Winter is here. The thermals are on. And the dinner party invite just landed — you’re on drinks. Here’s five award-winning (and simple) cocktails to knock their socks off.

Coffee Manhattan

Starward says:
Like a late-night speakeasy on 5^th Avenue, this cocktail is dark and mysterious. The coffee liqueur gives it depth and a hint of sweetness. You could also try a few dashes of orange bitters, in addition to the orange twist garnish, to round out the drink’s edges and give it subtle brightness.

Ingredients
45ml (1.5 oz) Starward Nova (Double Gold 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition)
20ml (0.6 oz) Sweet Vermouth
5ml (0.2 oz) Coffee Liqueur
Orange twist garnish

Pull it all together
Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass and stir. Strain out into a chilled coupe, garnish with an orange twist and wait for the compliments to roll in.

Tawny Old Fashioned

Starward says:
This Tawny take on an old classic is comforting and wintery — like a warm blanket in cocktail form. If a drunk cherry garnish isn’t your thing, try an orange twist for a citrusy finish.   

Ingredients
45ml (1.5 oz) Starward Nova (Double Gold 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition)
20ml (0.6 oz) Tawny Port
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Drunk cherry garnish

Pull it all together
Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass and stir. Strain over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with a drunk cherry.

Whisky Crumble

Starward says:
Somewhere between a cocktail and a dessert, this sweet concoction is the perfect way to round out a night of feasting. The crushed biscuit and cinnamon sugar give it a fun crunch, while the apple juice adds that cosy crumble flavour — just like the one your nana used to make.
 
Ingredients
45ml (1.5 oz) Starward Solera
20ml (0.6 oz) Apricot Brandy
40ml (1.3 oz) fresh apple juice (preferably Granny Smith)
10ml (0.3 oz) sugar syrup
20ml (0.6 oz) egg white
Crushed biscuit
Cinnamon sugar

Pull it all together
Add all the ingredients to a shaker along with some ice — shake it up! Add more ice and shake it some more. Double strain into a large coupe glass. Garnish with cinnamon sugar and biscuit crumb sprinkled over top. *Chefs kiss*.

The Classic Hot Toddy

Starward says:
It doesn’t get much better than cradling a steaming Hot Toddy between your mitts — especially in the heart of winter. Starward Two-Fold is a great pick for this thanks to its lightly spiced flavour which complements the cinnamon nicely.

Ingredients
25ml (0.8 oz) Starward Two-Fold (Gold 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition)
1.5 tsp honey
1 cinnamon stick
1 lemon
1 clove

Pull it all together
Whisk the whisky and honey together and pour into a heatproof glass. Add the cinnamon, then top up with 100ml boiling water. Add a splash of lemon juice and a slice of lemon studded with a clove to finish. Hello, hot stuff!

Citrus & Rosemary Highball

Starward says:
Dreaming of a trip to Tokyo? Is there some rosemary leftover from the roast lamb main course? Make this. An unexpected take on a classic highball: it’s subtle, tall and refreshing.  

Ingredients
40ml (1.5 oz) Starward Two-Fold (Gold 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition)
3 dashes orange bitters
Lemon slices
A rosemary sprig
Soda to top

Pull it together
Add all ingredients into a tall glass and fill with ice — pop in some lemon slices and top with soda. Garnish with a rosemary sprig. Enjoy!

Want to know more about the award-winning whiskies in these recipes? Find out how they were crowned at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022.