Whiskey Daisy

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

The elegant yet potent Whiskey Daisy is the perfect cocktail for an evening out or a night in.

Most kids my age—middle-aged kids, that is—will see the name of tonight’s cocktail, the Whiskey Daisy, and probably assume a number of different things. Most of us, if we’re unfamiliar with this particular style of beverage, might think it is akin to an elderflower mixture, using a liqueur like St-Germain. These types of recipes have become quite trendy in the past 20 years or so, as that was around the time that the elderflower cordial hit the market. But the Daisy is a lot older than that, and not very flowery.

For my own part, I see a drink named Daisy and somehow think that it’s named after Donald Duck’s girlfriend. And why not? All you have to do is peruse our library of cocktail concoctions here at Twist & Toast, and you’ll find a plethora of drinks with amusing, cheeky, and otherwise inspired monikers. So a sipper named after a cartoon character wouldn’t be that out of the ordinary. But again, that’s not the case.

The Daisy is a libation that can be made using any spirit or alcohol as the base foundation, like vodka, bourbon, rum, etc. First popping up around the mid-to-late 19th century, it took off in popularity during the Prohibition Era in America. The use of a sweetener and citrus juice would mask the harsh flavor of the illicit gin that was consumed, making the bootleg booze more palatable for party-goers in speakeasies. Unlike a Sour drink, which itself uses a spirit, citrus, and sweetener like simple syrup, the Daisy bolsters the sugar element by using an orange liqueur along with it, then it’s topped off with a splash of club soda, making for a slightly fizzy and softened mélange.

With the first known recipes being published by Jerry Thomas in 1876, the drink’s elements have changed and been altered a bit over the years, but it still remains a historic classic all the same. And one that will stick around for a long, long time.

What is the best alcohol to use in a Whiskey Daisy?

For starters, when crafting a cocktail that’s titled the Whiskey Daisy, one should probably think about procuring a bottle of whiskey. For this recipe, with its mix of sweetness and citrus infusions, I’ll suggest going with a spicy and lively rye whiskey. Brands like Bulleit and High West are the ones I keep going back to, and are highly recommended. For the orange liqueur, I’ll usually choose between a Cointreau or Grand Marnier, the latter being made with a cognac blend, making for a more complex sip.

What glassware and garnish are used?

You’ll want a long-stemmed coupe or Nick & Nora glass to serve your Daisy in. Once you’re ready to drink, garnish with a fresh lemon wheel on the rim.

Can this drink be served on the rocks?

It can if you like. In this instance, fill a rocks or highball glass with ice, then pour your Daisy in, topping it with club soda.

Similar cocktails to the Whiskey Daisy

Since you can easily swap out one spirit for another when crafting a Daisy, variations on tonight’s drink are fairly easy to come by. And we know that the Daisy style of beverage has inspired a number of famous tipples throughout history, so if you’re curious about what this historic recipe begat, check out some of these below.

• Margarita – The classic summertime favorite wouldn’t exist without the Daisy.
• Sidecar – The perfect after-dinner treat, comprised of cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
• Daiquiri – While it might have been around a bit before the Daisy, this rum drink is still made with similar building blocks.
• Tom Collins – Similar to a Gin Daisy on the rocks, and a legendary sipper as well.