White whiskey? This isn't a fever dream, white whiskey is right there on the shelves by the bourbon and the moonshine. And, no, white whiskey sure isn't moonshine. Sort of. Although you could call moonshine white whiskey. Grab a seat, take some notes, and prepare to fall in love with white whiskey.
What Is White Whiskey?
Okay, so white whiskey does share some similarities with moonshine, but only because both are clear spirits and unaged. The difference is that if white whiskey were aged, it would, in fact, become whiskey. Or bourbon. Or rye. How long the whiskey is aged in a barrel is the difference between white whiskey and regular whiskey.
White whiskey is, simply, an unaged whiskey. Distilleries still age it in whiskey barrels, but it doesn't spend much time there. You could technically call moonshine a white whiskey, but these two players in the cocktail world have very different reputations.
What Does White Whiskey Taste Like?
White whiskey isn't as smooth as bourbons and doesn't quite have the bite of ryes or whiskeys, but it is a beautiful blend of both flavors. Not as sweet as white rum, it does have a tropical, summery bouquet on the nose with a whisper of those flavors when you take a sip, and the burn of a typical whiskey after. Its flavors are a whisper of sugar, grain-forward, with malted corn or barley flavors mingling in between.
However, just like its older brother, aged whiskey, the flavors of a white whiskey can vary from batch to batch and distillery to distillery.
How to Drink White Whiskey
You can serve up your white whiskey neat, over some ice, with just a mixer or two, or work this young spirit into a classic or modern cocktail. Think of all the ways you'd enjoy a rum, vodka, or classic whiskey. You can just about enjoy your white whiskey in all the same ways.
White Whiskey Cocktail Ideas
Slip your white whiskey into some classic cocktails as the base instead of the usual liquor to get you started on your journey.
- White whiskey sour - Replace the whiskey with white whiskey.
- White whiskey old-fashioned - Replace the whiskey, rye, or bourbon with white whiskey.
- White whiskey mule - Replace the vodka with white whiskey.
- White whiskey margarita - Replace the tequila with white whiskey.
- White whiskey mojito - Replace the rum with white whiskey.
- White whiskey punch - Replace the dark rum with white whiskey.
- White whiskey blue lagoon - Replace the vodka with white whiskey.
White Whiskey Mixers
You know those days when you just want to pour, swirl, and go? These are the mixers to add to your white whiskey to get you to sip o'clock quickly.
- Tonic
- Club soda
- Ginger ale
- Cranberry juice
- Pineapple juice
- Cola
- Cherry cola
- Orange liqueur
- Pear liqueur
- Amaretto liqueur
- Honey
- Simple syrup
- Vanilla syrup
- Sweet tea or iced tea
- Apple cider
- Ginger beer
- Lime juice
- Lemon juice
- Watermelon juice
- Mango juice
- Club soda
- Flavored club soda
The Charm of White Whiskey
Don't hesitate to bring a bottle of white whiskey home with you from the liquor store. This versatile and flavorful spirit is the biggest game changer to all your cocktail adventures. Lace-up your shoes, it's time to explore!
