The classic whisky cocktails are the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour and the Japanese-style highball. All of them need only a few ingredients. Below are 13 recipes. Ten follow the exact specs of the International Bartenders Association (IBA), checked in October 2026. We add the highball and two popular extras, and for each one, we suggest a bottle you can buy in Malaysia, with its usual price.
Before you start: tools and terms
You can make most whisky cocktails with a few basic tools. A shaker, a strainer, a bar spoon and a jigger cover nearly everything. A jigger measures in millilitres, which matters because these specs are exact.
Some terms come up often in whisky cocktails. "Shake" means shaking with ice, usually for drinks with citrus. "Stir" means stirring with ice, for clear spirit-only drinks. "Build" means making the drink straight in the glass. "Float" means pouring a layer gently on top, often over the back of a spoon.
For glasses, a rocks glass, a tall highball glass and a stemmed cocktail glass will cover every recipe here. Our whisky glasses guide explains the shapes and where to buy them.
The Japanese highball
The highball is the easiest of all whisky cocktails, and it suits Malaysia's heat. It is not an IBA cocktail, so we follow a recipe sponsored by the House of Suntory.
Japanese highball (Toki highball)
Ingredients
- 1 part Suntory Toki
- 3 parts soda water, well chilled
- Ice
- Grapefruit peel, to garnish
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in the whisky.
- Top with soda, pouring gently.
- Stir once and add the grapefruit peel.
Bottle to try: Suntory Toki sells for RM269. Suntory Kakubin, at RM200–RM270, is another Japanese blend that works well in a highball.
Use plenty of ice, and keep the soda cold, so the drink stays fizzy. Also, pour the soda down the side of the glass, then stir just once. Too much stirring knocks out the bubbles.
IBA classic whisky cocktails
These are the ten whisky cocktails on the current IBA list whose specs we checked. We quote the IBA measures exactly. Prices for the suggested bottles come from Malaysian retailers in October 2026.
Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 45 ml bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 sugar cube
- A few dashes Angostura bitters
- A few dashes plain water
- Orange slice or zest, and a cocktail cherry
Method
- Place the sugar cube in an old fashioned glass and soak it with bitters.
- Add the water and muddle until the sugar dissolves.
- Fill the glass with ice, add the whiskey and stir gently.
- Garnish with the orange and cherry.
In Malaysia, Maker's Mark at RM244–RM319 makes a soft, rounded Old Fashioned. For more spice, try Woodford Reserve Rye at RM300–RM351.
Manhattan
Ingredients
- 50 ml rye whiskey
- 20 ml sweet red vermouth
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Cocktail cherry
Method
- Stir all the liquids with ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cherry.
Bottle to try: Woodford Reserve Rye at RM300–RM351. One online discounter lists Bulleit Rye at RM175, but availability is limited.
Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
- 45 ml bourbon
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- 20 ml sugar syrup
- A few drops egg white (optional)
- Half orange slice and maraschino cherry
Method
- Shake all the liquids hard with ice.
- Strain into a cobbler glass, or into an old fashioned glass over ice.
- Garnish with the orange and cherry. Orange zest is optional.
On a budget, Jim Beam White Label at RM179–RM219 works well in sours.
New York Sour
Ingredients
- 60 ml rye or bourbon
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 22.5 ml simple syrup
- A few drops egg white
- 15 ml red wine (Shiraz or Malbec), to float
Method
- Shake the whiskey, lemon, syrup and egg white with ice.
- Strain into a chilled rocks glass with ice.
- Float the red wine on top.
- Garnish with lemon or orange zest and a cherry.
Bottle to try: Jim Beam Black at RM185–RM260 adds a little more depth than the White Label.
Boulevardier
Ingredients
- 45 ml bourbon or rye
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml sweet red vermouth
- Orange zest
Method
- Stir all the liquids with ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with orange zest. Lemon zest is optional.
A fuller bourbon, such as Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select at RM295–RM349, stands up well to the bitter Campari.
Rusty Nail
Ingredients
- 45 ml Scotch whisky
- 25 ml Drambuie
- Lemon zest
Method
- Build both in an old fashioned glass over ice.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with lemon zest.
Bottle to try: Dewar's White Label at RM188–RM230, or Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 at RM248–RM269.
Penicillin
Ingredients
- 60 ml blended Scotch whisky
- 7.5 ml Lagavulin 16
- 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
- 22.5 ml honey syrup
- 2–3 quarter-size slices fresh ginger
- Candied ginger, to garnish
Method
- Muddle the ginger in a shaker.
- Add everything except the Islay malt, then shake with ice.
- Fine strain into a chilled old fashioned glass with ice.
- Float the Lagavulin on top and garnish.
For the float, use Lagavulin 16 at RM418–RM478. For the base, a blend such as Famous Grouse at RM153–RM190 keeps costs down.
Paper Plane
Ingredients
- 30 ml bourbon
- 30 ml Amaro Nonino
- 30 ml Aperol
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
Method
- Shake all four with ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- No garnish.
Bottle to try: Maker's Mark at RM244–RM319. Its soft, sweet style balances the bitter amaro.
Irish Coffee
Ingredients
- 50 ml Irish whiskey
- 120 ml hot coffee
- 50 ml chilled fresh cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or sugar syrup)
Method
- Pour the coffee into a preheated Irish coffee glass.
- Add the whiskey and sugar, and stir until dissolved.
- Float the cream on top over the back of a spoon.
Good Irish options include Jameson Original at RM213–RM310, or Tullamore D.E.W. at RM185–RM235.
Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 60 ml bourbon
- 4 mint sprigs
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons water
Method
- Gently muddle the mint, sugar and water in a julep cup.
- Fill with cracked ice and add the bourbon.
- Stir until the cup frosts.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
Bottle to try: Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select at RM295–RM349, or Jim Beam Black at RM185–RM260.
Two popular whisky cocktails that are not on the IBA list
The Rob Roy and the Godfather are well known, but neither is on the current IBA list. So we give the usual specs from Wikipedia, which cites other sources.
Rob Roy (not IBA)
Ingredients
- 45 ml Scotch whisky
- 25 ml sweet vermouth
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
Method
- Stir all the liquids with ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
The Rob Roy is in effect a Scotch Manhattan. According to Wikipedia, it dates from 1894 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Bottle to try: Chivas Regal 12 at RM264–RM273.
Godfather (not IBA)
Ingredients
- 35 ml Scotch whisky
- 35 ml amaretto
Method
- Build both over ice in an old fashioned glass.
- Stir gently.
Wikipedia also notes that Disaronno suggests a drier 1:2 ratio, with 25 ml amaretto to 50 ml whisky. Bottle to try: Famous Grouse Finest at RM153–RM190.
What about the Sazerac?
Many people think of the Sazerac as a rye whiskey cocktail. However, the IBA spec uses 50 ml Cognac, with 10 ml absinthe, 1 sugar cube and 2 dashes of Peychaud's bitters. The IBA notes that rye replaced Cognac after the American Civil War. Because the official version is a brandy drink, we leave it out of this list.
Bottles for whisky cocktails in Malaysia
You do not need expensive whisky for whisky cocktails. In fact, mid-priced bottles often work best, because strong mixers hide subtle flavours. This table lists the bottles suggested above. Discounters may sell parallel-import or other-size bottles at lower prices.
| Brand | Expression | Size | ABV | Typical price | Lowest seen* | Seen at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suntory | Toki | 70cl | 43% | RM269 | RM193 | whisky.my |
| Suntory | Kakubin | 70cl | 40% | RM200–RM270 | RM145 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Jaya Grocer, Whiskery, Kanpai, Nomu, Blue Ocean, Goodstuff |
| Maker's Mark | Maker's Mark | 70cl | 45% | RM244–RM319 | RM133 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Whiskery, Kanpai, Nomu, Blue Ocean, eLuenHeng |
| Woodford Reserve | Rye | 70cl | 45.2% | RM300–RM351 | RM215 | whisky.my, Kanpai, Nomu, Blue Ocean |
| Woodford Reserve | Distiller's Select (Bourbon) | 70cl | 43.2% | RM295–RM349 | RM180 | whisky.my, Kanpai, Nomu, Goodstuff |
| Jim Beam | White Label | 70cl | 40% | RM179–RM219 | RM100 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Jaya Grocer, Kanpai, Nomu, Blue Ocean, Goodstuff |
| Jim Beam | Black (Extra Aged) | 70cl | 43% | RM185–RM260 | RM120 | whisky.my, Blue Ocean, Nomu |
| Dewar's | White Label | 75cl | 40% | RM188–RM230 | RM100 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Jaya Grocer |
| Famous Grouse | Finest | 70cl | 40% | RM153–RM190 | RM95 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Jaya Grocer |
| Lagavulin | 16 | 70cl | 43% | RM418–RM478 | RM340 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Whiskery |
| Jameson | Original (Triple Distilled) | 70cl | 40% | RM213–RM310 | RM120 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Jaya Grocer, Whiskery, Kanpai, Nomu, Blue Ocean, Goodstuff |
| Tullamore D.E.W. | Original | 70cl | 40% | RM185–RM235 | RM115 | whisky.my, Kanpai, Nomu |
| Chivas Regal | 12 | 70/75cl | 40% | RM264–RM273 | RM140 | whisky.my, Wine Warehouse, Jaya Grocer |
Typical price is the range at mainstream Malaysian retailers for a standard 70cl or 75cl bottle, checked in October 2026. *Lowest seen is the cheapest online discounter listing. It may be a different bottle size or parallel-import stock. Prices change often, so confirm with the retailer before you buy.
Prices change with promotions, stock and exchange rates. Treat these ranges as a guide and confirm the current price with the retailer.
For background on the styles, see our guides to bourbon whiskey and rye whiskey.
Tips for better whisky cocktails at home
- Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled juice tastes flat in a sour.
- Make sugar syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and hot water, then cool it.
- Keep ice in a sealed bag, so it does not pick up freezer smells.
- Chill cocktail glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before you pour.
- Measure with a jigger. A few millilitres can change the balance.
Most whisky cocktails hold 45–60 ml of whisky, which is more than a standard neat pour. So enjoy them slowly, and drink water too. If you are out for the evening, plan a ride home and never drink and drive. For food to serve with your drinks, see our whisky food pairing ideas, and for neat serves, our guide on how to drink whisky.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a whisky highball?
Fill a tall glass with ice, add 1 part whisky, then top with 3 parts chilled soda water. Stir once and add a grapefruit or lemon peel. This 1:3 ratio comes from a Suntory-sponsored Toki highball recipe.
What is the easiest whisky cocktail?
The highball is the easiest, because it needs only whisky, soda and ice. The Rusty Nail is also simple: 45 ml Scotch and 25 ml Drambuie, stirred over ice.
Which whisky is best for an Old Fashioned?
The IBA spec calls for bourbon or rye. A bourbon such as Maker's Mark (RM244–RM319) gives a softer, sweeter drink, while a rye gives more spice.
What mixers go with whisky?
Soda water is the classic, as in a highball. Ginger ale, cola and coffee also work. For stirred cocktails, sweet vermouth, bitters and Campari are common partners.
What is a whisky sour?
A Whiskey Sour is bourbon shaken with fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. The IBA spec is 45 ml bourbon, 25 ml lemon juice and 20 ml sugar syrup, with a few drops of egg white as an option.
Is the Rob Roy an official IBA cocktail?
No. The Rob Roy and the Godfather are not on the current IBA list of 102 cocktails. We give their usual specs from other sources.
