I've always wanted to enjoy whisky.

My partner loves it; has ever since we met.

While I'd love to sit down with him and enjoy his drink of choice (I feel silly we don't already), I haven't got into it just yet and I think I've figured out why.

For as long as I can remember, there's been a stereotype that whisky is a man's alcohol; a 'boy's club' drink of choice.

Do you envision middle-aged white men sipping it on the rocks, surrounded by leather armchairs and cigar smoke? I used to.

Whisky brand The Glenlivet is on a mission to break the stereotype of the traditional whisky drinker.

Embodying the modern-day whisky drinker, brand ambassador, Anna Paquin (True Blood), is taking a stand for everyone who likes to challenge the unwritten rules of whisky and drink theirs however they like, regardless of who they are.

The brand has even broken the Google search algorithm to broaden representation within the alcohol category.

If you search 'whisky drinker' on Google Images, you'll no longer see an array of old white men, but instead, a colourful montage of real, diverse whisky drinkers in 2022.

With Anna as my inspiration, I'm going to become a whisky drinker this year - but I'm going to need to work my way up to it.

Watch: The Glenlivet #BreakTheStereotype. Post continues below.

Before I challenge those stereotypes and become another modern-day whisky drinker - preferably on the rocks with my partner - I'm starting out slowly with whisky cocktails. (Because everything goes down smoother with some sugar in it.)

If you're looking to get into whisky too, join me, and start out with these five whisky cocktails.

From a Caribbean Mai Tai to a whisky tonic, here are six cocktails whisky beginners are going to want to try.

1. Caribbean Mai Tai.

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Build all ingredients over ice in a glass.

2. Top with peach sparkling water.

3. Enjoy!

2. The Glenlivet Royale.

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Pour The Glenlivet 12, lemon juice and honey water into a chilled flute.

2. Top with champagne, stir and garnish with a lemon twist.

3. Enjoy!

3. The Glenlivet and Tonic.

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Peel a teaspoon of ginger root and blend the peeled ginger in a food processor.

2. The juice should be stirred with an equal volume of golden syrup, until it is thoroughly combined.

3. Stir together The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, lemon juice and golden ginger syrup in a tall glass with cubed ice.

4. Top up with tonic water.

5. Garnish with a sliced ginger and pieces of crystallised ginger.

6. Enjoy!

4. Apple Cinnamon Spritz.

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Pour the apple cider, The Glenlivet 12 Year Old and simple syrup into the bottom of a wine glass.

2. Sprinkle with the cinnamon, add ice, and stir to combine until well chilled.

3. Top with sparkling wine, garnish with apple slices, lemon, and cinnamon stick and serve immediately.

4. Enjoy!

5. Orchard Shelter.

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake without ice to build a bubble matrix with the egg white.

2. Once a frothy texture has been achieved add ice and shake hard to chill.

3. Strain into a chilled coupette and garnish with a quarter of a ripe fig.

4. Enjoy!

6. Spiced Spey Coffee.

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Warm a small wine glass with boiling water.

2. Pour out the hot water.

3. Mix the chocolate, whisky, coffee, syrup and cayenne pepper together in a heated glass.

4. Gently pour the cream over the back of a spoon to create a creamy layer.

5. Garnish with chocolate shavings, adding another small pinch of cayenne pepper.

6. Enjoy!

Which whisky cocktail will you be making first? Tell us in the comments below.

The Glenlivet continues to break traditions, set new standards and move things forward. #BreakTheStereotype by trying their whisky for yourself and discover the full range here .

Always drink responsibly.

Feature Image: Mamamia/The Glenlivet.

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