One of our favourite hosting tips for the festive season is having a signature welcome cocktail. Whether that's a pre-Christmas party or hosting the big day itself, it starts any event off right, and, with a little forward planning, can be easily batch-made. For winter, we think whisky works best, and with light, smooth and fruity notes, Glen Moray Classic is the quintessential Speyside single malt. With reassuring notes of gentle spice and malt-toffee sweetness, it’s the perfect winter favourite to share with friends and family.

It also makes a welcome Christmas gift, ideal for whisky lovers and those just beginning their journey into the world of Scotch single malts. So, with party season looming, why not take a moment to serve up a classic in two exceptional serves, which are ideal for enjoying in the cold winter months.

The Partridge in a Pear Tree

Glen Moray Classic’s fruity notes are accented by green tea in this delicious, mellow mix which can be served hot or cold. If you’re serving a crowd, make up a jug in advance and store in the fridge.

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Glen Moray Classic
  • Dash of lemon juice
  • A cup of apple and pear green tea, cooled and sweetened to your taste
  • Slices of fresh pear to garnish

Method

1. Pour the whisky into a cocktail glass and top up with the tea.
2. Add a dash of lemon juice.
3. Garnish with the pear.

Glen Moray Old Fashioned

Glen Moray Classic Old Fashioned

Glen Moray Classic Old Fashioned

This cocktail makes for an excellent aperitif to kick off an evening of celebration. Why not make it extra festive with a cinnamon stick. Remember, the bigger the ice cube the slower it will melt and dilute the drink, while still keeping it nice and cold.

Ingredients

  • 50ml Glen Moray Classic
  • 1 tsp of maple syrup
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
  • 1 orange

Method

1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass or a jug and fill with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds with a spoon and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
3. Use a peeler to take a long strip of peel from an orange, squeeze the oils from the peel over the glass and pop it in afterwards.

Top tips for hosting

Want some advice for pairing or cocktail mixing? Glen Moray’s Global Brand Ambassador Iain Allan shares a few secrets:

1. The foodies’ favourite: “rich, fruity whiskies, like those aged in sherry-casks, are a great choice for Christmas gatherings as they pair so well with festive food – both sweet and savoury. Our Speyside-based distillery has a long-standing tradition of experimenting with different casks to influence the flavour of our single malt and our Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish whisky is a great example of that. Look out for similar whiskies that feature dried fruit and spice in their tasting notes.”

2. The crowd pleaser: “if you are unsure of people’s preferences, then an easy drinking whisky like our Glen Moray Classic is a great option. Widely available throughout the UK, it’s the perfect single malt to introduce any non-whisky drinking friends to. A light dram with soft hints of barley and citrus, it’s perfect as an aperitif or a palette cleanser after dinner. It’s also incredibly versatile and can be used in a range of traditional whisky cocktails, including a Whisky Sour or Old Fashioned.”

3. The strong, smoky one: “Peated single malts are a good option for those who like flavours. The smokiness in peated whiskies, like our Glen Moray Smoky 12 expression, works really week with robust savoury dishes like roast meats. Intense cheeses like Roquefort, a high aged cheddar or a salty option like Manchego is also a delicious peated whisky pairing.”


4. Whisky for whisky lovers: "If you want to treat an existing whisky fan, try an older whisky or unique cask type. A whisky matured for longer, like those in our Heritage Range, will layer complex flavours and leave a longer finish stretching the enjoyment, which is ideal for a special occasion. If someone is new to aged whiskies, consider choosing a 10 to 12-year-old expression, which will have plenty of character still at an accessible price. Our award-winning 12 Year Old single malt is a great starting point for any whisky journey."

5. The limited edition: "When it comes to Christmas gifting, keep an eye out for limited edition bottles, festive sets and curated collaborations. Many brands pull the stops out at Christmas from single cask bottlings to gift sets with extra special additions like quality glassware. What better way to celebrate a festive milestone than to gift something unique – I’ll drink to that!"

Ready to up your hosting game? Visit glenmoray.co.uk to discover more.