Festive Cocktails with Cardhu

Photography: Vasilis Kouroupis

Editor: Katerina Theocharis

Three Festive & Easy cocktails for all bon vivants out there.

With only a quarter remaining through our advent calendars, and C-day fast approaching, who wouldn’t wish to make a swanky repartee while enjoying on some good old slings around the Christmas tree? For the gentleman who does not have a pecking order of mixologists and servitors at your disposal, but simply wish to ply your guests with something bespoke, you can still rely on a classics like the effortless, generous spirit of Cardhu single malt whisky, and make things as smooth as possible on the night. It’s a MAN’s Class pays a home visit to Athens upper side, at its best-loved bistrot bar Papillon, and recreates an eclectic ambiance for your domestic pleasure, with 3 festive-appropriate and easy cocktails that will have your guests exclaim: Swell!

MAPLE OLD FASHIONED

Flowing like the conversation of excellent company, Cardhu’s smooth, sweet, mellow characters, drawn from the peat-softened waters of the Mannoch Hills, are the essential companion of any vivacious host. Its warmth and cleanliness of taste, often described as silky, will make your Maple Old Fashioned perfect for toasting, celebrating and sharing with old and new friends.

INGREDIENTS

60ml Cardhu Amber Rock Single Malt Whisky
8ml maple syrup
2 dashes of chocolate bitters

METHOD

Pour liquids into a cocktail shaker and stir with a spoon for a few seconds.
Serve into an old-fashioned glass, add a solid chunk of ice, and garnish with star anise and blueberries on a stick.

CARDHU CHRISTMAS TODDY

Produced by fermenting the sap of palm trees, the toddy also known as hot whisky has been accredited to Robert Bentley Todd for his prescription of a hot drink of brandy, canella (white cinnamon), sugar syrup, and water and has a long history of warming cockles. A smooth, beautifully structured and well-paced Speyside malt with a rich texture and a balance of sweet fruit, dark chocolate, toffee, and spice, makes the perfect base for this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

45ml Cardhu Gold Reserve Single Malt Whisky
1 teaspoon honey
15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
10ml hazelnut liqueur
3 seeds of nutmeg
1 stick of Ceylon cinnamon
1 cup (80ml) boiled water

METHOD

Place the teaspoon of honey on the bottom of a warm glass.

Add all the ingredients and finish with 1 cup of boiled water.

Stir until the honey has completely dissolved.

Serve hot.

CARDHU VEGAN MILK PUNCH

This old-English-via-New-Orleans classic feels like the winter sun.

Enticing and silky smooth, the quintessential Cardhu, glowing with notes of golden honey and delicate, fruity character, will definitely be a delicious companion to celebrate the holiday season!