08/2/23

Elevate Your Summer with Stranahan’s: Counting Down the Best Whiskey Cocktails for Summer

Ah, summertime. Fun in the sun, backyard BBQs, picnics, and outdoor activities enjoyed with your favorite people–these are the memories that will keep us warm when summer turns to fall. 

Over here at Stranahan’s, we’ve got a few ideas about how to turn any summer gathering into a party to remember. No matter where your palate leans—sweet, sour, or somewhere in between—these well-crafted, fresh, and summery whiskey cocktails will crank up the vibe.

Why Stranahan’s American Single Malt is the Perfect Choice for Your Summer Cocktails

Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey has the Rocky Mountains in its DNA. Stranahan’s is handcrafted from grain to glass in small batches from malted barley and Rocky Mountain water, and aged in oak barrels until it’s time to enjoy. Most whiskey enthusiasts enjoy Stranahan’s neat or on the rocks. Still, true aficionados know it also makes some of the most distinctive whiskey cocktails you’ll ever imbibe. 

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite whiskey-based summer cocktails to celebrate the season. There are plenty of ideas here to satisfy every palate and skill level, from the budding mixologist to the superstar professional.

Best Summer Cocktails to Enjoy with Stranahan’s American Whiskey

Whiskey has a reputation as a cold-weather spirit, but these refreshing recipes are a way to cool down this summer while still enjoying your favorite whiskey.

MOUNTAIN JAM JULEP

A traditional mint julep recipe calls for bourbon, but Stranahan’s Blue Peak and fresh summer peaches take it to the next level.

• 3 oz Blue Peak
• 2 oz peach nectar
• 1 oz honey mint simple syrup
• 4 dashes barrel aged Blue Peak bitters

Add ingredients to the shaker and shake to combine. Strain into a Julep cup filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a peach slice and a sprig of mint.

Batch it

• Multiply quantities by four and pour into a large glass pitcher. Stir well to combine and store in the fridge until party time. Serve over crushed ice.

SUMMER VACATION

Sip your way to a tropical escape with the ‘Summer Vacation’ cocktail – a smooth blend of whiskey and refreshing fruit flavors.
Muddle together in a highball glass:

• 2 oz Stranahan’s Blue Peak
• 4 oz chilled hibiscus tea
• .75 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz fresh pineapple juice
• .5 oz simple syrup
• 6 leaves fresh mint

Combine all ingredients into shaker and strain into highball glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint.

CAVIAR DREAMS

Experience the ultimate luxury with ‘Caviar Dreams’—a deliciously extravagant and delightful drink.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the following:

• 2 oz Stranahan’s Original
• .25 oz dry vermouth
• .25 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters

Shake until cold and strain into a tall glass over ice. Garnish with olives, spoon of caviar and a potato chip on the side.

NOT-SO-OLD FASHIONED

Step into the modern era of mixology with the ‘Not-So-Old Fashioned’ cocktail, a contemporary twist on the classic favorite:
Combine all ingredients into shaker:

• 2 oz Stranahan’s Blue Peak
• .5 oz rosemary + thyme simple syrup
• 2 dashes each aromatic + orange bitters

Strain into rocks glass over a large rock ice cube, mist with single malt and garnish with rosemary sprig and a dehydrated orange wheel.

We hope our summer cocktail list has inspired you to step out of your cocktail comfort zone and try something new! Drop by the cocktail lounge if you’re in the Denver area, and let us know your favorites.