Share
Hosting Christmas or New Year parties without tropical cocktails or booze is like not having a cake in a birthday celebration. When you are the organiser, you should always aim for the best, and what is better than Monkey Shoulder, a premium multi-award winning Speyside blended malt scotch whisky? It is perfect for hosting celebrations throughout the year.
The high-end malt scotch whisky is available with a banger new look, elegant shape of the bottle, new packaging and better labelling. Needless to say, it looks more irresistible than before. While The OG boasts a rich and smooth finish, Smokey Monkey is a fine balance of sweet and peat. While The OG is perfect for upcoming parties, you should also stock up on Smokey Monkey with oak smoke, mellow vanilla, and subtle citrus. It is now available across 25 countries. What a feat!
Gaurav Sareen, Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder, has been associated with the brand for three years. “I think people need to be young at heart in our age when everyone is serious. We (Monkey Shoulder) came and said that we should forget being serious for some time. Let’s just have fun,” he added while cementing the fact that people across age groups enjoy the zesty orange, honey, vanilla, and spiced oak nose of The OG.
Image Credit: Monkey Shoulder/ Instagram
“We don’t tell people how to drink Monkey Shoulder. They can drink however they want to,” he added. Inspired by the malt men who still turn the malting barley by hand, The OG by Monkey Shoulder is blended in small batches of Speyside’s finest single malt whiskies and then married to achieve a smoother, richer taste.
If you are a newbie or want to make your party a hit with smooth and refreshing cocktails, you can try easy recipes by Gaurav Sareen. Some of his recipes include unique ingredients, which you can easily find in your home or purchase from the market, but never thought of infusing them with whisky.
Monkey Jam Sour
“A twist on the classic whisky sour, the Monkey Jam Sour blends the bold flavours of Monkey Shoulder with the fruity sweetness of jam. The jam adds a rich texture and natural sweetness, while lime juice and sugar syrup balance it out with tartness and smoothness. The optional egg white gives the drink a velvety texture, making it a refreshing yet indulgent cocktail,” added Sareen while speaking about this one-of-a-kind cocktail recipe.
Ingredients
- 60ml Monkey Shoulder
- 1 tablespoon of jam (any fruit variety works)
- 5ml sugar syrup
- 20ml lime juice
- Egg white (optional)
Garnish: Orange slice
Method
Shake all the ingredients together (dry shake if using egg white for extra froth), then add ice and shake again. Strain into a glass and garnish with an orange slice.
Wake Me Up
Special about this cocktail, Gaurav Sareen said, “This cocktail is for the coffee lovers who enjoy their whisky with a kick of caffeine. The Wake Me Up pairs the smooth, malty flavour of Monkey Shoulder with a shot of espresso, complemented by a hint of coffee liqueur and chocolate bitters for extra depth. This is a perfect after-dinner drink or an energizing treat.
Ingredients
- 60ml Monkey Shoulder
- 1 shot of espresso
- 15ml coffee liqueur
- 3 dashes of chocolate bitters
Garnish: Coffee beans
Method
Shake all ingredients together with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a few coffee beans.
Apes and Pickles
“This adventurous cocktail brings together the spice of jalapeno brine and the tropical sweetness of passion fruit, all mellowed by the smooth character of Monkey Shoulder. The ginger ale adds a light fizz, making it an unusual yet vibrant drink that hits all the right notes of spicy, sour, and sweet,” said Sareen while sharing this easy cocktail recipe.
Ingredients
- 60ml Monkey Shoulder
- 30ml jalapeno brine
- 20ml passion fruit juice
- 20ml lime juice
- Ginger ale (to top up)
Garnish: Jalapeno slice and chilli salt rim
Method
Rim the glass with chilli salt. Shake the whisky, jalapeno brine, passion fruit, and lime juice together with ice. Strain into the glass and top up with ginger ale. Garnish with a jalapeno slice.
Monkey Sundowner
Gaurav Sareen said, “The Monkey Sundowner is a refreshing, light cocktail that captures the essence of a relaxing evening drink. It combines the smooth richness of Monkey Shoulder with the sweetness of the peach syrup and the tartness of lime juice, creating a perfectly balanced flavour profile. The grapefruit shrub adds a tangy, slightly bitter finish, making it both refreshing and complex. The garnish of an edible flower adds an elegant, summery touch.”
Ingredients
- 60ml Monkey Shoulder
- 20ml peach syrup
- 20ml lime juice
- Grapefruit shrub (to top up)
Garnish: Edible flower
Method
Shake the Monkey Shoulder, peach syrup, and lime juice with ice until well-mixed. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Top up with grapefruit shrub and gently stir. Garnish with an edible flower for a visually stunning finish.
