It’s the holidays, and as much as I love whisky neat, I’m not pretending that’s the best option when you’ve got a house full of guests—especially the ones who “don’t like whisky.” In this video I run through a handful of whisky-based cocktails that are genuinely easy to make at home (even if, yes, I blunder my way through a couple of steps). The whole point is to meet in the middle: whisky lovers still get their fix, and non-whisky drinkers get something refreshing, sweet, or dessert-like that doesn’t feel confronting. I start light with a Horsefeather (rye, ginger beer, bitters, lemon) and a whisky John Collins that’s dangerously drinkable—so much so you can barely taste the whisky. Then I step into the classic Whisky Sour with egg white (it’s not as hard as people think), and talk about how the whisky you choose changes the whole drink—single malt brings more flavour, and peated whisky adds a smoky, almost barbecue-like twist. I finish with a Mint Julep that I personally think needs rye, and an Irish Martini that looks a bit rubbish but tastes so good it might replace espresso martinis for me. Along the way I also touch on simple serves like highballs, ginger beer mixes, and why whisky + soda + lemon is such a great “gateway” combo.