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When exactly is spring day? Most South Africans would say the 1st of September, and with good reason. Since the days of school and spring day civvies, we have been led to believe that spring starts springing the second the calendar flips to September. Sorry to disappoint (although, if you rocked your shorts for 1 September civvies day, you probably already suspected this), but spring only officially begins around the 23rdof September in the southern hemisphere.
Real spring day is called the spring equinox, and it’s the date where the days and nights are the same length. It signals that we’re well on our way to warmer weather and everything that comes along with that. Alas, it turns out there is some science to the beginnings and endings of seasons.
So, while you’ve probably already been rocking those spring dresses and Hawaiian shirts, we hate to break it to you, but you’ve actually just been celebrating warm winter. The good news? Real spring day is on a Friday this year – so there’s no better time to bust out some cocktails and get your celebration on.
Whisky – in a cocktail?
The purists call it blasphemy, we call it doing whatever you want. Who makes these outrageous rules anyway? Some people love a neat whisky, and we don’t deny that it’s an excellent way to pick up on the finer nuances of the spirit’s flavour. But the reality is, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (or rather, whisky?). Laphroaig’s 10 Year Old offers smokiness, a surprising sweetness with hints of salt and layers of peatiness, and there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy these flavours in a delicious cocktail.
Laphroaig is all about welcoming opinions, and if your opinion is that you simply do not enjoy drinking whisky neat, you’re still welcome in the wonderous world of peated whisky. We say, enjoy Laphroaig however you want to! Perhaps in these refreshing whisky cocktails for you to try out this spring?
A modern whisky sour
This delightful cocktail is the perfect blend of sweet and sour. It’s easy enough to make but fancy enough to impress. It’s bound to be a real winner for your spring shenanigans.
To make this cocktail, you’ll need: 50ml Laphroaig 10 Year Old Whisky; 20ml lemon juice; 1 sugar cube; 1 egg white (optional). Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake for ten seconds. (If you are using the egg white, give it a little extra muscle and a little extra time.) Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, or into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a slice of orange and enjoy.
A whisky lemonade
Lemonade and spring go together like South Africans and braais. This lemonade takes a fun, peaty twist – finding that sweet spot between smoky, sweet, and refreshing. One sip of this guy and you’ll be a whisky fan forever more.
To make this cocktail, you’ll need: 50ml Laphroaig 10 Year Old Whisky; 50ml lemonade; 1 wedge lemon. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add whisky and top with lemonade. Garnish with the lemon wedge and start sipping.
Here’s to sunny spring days filled with unpretentious whisky drinking.