WITH RESTRICTIONS SLOWLY lifting and temperatures slowly rising (somewhat), now is as good a time as any for a celebration.

Whether you’re meeting a few friends who you haven’t seen in months or taking it easy with your other half, this bank holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity to say ‘cheers’ to summer.

To help you impress whoever you’re entertaining, we’ve teamed up with POWERS Irish Whiskey to share three exceptional cocktail recipes that are sure to go down a treat.

If you’re no expert when it comes to shakers and stirrers, don’t worry, all you need to create these whiskey cocktails is a dash of confidence and a bottle of POWERS. Just don’t blame us when you’re asked to make them at every future meet-up.

1. Honey Highball

Stephen Bergin Stephen Bergin

First up is the Honey Highball, which is made with POWERS Gold Label. “It’s such a summery drink,” says Derek King, POWERS Global Brand Ambassador. 

Watch the video above to see Dublin bartender Keelan Hegarty Kelly work his magic on this cocktail using the ingredients below.

Serves 1

• 35ml POWERS Gold Label
• Ice cubes
• 25ml lemon juice
• 20ml honey syrup
• Soda water

Add POWERS Gold Label, lemon juice, honey syrup and ice to a glass. Fill with soda water and stir. Squeeze and add a slice of lemon peel, if you want to be fancy. Sip and enjoy.

2. John Lane’s Irish Coffee

Stephen Bergin Stephen Bergin

A good Irish coffee isn’t just for cold winter nights. Try this version with POWERS John’s Lane and you’ll never go back.

Serves 1

• 35ml POWERS John’s Lane
• 15ml Demerara simple syrup, made from equal parts Demerara sugar and hot water mixed together
• 1 vanilla pod
• Double shot of espresso, topped up with hot water
• Fresh cream
• Shavings of dark chocolate to garnish

Pre-heat an Irish coffee glass. Add a vanilla pop to your Demerara syrup and leave for a few minutes to infuse. Stir ingredients together. Gently place your cream on top so it forms a float over the liquid. Garnish with some dark chocolate for something a little bit extra.

3. Three Swallow Release Sour

Stephen Bergin Stephen Bergin

• 35ml Powers Three Swallow Release
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 15ml simple syrup
• 20 ml egg white
• Twist of lemon zest, to garnish
• Maraschino cherry, to garnish

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Remove ice and shake again. Pour into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon zest and/or cherry.

Whatever the celebration, make one to remember with POWERS Irish whiskey. Precise cut, bold taste. For more inspiration, check out our Sip Tips.