In celebration of two centuries of originality and craftsmanship, we recently marked The Glenlivet’s 200 year anniversary with a milestone dinner, paying homage to our history while embracing the future of whisky.
This immersive event invited guests to journey through the rich legacy of The Glenlivet, pairing bespoke dishes with innovative whisky cocktails crafted by Emilio Giovanazzi, head bartender at the iconic American Bar at Gleneagles. These drinks showcased local Scottish ingredients and highlighted the nuanced tasting notes of The Glenlivet’s distinguished single malts.
Each cocktail was meticulously designed, featuring complex techniques, specialist equipment, and rare ingredients to elevate the experience. While creating these serves in their exact form might be challenging, they serve as a source of inspiration for anyone looking to craft unique whisky cocktails. With a little creativity, you can adapt these recipes using accessible ingredients while capturing the essence of The Glenlivet’s signature style.
Here we take a look at the cocktails served and share how you can recreate them at home.
The Glenlivet 200 Years Highball
Refreshing, light, and herbaceous, The Glenlivet 200 Years Highball pays tribute to the verdant landscape surrounding The Glenlivet estate. Using The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Limited Edition, this cocktail balances delicate herbal notes with the whisky’s signature orchard fruit flavors. Raspberry leaf and nettle cordial lend subtle earthiness, while heather honey adds a touch of sweetness, all brought together with the effervescence of Cushiedoos tonic water.
Ingredients:
- 40ml The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Limited Edition
- 20ml ‘Estate Cordial’ (made with heather honey, raspberry leaf, and nettles)
- Cushiedoos Tonic Water
Served in a highball glass with a spear of ice.
How to recreate The Glenlivet 200 Years Highball at home:
Start with The Glenlivet’s Scotch and Soda recipe as your base. For a creative twist, infuse flavors like honey, raspberry leaf tea, or nettle into your cordial to replicate the estate-inspired essence.
Assemble by combining The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Limited Edition and your infused cordial over ice in a highball glass, then top with Cushiedoos tonic for a sparkling finish.
Malted Barley Old Fashioned
The Malted Barley Old Fashioned reimagines this classic whisky cocktail with a malty, smoky twist. Crafted with The Glenlivet 21 Year Old, this cocktail gains depth from grist syrup, a sweetener derived from malted barley and earthy pine bitters. The whisky’s rich dried fruit and spice notes are elevated by these additions, creating a drink that’s bold yet balanced.
Ingredients:
- 60ml The Glenlivet 21 Year Old
- 10ml Grist Syrup
- 5ml New Make Pine Bitters
Served in a rocks glass over a block of ice. Garnished with barley and edible flowers.
How to recreate the Malted Barley Old Fashioned at home:
Begin with The Glenlivet’s Old Fashioned recipe, swapping in The Glenlivet 21 Year Old for its sophisticated depth. Add a dash of pine-flavoured bitters and a hint of barley-forward whisky to capture the original’s malty essence. Finish with a garnish of edible flowers and a sprig of barley for a visually stunning serve.
Shortbread Milk Punch
This inventive take on milk punch blends the creamy richness of shortbread with the zesty brightness of Earl Grey tea. The Glenlivet 15 Year Old provides a nutty, velvety base, while the milk washing technique creates a smooth, clarified finish. The result is a cocktail that’s as indulgent as it is elegant.
Ingredients (serves approximately 20 guests):
- 1050ml The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
- 700ml Earl Grey tea
- 350ml Whole Milk
- 55ml Citric acid
- 700g Shortbread biscuits
- 140ml Gomme syrup
- 45ml 20% saline solution
Served in a rocks glass over a block of ice.
How to recreate the Shortbread Milk Punch at home:
For a single-serve version, The Glenlivet’s Scotch Milk Punch recipe is an excellent starting point. Add a splash of freshly brewed Earl Grey tea and a touch of citrus juice to mimic the original’s layered flavors.
Serve with a garnish of shortbread biscuits to tie the pairing together.
Whisky Coconut Flip
The Whisky Coconut Flip is a dessert-like cocktail with a tropical twist. Using The Glenlivet 18 Year Old, this cocktail combines coconut cream with hints of basil, vanilla and saffron, creating a velvety texture and complex flavor profile. The whisky’s rich fruitiness pairs beautifully with the exotic ingredients, resulting in a bold and indulgent serve.
Ingredients:
- 45ml The Glenlivet 18 Year Old
- 30ml Coconut Milk
- 20ml Melon Sorrel Verjus (acidic green juice)
- Garnish: Basil, vanilla, and saffron drops
Stir after serving for a silky finish without foam.
How to recreate the Whisky Coconut Flip at home:
The Glenlivet’s Coco Noche recipe provides the perfect base for this creamy cocktail. Replace almond extract with a tropical liqueur or aromatic bitters to match the original’s unique flavour.
For the finishing touch, garnish with vibrant saffron drops and a basil leaf for a cocktail that tastes as good as it looks.
The Glenlivet’s 200-year anniversary was a celebration of tradition and innovation, exemplified by these four unique whisky cocktails. From the herbaceous notes of the 200 Years Highball to the tropical decadence of the Whisky Coconut Flip, each drink reflects the artistry and thoughtfulness that define The Glenlivet.
Find out how else we’ve celebrated The Glenlivet’s 200-year journey. Then all that’s left to do is gather your ingredients and toast to the next 200 years of whisky excellence.
