As soon as winter passes, and leaves start turning green, many people believe it’s time to change their drinking preferences from whiskey to gin, vodka or other clear spirits. Who says whiskey has to be a winter drink? Crown Royal’s national brand ambassador Stephen Wilson states, “Whiskey isn’t a seasonal spirit. After all, it’s the changing of the seasons during maturation that helps craft an exceptional whiskey.”

Whiskey in all forms such as Bourbon, Rye, Irish, Scotch, and Canadian to Japanese is not just for cold weather. With an ice cube and a good choice of a soft tonic, it's a mind refreshing spirit on its own that can and should be enjoyed all year round.   

Here are some Whiskey cocktails that can be drank all year round. 

Northern Harvest Buck

Canadian whiskey has lately been getting attention and popularity amongst the bartenders and mixologists. The Northern Harvest Buck is a classic example of how to consume whiskey as a cocktail in summers. By squeezing lime and putting in a few spices and bitters that enhances the drink in a bit spicy but smooth way, this take on whiskey can beat the heat.

Keeneland Breeze

Bourbon and orange usually do not sit together unless it’s a slice of an orange dropping into an old fashioned drink. Keeneland Breeze adds a splash of orange liquor into a few ounces of bourbon and tops it off with some spicy, dry ginger ale to counter with the sweetness. 

Harper’s Bet

This citrus saturated cocktail is inspired by Manhattan by being based on the classics. By equally adding grenadine, lemon juice and grapefruit juice with some bitters of orange combined with bourbon for a slightly sweet and sour concoction is an example of traditional and contemporary ways brought together in a cocktail that can be just perfect for a hot day. 

Crownberry Apple

A pretty simple and easy sort of a cocktail to make - This drink is an alcoholic version of cran-apple juice. Crown apple can be prepared with cranberry and apple juice stirred together topping it with an Apple wheel in a tall tumbler filled with ice.  

Mint Julep

There is a reason why this bourbon cocktail is a classic. It is light and frosty and usually served in a metal cup to keep it that way. This cocktail is firmly affiliated with the Kentucky Derby and can be enjoyed all summer long.

Seared Apricot Ginger Cooler

Apricots are likely to stay soft when ripe and stand up to an easy and early sear on the grill with aplomb, unlike any other stone fruit. Once the fruits warm and juices inside it bakes and brings out the base flavors it can be paired with spicy Bourbon or Rye and an equally spicy ginger beer. Swap the apricots with peaches and other juicy fruits to add in a cocktail as the dog days approach.

Floral Old Fashioned 

This cocktail was created for drinkers who do not usually go for scotch by Cameron Johnston of Gleneagles hotel. For a still-smoky finish, this cocktail is a combination of Chamomile syrup and Dalwhinnie that is topped with an orange slice and served with a tumbler filled with ice to beat summer days.

Boulevardier Cocktail

This cocktail is a combination of sweet, sour and spicy altogether. The recipe for the Boulevardier cocktail is a classic variation on the negroni in which sweet, woody bourbon is used instead of gin or vodka. With a few ounces of honey and a touch of lime bitters, this drink can be served with a lemon tonic and ice topped with an orange slice for the Dog days.  

Whiskey Rock-a-roller

This cocktail is tailor-made for the summer with a sweet and wholesome flavor. By crushing sugar and 4 raspberries at the bottom of a cocktail shaker, add Bourbon, juice, liqueur, and bitters, fill it with ice and shake to chill. Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with ice and garnish it with used raspberries.   

Old pal

The formula for this traditional Negroni cousin, which pairs flavorful rye whiskey and light, dry vermouth with bitter Campari. The drink shows up in books as early as the 1927 Barflies and Cocktails, but in its earliest form, it included sweet vermouth and Canadian whiskey. It took a few years for the current recipe to take hold. To make this cocktail Stir whiskey, Campari, and vermouth in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass; garnish with a lemon twist and it’s a go for a chilled day in summers.

Enjoy whiskey this summer with your favorite cocktail.