On World Whisky Day, Why Not Cook With Whisky?

World Whisky Day falls on the third Saturday in May each year, prompting people around the world to raise a glass in celebration of the golden-hued elixir. Far from the hard-hitting liquor that some people think it is, whisky is among the most subtle and complex of spirits. In every single malt, in every dram, there is an unfolding story of nature and history expressed through craftsmanship, and distilled perfectly in your glass.

World Whisky Day is a chance to twist the top off a decent bottle, whether it's a cask-aged, single-malt, or a whisky with a story to tell. Whether you’re making a classic cocktail, inventing your own, or just appreciating it neat, there’s no better time to savour whisky's character and appreciate the joy it brings.

25 Whisky Cocktail Recipes

While sipping whisky is the perfect way to enjoy its flavour and character, cooking with whisky is another way to unlock a whole new world of flavour and imbue your food with the unmistakable flavour of a cask-aged malt. Just as cooking with wine brings a dish to life, cooking with whisky can transform your dish into something transcendent.

“It is generally accepted among cooking circles that alcohol is a flavour enhancer, so that is why people cook with wine,” says Scott Harris, founder Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. in Virginia. “The same goes for whisky. What is interesting is that whisky makes an interesting substitution for what one would usually use as vanilla extract. Vanilla extract is really nothing more than the compound vanillin in a tincture of alcohol. Whisky, of course, is alcohol with vanillins that are derived from the barrel, plus the flavour of the grain. So in things like pie it's a natural.”

So there’s a world of flavour to unlock by adding a dash of good whisky to your dish while preparing and if you’re looking for some recipe ideas, look no further. Here are some of the best whisky recipes for you to celebrate on World Whisky Day.