Stir Things up on International Whisk(e)y Day

In the Gaelic language, uisce na beatha or “the water of life” refers to whiskey. The English translation is also the name of a 2021 documentary about the Scotsmen who revived “a stagnant scotch whisky industry.” On International Whiskey Day today (not to be confused with World Whisky Day on May 20 or National Bourbon Day on June 14, which is also Flag Day), you can drink it neat, on the rock or stir things up with these cocktail recipes. Just remember with the “e” is distilled in Ireland and the United States; no “e” is Scottish, Japanese and Canadian. Confused? Just pour yourself one of these:

Seven Rays, Lauren Corriveau

• 1.5 oz Shiitake mushroom-infused Suntory Toki Whisky
• 0.5 oz Bertoux brandy
• 1 tsp cane syrup (2:1)
• 1/2 tsp Rothman & Winter Orchard apricot liqueur
• 2 dashes Miracle Mile Yuzu Bitters

Method: Stir and strain over a block of ice in a single old fashioned glass; garnish with a lemon twist.

Pop Quiz, Devon Tarby, Death & Co., New York City

• 2 oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon
• .5 oz Ramazzotti
• 1 tsp. simple syrup
• 2 dashes of Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters

Method: Stir all the ingredients over ice, then strain into an old fashioned glass over a large ice cube. Express the orange twist over the drink, then gently rub it around the rim of the glass before topping it off as a garnish.

Grandad’s Old Fashioned by Maverick Distilling

Method: Place a large ice cube into an old fashioned, lowball, or rocks glass. Pour 2 ounces of Samuel Maverick Straight Triticale Whiskey over the ice. Add by pouring 0.5 oz of houe-made ginger simple syrup. Add two dashes of clove bitters. Stir the cocktail using a swizzle spoon until it is chilled, about 20-30 seconds.

TRIPLE DOG DARE, Chris Norton, The Artist Behind The Bar, Frisco, Texas

Method: Roll to Mix: Pour ingredients into serving glass full of ice in the order listed. Pour back into a mixing tin and back into serving glass to mix. When mixed, pour into a 16 oz. copper mug. Add garnish of lime wheel spiced with Tajin Chili/Lime seasoning, mint sprig, Habanero pepper slice.

STUBBORN IRISH

• ¾ oz. Monin® Mojito mix
• 1 ½ oz. Triple Dog Irish Whiskey
• ½ oz. lime juice
• 2 oz. Q ginger beer

Method: Shake and Strain: Pour ingredients into serving glass full of ice in the order listed. Pour back into a mixing tin and back into serving glass to mix. When mixed, pour into 16 oz. copper mug; garnish with lime and a mint sprig

THE SILKIE ESPRESSO MARTINI

Method: Hard shake with ice and single strain into a chilled coupe glass. Sprinkle with chocolate powder and serve.

DONEGAL ORCHARD

• 50ml Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey
• 35ml cloudy apple juice
• 10ml lemon juice
• 15ml simple syrup

Method: Shake ingredients with ice and double strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Garnish with apple fan.

MERMAID IN MANHATTAN

• 50ml Midnight Silkie Irish Whiskey
• 20ml sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostrura bitters

Method: Shake with ice and double strain into a chilled coupe glass; garnish with a cherry