Johnnie Walker Announces National Mixology Campaign

The Scotch cocktail push will feature 11 mixologists around the country.

Gabe Orta is the national ambassador for Johnnie Walker's new Flavors of America mixology campaign.
Gabe Orta is the national ambassador for Johnnie Walker's new Flavors of America mixology campaign.

Diageo North America announced a major new Johnnie Walker mixology program today in an effort to expand the burgeoning field of Scotch cocktails. An extension of Johnnie Walker’s new Keep Walking America campaign, the Flavors of America program targets bartenders and the trade, with a focus on expanding the breadth of flavors used in blended Scotch cocktails. The initiative features a diverse array of about 50 drinks created by 11 mixologists around the country, 10 of whom are dedicated to local markets. Mixologist Gabe Orta, cofounder of the Miami cocktail consulting company Bar Lab and the drinks venue Broken Shaker, leads the program as national ambassador. “The Flavors of America program celebrates diversity and recognizes the melting pot and rich fabric of American culture,” Orta says. “The backgrounds and cultures of some of the country’s top mixologists are being showcased in a new way through this program. Each bartender has allowed the flavors of their local market culture and personal heritage to shine through in these new recipes.”

While Bourbon’s growth has propelled whisk(e)y-based cocktails to near-ubiquity, Scotch mixology has been slower to follow suit. The blended Scotch whisky category has been in the doldrums for the last few years, despite robust demand for single malt Scotch. The Flavors of America program aims to broaden the brand’s reach amidst the challenging market. Johnnie Walker was up 1.3 percent in value in the last 12 months, according to Nielsen.

Johnnie Walker Flavors of America Cocktail Recipes

Andès Road

By Gabe Orta
Andès Road
Andès Road
Ingredients

1½ ounces Johnnie Walker Red Label;

¼ ounce absinthe (brand varies);

¾ ounce passion fruit juice;

½ ounce simple syrup;

¼ ounce lemon juice;

Soda water;

Tarragon sprig.

Recipe

Add all ingredients, excluding soda water, to a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with soda water and garnish with tarragon sprig.

Carnival Swizzle

By Gabe Orta
Carnival Swizzle
Carnival Swizzle
Ingredients

1 ounce Johnnie Walker Black Label;

1 ounce velvet falernum (brand varies);

2 ounces soursop juice;

¾ ounce fresh lemon juice;

¼ ounce simple syrup;

4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters;

4 to 6 mint leaves;

Mint sprig;

Orange slice.

Recipe

Add whisky, falernum, juice and simple syrup to a Pilsner glass and fill halfway with crushed ice. Add mint and push down towards the bottom of glass. Stir using a swizzle stick and top with more crushed ice to spill over glass rim. Top with 4 dashes of bitters and add more mint and orange slice for garnish.