How to Serve Jameson Irish Whiskey

Purists might say you should never serve a quality whiskey like Jameson with anything other than a little water, but they would be wrong. Jameson Irish Whiskey is a flavorsome companion to mixers and an inspired ingredient in cocktails. So the next time you serve this traditional favorite, let your imagination roam.

To understand why Jameson is such a versatile whiskey, it’s important to know how it’s made. Jameson Irish Whiskey is created in Midleton, Ireland, though the company’s original home was in Dublin. Jameson has been operating since 1780, and over the years, it has perfected its process for producing the spirit.

Jameson uses malted and unmalted barley in the creation of their world-famous drink. It’s the use of unmalted barley that defines Irish whiskey, giving it a creamy feel. Other flavors the barley imparts include spices and fruit.

The company also ferments malt and maize in its production process. These grains give the final product a floral tone in taste and aroma. It’s the combination of all these flavors that makes Jameson special and adaptable to a wide range of types of drinks.

Jameson goes the extra mile when distilling its whiskey, and the effects are apparent in the taste. It's smooth because it’s distilled three times. In comparison, American whiskey is usually distilled only once or twice.

Water is another important factor with a big influence on the final taste of whiskey. The water used in the Midleton plant is from the local river, the Dungourney. Like the water Jameson used to source in Dublin, it’s midway between hard and soft, and the level of calcium is effective for brewing.

Some whiskey drinkers prefer to not dilute or mix their favorite tipple with water or any other beverage. There’s nothing wrong with that. A shot of Jameson is a tasty drink by itself and needs nothing extra to improve the flavor.

Serve Jameson Irish Whiskey at room temperature, which is 60 degrees to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A wide-brimmed glass is best for appreciating the aroma of the drink before you sip. Alternatively, use a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the whiskey’s scent for the drinker.

Another option for serving neat Jameson whiskey is over rocks. Ice does eliminate some of the flavor notes, but this traditional method of serving whiskey still has plenty to offer. Drop three or four ice cubes in a glass and add about 2 ounces of whiskey.

Some experts argue that the best mixer for whiskey is water. Diluting whiskey with water or soda water reduces the effect of the alcohol on the taste buds and highlights the subtler flavors. Yet Jameson whiskey also mingles well with sweet sodas, coffee and even beer. Each mixer brings out a different range of the whiskey’s many tastes.

Water for whiskey should usually be at room temperature. One exception is if the weather is warm, when chilled soda water in your whiskey provides a refreshing drink. The amount of water or soda water you add is a personal thing. Start with a drop and add more if the taste of the alcohol is too strong.

Ginger beer and ginger ale bring out the floral fragrance and taste of Jameson whiskey. The sweetness of the mixers softens the taste of the alcohol, and the flavor of ginger adds spice. For extra zing, grate a little fresh ginger into the drink. Grate the ginger finely to release the juice.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces Jameson whiskey
• 6 ounces ginger beer or ginger ale
• Lime wedge
• Small piece of fresh ginger

Directions

1. Peel the ginger.
2. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
3. Pour in 2 ounces of Jameson whiskey.
4. Fill the glass with ginger beer or ginger ale.
5. Squeeze juice from the lime wedge into the glass.
6. Drop the lime wedge in the glass.
7. Grate a few shreds of fresh ginger on top of the drink.
8. Stir in the shreds of ginger.

Cola has a strong taste, but Jameson whiskey takes it on in style. For drinkers who don’t like the taste of whiskey, mixing the spirit with cola allows them an opportunity to enjoy this spirit. Adding a little lemon juice balances the sickly sweetness of the mixer. For drinkers who are watching their weight, diet cola is an acceptable alternative.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces Jameson whiskey
• 4 ounces cola
• Lemon wedge
• Lemon wheel garnish

Directions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in the whiskey.
3. Pour in the cola.
4. Mix the drink gently with a spoon.
5. Squeeze a lemon wedge into the drink.
6. Cut a slit in the lemon wheel and slip it on the side of the glass as a garnish.

On a cold winter’s day, what better way is there to warm up than a cup of joe spiked with a little whiskey? The combination brings out Jameson whiskey’s notes of cocoa, oak, vanilla and citrus. Go to town and add maple syrup and whipped cream for a really luxurious drink. For a decorative touch, garnish with a cinnamon stick and chocolate sprinkles.

Total Time: 10 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces maple syrup
• 1 1/2 ounces Jameson whiskey
• 1 ounce whipping cream
• Ground coffee beans
• Cinnamon stick
• Chocolate sprinkles

Directions

1. Stir the maple syrup into the whiskey.
2. Whip the cream until it’s thick.
3. Brew 3 ounces of strong coffee.
4. Pour the whiskey and maple syrup mixture into the coffee and stir it in.
5. Spoon the whipped cream on the surface of the coffee.
6. Put a cinnamon stick into the coffee and drop chocolate sprinkles on the cream as garnishes.

Guinness and Jameson whiskey are made for each other. Both drinks are Irish, and they complement each other in smoothness and depth of flavor. Add a chocolate liqueur for a rich, creamy, satisfying drink.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Guinness
• 1 ounce Jameson whiskey
• 1 ounce chocolate liqueur

Directions

1. Pour 8 ounces of Guinness in a glass.
2. Add the whiskey and the chocolate liqueur.
3. Gently stir the drink until all the ingredients are mixed.

Versatile Jameson Irish Whiskey proudly takes its place in traditional whiskey cocktails and makes an effective twist in other mixed drinks. You can use Jameson in whiskey sours, Manhattans and hot toddies, but don’t allow convention to limit your range. Try the whiskey as a substitute in cocktails that usually feature a different spirit, or go the “whole hog” and make up something new from scratch.

In a whiskey sour, the clue is in the name. Lemon juice emphasizes the sour citrus flavors in Jameson, but simple syrup softens the sourness with sugary sweetness. This recipe also includes grapefruit juice for extra tang.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces Jameson Irish Whiskey
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce egg white
• Angostura bitters

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Pour in the whiskey, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, simple syrup and egg white.
3. Shake the shaker vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Strain the cocktail into a coupe cocktail glass.
5. Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters.

The Manhattan is another classic whiskey cocktail in which Jameson Irish Whiskey can strut its stuff. A rich, strong cocktail that’s not for the lightweight drinker, the Manhattan combines whiskey and vermouth with intense citrus and herbal flavors. Another plus is that the drink is quick and easy to make.

Total Time: 3 minutes | Prep Time: 3 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces Jameson
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1/2 ounce green Chartreuse
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• 1 dash orange bitters
• 1 dash Peychaud’s bitters

Directions

1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass.
2. Stir the ingredients for 20 seconds.
3. Strain the ingredients through a cocktail strainer into a cocktail glass.
   
   

The hot toddy is one of the few cocktails you can claim you’re drinking for medicinal purposes. This hot lemon juice and whiskey combination might not actually cure your cold, but it can ease your stuffy nose and aching, sore throat. No matter how delicious this cocktail tastes, if you really do have a cold, limit yourself to two drinks at most. Otherwise, you’ll wake up feeling even worse.

Total Time: 10 minutes | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 6 ounces water
• 1 teabag
• Lemon wedge
• 4 cloves
• 2 teaspoons demerara sugar
• 1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 2 ounces Jameson whiskey

Directions

1. Boil the water.
2. Pour the hot water in a mug.
3. Add a teabag and wait 1 or 2 minutes for the tea to steep, depending on the strength of tea desired.
4. Poke four holes in the skin of the lemon wedge with a knife.
5. Insert the cloves into the holes.
6. Remove the teabag from the mug.
7. Add the sugar to the tea and stir it until the sugar has dissolved.
8. Put the mug in a microwave for about 30 seconds to reheat the water.
9. Add the lemon juice, lemon wedge and whiskey.
10. Stir the cocktail and serve.

One variation of Long Island iced tea substitutes Jameson for the usual vodka, white rum, tequila and gin. This version is substantially less boozy. The reduced alcohol level coupled with the fruitiness of the raspberries make this improvisation on an old classic a drink for warm summer evenings on the terrace.

Total Time: 5 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 4 or 5 large raspberries
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces Jameson
• Ice
• 6 ounces unsweetened iced tea
• Mint sprig

Directions

1. Put the raspberries and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle them so the raspberries release some of their juice.
3. Add the simple syrup and Jameson.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake the mixture for 10 to 15 seconds.
5. Fill a tall glass with ice.
6. Strain the chilled cocktail into the tall glass.
7. Top up the cocktail with iced sweetened tea.
8. Place a mint sprig in the drink as a garnish.