Ingredients
- 50 ml Scotch Whiskey
- 50 ml Apple Cider
- 50 ml Ginger Ale
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a cocktail glass filled with ice, add 50 ml Scotch whiskey, 50 ml apple cider, and 50 ml ginger ale.
Stir:
- Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Spice on Ice Cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This isn’t a drink with a storied past or a specific inventor. The Spice On Ice Cocktail likely emerged from home bars or casual pubs, a natural evolution of combining Scotch with common mixers. Its simplicity suggests a modern, approachable take on the whiskey highball, designed for easy enjoyment rather than historical gravitas.
It sits comfortably in the highball family, sharing DNA with drinks like the Scotch and Soda or a classic Whiskey Ginger. The addition of apple cider sets it apart, lending a fruity tartness that brightens the overall profile and adds a seasonal touch not found in its simpler relatives, offering a more complex yet still approachable character.
You’d typically find this drink served in a relaxed setting, perhaps a backyard barbecue, a casual pub, or as an easy pour at a house party. It’s a no fuss option that delivers on flavor without demanding a fancy cocktail bar environment, perfect for a casual evening or an afternoon gathering.
What it tastes like
On the palate, the Spice On Ice Cocktail opens with the familiar warmth of Scotch, quickly followed by the crisp, slightly tart sweetness of apple cider. The mid palate introduces the gentle spice and effervescence of ginger ale, carrying through to a clean, refreshing finish with a lingering hint of ginger and a subtle whisper of whiskey.
With 50 ml of 40% ABV Scotch in a 150 ml total volume drink, this cocktail comes in around 13.3% ABV. That makes it noticeably stronger than a standard beer, which typically hovers around 4-6% ABV. It’s a moderate pour, offering more kick than a spritzer but remaining lighter than many spirit-forward classic cocktails.
The technique
Building this drink is as simple as it gets. Start with a chilled glass and fill it with fresh ice. Pour in your Scotch, followed by the apple cider, and then top it off with ginger ale. Give it a gentle stir, just enough to combine the ingredients without knocking out all the fizz. Serve it up right away.
The key technique here is the gentle stir. Aggressive mixing will quickly flatten the ginger ale, robbing the drink of its crucial effervescence and lively bite. A light touch ensures the drink stays bubbly and refreshing, maintaining its intended balance of flavors and texture.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Scotch Whiskey
- Use
- A good quality blended Scotch like Johnnie Walker Red or a lighter single malt such as Glenfiddich 12 Year. Something approachable that won’t overwhelm the other ingredients.
- Skip
- Heavily peated Islay Scotches. Their intense smoky character will dominate the apple and ginger, creating an unbalanced drink that loses the intended refreshing profile.
- Why
- Scotch forms the backbone of this drink, providing a warming, malty depth that grounds the brighter notes of the cider and ginger ale, giving it character without being overbearing.
Ginger Ale
- Use
- A good quality, crisp ginger ale such as Canada Dry or Fever-Tree. Look for one with a clean ginger bite, not just sugar, to achieve the desired balance.
- Skip
- Overly sweet, generic sodas that lack true ginger flavor. Also avoid ginger beer if you want the intended milder spice profile, as it will be too assertive.
- Why
- It provides the vital effervescence, a touch of sweetness, and the ‘spice’ in Spice On Ice, balancing the Scotch and cider with its characteristic zing and refreshing carbonation.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Spiced Apple Twist
- Adds aromatic depth to the fruit notes.
- Infuse the apple cider with a cinnamon stick for an hour, or add a dash of apple bitters to the final drink for a more complex aroma and flavor.
Ginger Kick
- For those who prefer a bolder, spicier ginger flavor.
- Swap the ginger ale for a quality ginger beer. This will intensify the ginger spice and sweetness, creating a more assertive and robust drink.
Smoky On Ice
- Introduces a subtle smoky layer for Scotch enthusiasts.
- Use a lightly peated Scotch whiskey instead of a blended or unpeated single malt. This adds a gentle smoky nuance without overpowering the apple and ginger.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try Bourbon or Irish whiskey for a similar spirit base, though the flavor profile will shift to be sweeter or smoother, respectively.
Clear apple juice will work, but expect a sweeter, less tart drink. Pear cider could also be an interesting alternative, offering a different fruity sweetness.
Ginger beer offers a spicier alternative, while lemon-lime soda would add fizz and sweetness, but lose the signature ginger spice.
Any sturdy drinking glass or tumbler will do the job perfectly well for this simple, built-in-glass drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Spice On Ice Cocktail?
It contains Scotch whiskey, apple cider, and ginger ale.
Is this a strong drink?
It’s a moderately strong drink, coming in around 13% ABV, which is stronger than beer but lighter than many spirit-forward cocktails.
Can I use ginger beer instead of ginger ale?
Yes, but expect a much spicier and bolder ginger flavor, which will change the drink’s balance considerably.
What kind of Scotch works best?
A blended Scotch or a lighter, unpeated single malt generally works best, allowing the apple and ginger notes to shine without being overshadowed.
Can I make a batch of Spice On Ice Cocktail?
While you can pre-mix the Scotch and apple cider, it’s best to add the ginger ale and ice just before serving to maintain carbonation and freshness.
What’s the best way to garnish this drink?
A simple apple slice, a lemon wedge, or a cinnamon stick can add a nice visual touch and aromatic complement.
Is apple cider alcoholic?
In the context of this recipe, ‘apple cider’ refers to non-alcoholic apple juice. If using hard cider, the ABV of the final drink will be significantly higher.
What’s the difference between apple cider and apple juice?
Apple cider is typically raw, unfiltered apple juice, often with a cloudier appearance and a tarter, more robust flavor. Apple juice is filtered and pasteurized, resulting in a clearer, sweeter product.
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