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Light summer cocktails for balmy sunny afternoons

There’s nothing we enjoy more than to kick back, relax and soak up the sunshine with a summery whisky cocktail courtesy of The Glenlivet.

Traditionally, whisky is for when the weather turns damp and cold, but did you know it’s also the perfect spirit for warming up your summer cocktails? We know that whisky drinkers come in all forms, from those who like to party with a whisky cocktail in hand, to those who simply enjoy a tipple as the sun finally sets.

So whether you’ve a holiday booked, or are staying at home during the sunny months, be sure to read on for our top 15 light, refreshing summer cocktails.

Mango Tea Lime Smash

The fruity and fun Mango Tea Lime Smash leans on strong mango tea for its refreshing fruity tones, with a hint of lime to balance things out a bit. We’re thinking pool-side sunset. All you need to do is close your eyes and imagine it.

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.

Coco Breeze

Coco Breeze. You can almost taste it already! Of course using the smooth taste of Caribbean Reserve, place yourself on the beach with the waves rolling in. Simple and delicious. 

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
50 ml
Coconut Water
200 ml
Lime and Orange Peel (for Garnish)

METHOD

  1. Pour ingredients over ice into a highball glass.
  2. Stir and garnish with lime and orange twists.

New Fashioned Flight

There are so many flavours with the New Fashioned Flight, making it one of our most fun and experimental whisky cocktails. Mixing sweet and bitter for the perfect summer-time taste.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
2 Parts
Angostura Bitters
2 Dashes
Orange Bitters
2 Dashes
Maple Syrup
0.25 Parts

METHOD

  1. Build in glass with ice and stir
  2. Garnish with a lemon twist and a mint sprig

Japanese Summer

Experience the wonderful taste of the Japanese Summer. This fruity and sweet whisky cocktail simply must be enjoyed in the outdoors or countryside, with the natural aromas of your environment complementing an already herbaceous cocktail.

the glenlivet 12 year old japanese summer whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
40 ml
Sencha and Red Berries Cold Brew Tea
35 ml
Lime Sherbet
10 ml
Soda Water
55 ml
Red Berries on Stem for Garnish
Loose Leaf Sencha and Red Berries Tea (for the Tea)
5 g

METHOD

  1. Add fresh ice cubes to a highball or double walled glass.
  2. Pour cold brew sencha and red berries tea, lime sherbet and The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve into the glass.
  3. Top with soda water and stir lightly to incorporate the ingredients.
  4. Garnish with red berries on stem.

Paper Plane

Incorporating the quintessential summertime drink, Aperol, the Paper Plane is a sour but summery whisky cocktail to be enjoyed at those late summer evening dinner parties. 

Paper Plane whisky cocktail - The Glenlivet

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
25 ml
Aperol
25 ml
Amaro
25 ml
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
25 ml

METHOD

  1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with Cubed Ice.
  2. Shake.
  3. Double Strain into a chilled Coupe.
  4. Garnish with Orange Zest.
  5. Serve.

Punch Fresco

If you can name a more refreshing taste than watermelon, we’ll be impressed. Add chunks of watermelon (and more!) to The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve to create the Punch Fresco, ideal for serving in large groups! We’re licking our lips just thinking about how refreshing that first taste will be.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
75 ml
Watermelon Chunks
4
Watermelon Juice (Alternative to Watermelon Chunks)
75 ml
Sugar Cane or Agave
1 tsp
Tajin (for Garnish)

METHOD

  1. Muddle all ingredients.
  2. Add ice.
  3. Garnish with mint and watermelon slice.
  4. Optional garnish: Rim of Tajin.

Pineapple Lime Smash

Our refresh of the classic Piña Colada! The Pineapple Lime Smash is the ideal fruity whisky smash to enjoy when the sun is blazing, you’re overheating, and you’re craving something light. Set up the deckchairs and make the most of the fading summer’s evening sun with this cocktail in hand.

the glenlivet caribbean reserve pineapple lime smash whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
50 ml
Chilled Pineapple Juice
37.5 ml
Lime Wedges
2
Simple Syrup
12.5 ml
Mint Leaves
8

METHOD

  1. Combine simple syrup, lime and mint within shaker. Muddle.
  2. Add whisky and ice. Shake and pour into glass.
  3. Top with chilled pineapple juice.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint.

Grain and Cane

We appreciate those willing to dare with new flavours! The Grain and Cane whisky cocktail brings in the flavour of white balsamic vinegar and raspberries, to create an unforgettable taste experience. Show this one off to your dinner guests!

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
50 ml
Fresh Raspberries
5
Lemon Juice
15 ml
White Balsamic Vinegar
5 ml
Simple Syrup
15 ml

METHOD

  1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over crushed ice in a highball glass.
  2. Garnish with fresh raspberries and a grind of black pepper.

Elderflower Collins

We love the taste of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. We love the taste of elderflower. It’s just as well there is a cocktail combining those two very things, the Elderflower Collins. So light, and so fresh.

Elderflower Collins The Glenlivet

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
50 ml
Elderflower Cordial
10 ml
Lemon Juice
5 ml
Soda
Top up with

METHOD

  1. Build in glass.
  2. Garnish with cucumber ribbon.

Golden Storm

Ginger is so great because it suits both the winter and the summer. The Golden Storm is essentially the perfect storm of ginger, lemon and The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. Fingers crossed for no actual storms, of course.

Golden Storm Cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
50 ml
Lemon Juice
20 ml
Golden Ginger Syrup
25 ml
Soda Water
120 ml
Ginger Root (for the Syrup)
1 tsp

METHOD

  1. Stir together The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, lemon juice and golden ginger syrup in a tall glass with cubed ice.
  2. Top up with soda water.
  3. Garnish with a sliced ginger and pieces of crystallised ginger.

Full Scottish Marmalade

Scottish marmalade for a Scottish whisky. Enjoy a fruity, sweet and fun marmalade whisky cocktail with the Full Scottish Marmalade. You’ve just got to try this one if you want a unique scotch experience.

the glenlivet 15 year old full scottish marmalade whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old Whisky
50 ml
Lemon Juice
20 ml
White Port or Ruby Port
15 ml
Simple Syrup
5 ml
Orange Marmalade
15 ml

METHOD

  1. Place all ingredients (including the marmalade) in a cocktail shaker and shake hard.
  2. Strain into a whisky tumbler filled with cubed ice.
  3. Garnish with thin strips of orange zest similar to the ones found in marmalade.

Peterhead Harbour

It’s time for a visit to Peterhead Harbour, and you’re coming with us! With melon tones to match The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, it’s the perfect combination for a light, relaxing summer evening tipple.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
35 ml
Midori
25 ml
Lemon Juice
25 ml
Fee Brother’s Peach Bitters
2 dash
Soda
120 ml

METHOD

  1. Build in Glass.

The Captain’s Quarter

Experience North African spice around the barbecue with The Captain’s Quarter, with the sweetness of apple juice and freshness of mint. Light up the BBQ and serve a wonderfully popular whisky cocktail for your guests.

the glenlivet captains reserve captains quarter whisky julep

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve Whisky
60 ml
Fresh Red Apple Juice
30 ml
Green Cardamom Syrup
15 ml
Poire William
7.5 ml
Mint for Garnish
Cardamom pods for Garnish

METHOD

  1. Build and churn in a julep tin.
  2. Garnish with mint sprigs and cardamom pods.

Valley of the Bees

Bees and cocktails, two staples of the summer. The Scottish eco-system is magically represented in Valley of the Bees, honouring the vital work bees do to keep the Scottish Highlands beautiful. The sweetness of the honey makes for a wonderfully smooth summer whisky cocktail experience.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
50 ml
Heather Honey Syrup
7.5 ml
Aromatic Bitters
1 dash(es)
Lemon
Orange
Heather Flowers (for the Syrup)
20 g
Heather Honey (for the Syrup)
300 ml

METHOD

  1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled.
  2. Strain over a large ice ball into a glass.
  3. Twist the oils of lemon and orange peel to finish.

Carnivale

While some might spend their summers partying hard, we’re keeping things low-key with the Carnivale, a laid-back whisky cocktail for whisky drinkers who like to do things in first gear. Coconut water makes for a soft flavour, suited to those who like to take things slow on their summer evenings.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
50 ml
Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
10 ml
Coconut Water
120 ml
Amargo Chuncho
1 dash(es)

METHOD

  1. Add The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, fresh lime and coconut water to a highball glass half full of crushed ice and stir.
  2. Fill the glass with crushed ice, taking care not to bring the level of the liquid up too high.
  3. Dash with the Amargo Chuncho bitters.

So there you are. 15 of our favourite summer whisky cocktails to cater for all types of whisky drinker. 

If you’re looking for more of where this came from, including cocktails not exclusively for the summer, check out our comprehensive whisky drinks collection. We’ve got everything from refreshing whisky cocktails to variations on the classic Old Fashioned.