The spelling of whisk(e)y can be confusing and I think it’s all a bit silly but people care about these things.

Whiskycomes from Scotland, Canada, and Japan

Whiskeycomes from America and Ireland

Multiplewhiskiescome from Scotland, Canada, and Japan

Multiplewhiskeyscome from America and Ireland

The short way to remember that is the countries with E’s in their names, United States of America and Ireland, are spelled with an E in whiskey.

But as more countries begin making whisk(e)y, we’ll have to revisit the question. There are already whiskies from India, Sweden, and Wales, all spelled without the E despite the Es in some of their names.

Did all that thinking make you thirsty? Me too! Here’s a super easy, low-thinking whiskey drink made with Irish whiskey brand Paddy.

Feel free to substitute any blended Irish whiskey for Paddy. You can also substitute honey syrup (honey diluted in equal parts boiling water) in this recipe for easier mixing- just double the amount. For the bitters, you can try substituting a different brand of citrusy bitters if you have them. I used two dashes of grapefruit bitters and one dash of Angostura.

Derry Derby
By Phil Mauro of Rye in San Francisco

2 fl. oz. Paddy Irish Whiskey
.75 fl. oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
.5 fl. oz. Honey
2 dashes Bittermens Boston Bittahs

Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain (to remove pulp) into a cocktail glass.