Add an extra sparkle to your party with Haig Club and Haig Clubman, the perfect base for Christmas cocktails.
Cocktails always add an extra bit of sparkle to an occasion, which makes them perfect Christmas party drinks. So I was thrilled when Haig asked me if I’d like to try using their whisky to mix some festive drinks.
Whether you choose Haig Club or Clubman as the basis for your drinks, you’re sure to add some festive sparkle to your celebrations!
You have probably seen the iconic Haig Club blue bottles before, and their adverts are very eye catching as well!
Haig Club whisky was created in partnership with David Beckham, and it’s a very smooth, sippable whisky with notes of toffee and butterscotch. It’s perfect for drinking neat or with ice, and makes a fantastic base for a winter cocktail.
While Haig Club Clubman whisky is a single grain whisky matured in bourbon casks, and has a smooth, light flavour with notes of vanilla and dried fruit. It’s perfect for serving neat or over ice, and is also ideal for use in cocktails.
So here are four suggestions for whisky-based cocktails that you could try mixing up this Christmas. They’re all quick and easy to make, and each of these recipes makes one glass.
Rusty Nail
This is probably my favourite whisky cocktail, though I wish that someone would give it a more attractive name!
Simply fill a tumbler with ice, and add 50ml of Haig Club and 25ml of Drambuie. Stir gently and add a twist of lemon.
Alternatively, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the whisky and Drambuie. Stir until chilled and then strain into a stemmed cocktail glass, before garnishing with the twist of lemon.
Haig Club & Ginger Ale
Whisky and ginger are two flavours that are perfect for each other. To make this cocktail, fill a hi-ball glass with ice and pour over 50ml of Haig Club. Top up with ginger ale (I like Fever-Tree Ginger Ale), and then garnish with a slice of lime or orange.
Haig Club Rose Fizz
This cocktail is slightly sweeter than the others. You could serve it in a standard champagne flute, but I just love my vintage champagne saucers. They’re very 1950’s!
To make a Haig Club Rose Fizz, pour 1-2 drops of rosewater onto a white sugar cube and add it to the bottom of your chosen glass. Pour over 25ml of Haig Club whisky, and then top the glass up with Champagne or whatever fizz you have to hand.
If you prefer a more aromatic flavour, you could replace the rosewater with 1-2 drops of Angostura bitters to make a Scotch Royale.
Rob Roy
If you’ve ever sipped on a Manhattan cocktail, then this is very similar. A Manhattan is made using rye whisky or bourbon, while the Rob Roy uses scotch whisky.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add 5oml of Haig Club whisky, 25ml of sweet vermouth and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir well until chilled and then strain into a stemmed glass or a tumbler filled with ice if you prefer.
This cocktail should be garnished with a maraschino cherry, but I couldn’t track down a jar in any of my local shops! Don’t they know it’s nearly Christmas?
Winter Spiced Espresso Martini
Simply fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and pour over 50ml Haig Club Clubman, 50ml Crème de Cacao, 50ml Espresso and a pinch of cinnamon.
Give it all a good shake, and then strain into a martini glass, before garnishing with a few coffee beans. Delicious!