Your Glass Of Scotch Will Taste 10x Better With These Fridge Staples

When it comes to whisky, aficionados far and wide will claim they know the one ideal way to enjoy this spirit: neat (on its own). Meanwhile, others recommend adding a bit of water, serving it on the rocks, or with a number of citrus garnishes to enliven the experience. With scotch, there are a few kitchen basics that will really level up this beverage. Try incorporating crushed ice and lemon or orange peel to even out the fieriness and pull even more flavor forward.

This cocktail build is not merely a type of preparation method, but a classic cocktail that originated in the 1940s. It's known as the scotch mist, though in the past, it was also sometimes referred to as a "hailstorm."  The scotch mist build is a deeply chilled whisky, as the crushed ice makes the dilution process immediate and swift. 

The ice opens up the scotch's flavor and concurrently dials down the fire of this beverage. A bit of lemon or orange peel brings a hint of brightness and zest both to the taste buds and to the nose, further adding excitement to this refreshing drink. Imagine a scotch mist like a whisky slushy — or, better yet, a simplified mint julep (sans the sugar, mint, or bourbon — swap for scotch).

All you need to make a scotch mist is thinly sliced lemon or orange peel, a Scotch whisky of your choosing (high-quality blended scotch is recommended), and crushed ice. For those who are new to scotch but want to try this cocktail, consider the 15 best Scotch whiskies for beginners before hitting the liquor store. As for the ice, if your refrigerator has a crushed setting, you're golden. Otherwise, you can throw some ice in the blender to pulverize it. Or if you are near to a Sonic Drive-In, don't forget that you can buy a bag of the beloved fast food nugget ice in bulk from one of its locations.

If you're thinking of ways to further elevate this drink, the first thing to consider is spirit quality. Scotch whisky is a very elaborate, expressive spirit, with many flavor profiles and varieties on the market. Pay attention to malt to grain ratios, age statements, and don't get swept up in brand names alone. A scotch mist can't immediately hide behind sugar syrups or fruity add-ins, so the quality of your whisky is very important.

At the same time, those who do like a little sweetness can try incorporating citrus beyond the expressed peel by making oleo saccharum (citrus oil sugar syrup). Whisky is also a popular liquor that benefits from a pinch of sea salt. This added salinity can dramatically change the flavor by smoothing out the intense alcohol taste. If this isn't for you, try a few drops of classic cocktail add-ins like angostura bitters, orange bitters, or even a little bit of honey simple syrup.