citrus flavours that lends itself to special occasions. When paired with sweet Sauternes, the fruity flavours bounce off each other pleasantly and make for a delightful drinking experience.

This is a short drink that is the ideal way to end any momentous meal or evening with loved ones. Add an optional orange twist garnish for a bit of pizazz, or keep it simple with just the whisky and wine.

the glenlivet 18 year old auld alliance whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Whisky
35 ml
Sauternes
35 ml

METHOD

  1. Pour The Glenlivet 18 and wine into a mixing glass full of ice.
  2. Stir to chill and slightly dilute.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupette and garnish with an orange twist expressed over the drink.

The Godfather

A drink so good, you can’t refuse. That’s The Godfather. This whisky cocktail really packs a punch, despite being made with just two ingredients. The first, you guessed it. Smooth, slightly spiced scotch. We use The Glenlivet 15 Year Old which adds slightly honeyed nutty notes. The second, a pour of Amaretto for a lingering sweet almond taste.

Make it the classic way or make it your own by having a go at one of many variations, like the Godchild, which swaps Amaretto to cream.

the-glenlivet-the-godfather-cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
45 ml
Amaretto
15 ml
Zest of Orange, Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

METHOD

  1. Add all ingredients to a Mixing Vessel over Cubed Ice.
  2. Stir for 10-15 seconds.
  3. Strain into a Rocks Glass over Cubed Ice.
  4. Garnish with a Zest of Orange and a Maraschino Cherry.
  5. Serve.

Claymore

This two ingredient umeshu whisky cocktail uses The Glenlivet 12 Year Old and Umeshu, a Japanese liqueur – it’s a flavour match made in heaven.

Umeshu is made with ume, Japanese plum, and has a fruity and sweet yet slightly sour flavour that complements the caramelly pineapple notes of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old. 

You can up this whisky cocktail to a three ingredient offering by adding a juicy ripe plum for garnish, or simply stick to 40ml of whisky and 20ml of Umeshu Plum Sake if you don’t have any at hand.

Feel free to change the measures according to your own preference – with just two ingredients, it couldn’t be easier. Kanpai!

the glenlivet 12 year old Umeshu Claymore whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Whisky
40 ml
Umeshu Plum Sake
20 ml
Ripe Plum for Garnish

METHOD

  1. Stir ingredients with ice in a mixing glass.
  2. Strain over ice in a rocks glass.
  3. Garnish with slices of ripe plum.

Whisky & ginger beer

Whisky and ginger is another timeless flavour combination. Both are warming and slightly fiery, and the refreshing spiciness of ginger beer brings out the sweet notes in whisky perfectly.

Luckily for us, that also means that a delicious two ingredient cocktail can be made with just whisky and a cold can of ginger beer. What whisky you choose is totally up to you – keep it classic with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, or bring in some sweet and fruity flavours with The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve.

We’re going to say that ice doesn’t count as an ingredient here, so make sure this two ingredient whisky drink is served with plenty of the stuff for maximum warming, spicy refreshment. Yum.

Whisky & lemonade

If ginger beer isn’t your cup of tea (or snifter of whisky), then try whisky and lemonade.

The sweet yet sharp flavour profile of good lemonade goes great with the deep caramel notes of whisky, and together they make for a thirst quenching long whisky drink that can be made in just a few seconds.

You can pick whatever style of lemonade you like for this two ingredient whisky cocktail – whether it’s fizzy and sweet, still and sharp or carbonated and cloudy. 

See which type of lemonade you prefer with your whisky and play around with the quantities to find your ideal easy tipple.

Mango Tea Lime Smash

The Glenlivet Carribean Reserve is a classic single malt whisky that’s finished in barrels which once held Caribbean rum, giving it a subtle tropical edge.

One of our favourite ways to drink this bottle is within our whisky mango cocktail, but if you’re pressed for time and low on ingredients, a delicious two ingredient cocktail can be made with just The Glenlivet Carribean Reserve and a bottle of iced tea. 

We recommend opting for a fruity ice tea such as peach, mango or lemon, as the citrus flavours bring out the tropical twist in our whisky. You’re welcome to adjust the quantities however you like – you could make it a long drink with just a shot of Scotch, or keep it short and strong.

Either way, it’s a refreshing and ridiculously easy two ingredient whisky cocktail ideal for a warm afternoon lounging in the garden.

The beauty of whisky is in its versatility. With a little bit of mixology and flavour profile know-how, you can create endless tasty two ingredient whisky cocktails that will have all your friends thinking you’re a pro behind the bar.

Discover other ways to enjoy The Glenlivet with our whisky cocktail recipes, including Old Fashioned variations and fall whisky cocktails.

the glenlivet founders reserve mango tea lime smash whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
50 ml
Chilled Double Strong Mango Black Tea
37.5 ml
Simple Syrup or Honey Syrup
12.5 ml
Mint Leaves
8
Lime Wedges
3

METHOD

  1. Combine simple syrup, lime, and mint in shaker. Muddle.
  2. Add whisky, tea, and ice. Shake. Pour into glass.
  3. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint.