Many of us invest lots of energy planning the perfect party celebration while others are more impromptu – preferring to throw together a festive night on a moment’s notice. While assembling the guest list is always the first mood elevating step and contemplating menus from hors d’oeuvres to multi-course meals sets a tone, a hot new trend is serving up a uniquely spirited signature cocktail. From warming up the crowd with a hot toddy to a unique blend of ingredients specifically combined to go down smooth and easy, a specialty cocktail — especially one that you guests might not anticipate — can be the perfect addition to make your perfectly planned or spontaneous party a taste to remember.

Recently while on the search for some new party ideas, we discovered two specialty cocktails from Kansas Distilled Whiskey that caught our imaginations while making our tastebuds salivate.

One named a Sunset Manhattan (yes, as New Yorkers the name piqued our ears) and the other a warm and toasty surprise called a Kansas Horchata caught our eyes as it is a lovely sight that’s served warm with oat milk as a  key ingredient!

So if you’re looking to elevate your party hosting prowess with ease – consider grabbing some Kansas Whiskey as your essential base because it’s a very smooth whiskey experience that doesn’t burn and is great alone due to its subtle notes of vanilla, crème brulee and toasted nuts. Then, to add some more special celebratory fun, serve up either of these perfect cocktail recipes.

SUNSET MANHATTAN

2 oz Kansas Whiskey

1 ounce Cointreau

Juce of 1 lemon

½ oz Honey Syrup (Honey syrup is honey diluted with water)

In a shaker with ice, combine all ingredients

Strain

Serve strait up or over ice

 

 KANSAS HORCHATA

2 oz Kansas Whiskey

1 cup Extra Creamy Oat Milk

1 tbsp sugar

Dash of almond extract

Dash of vanilla extract

 

Heat oat milk, add extracts, sugar and Kansas Whiskey

Transfer to serving mug. Top with Whipped Cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon powder

 

REMEMBER: Celebrate safely. PLEASE drink responsibly and do not drink and drive. Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems. Also, according to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.