Scotch Cocktails to make at Home
Written by Emma C | Updated May 2024
For whisky enthusiasts and mixology beginners alike, Scotch cocktails offer a remarkable avenue to explore the rich and nuanced world of scotch whisky in a whole new light. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur seeking to refine your palate or a beginner eager to experiment with flavors, there's something truly special about crafting a drink that highlights the intricate notes of a well-curated Scotch.
In this blog, we'll guide you through the essentials of mixing Scotch cocktails, providing tips on how to select the ideal Scotch to elevate your concoctions. From smoky to sweet, our curated selections from our exclusive Scotch clubs will ensure every sip is a celebration of flavor. Join us as we raise a glass to the art of Scotch cocktails!
Curated Scotch Selections: Join Taster’s Club Today
Discover Scotch whisky with Taster's Club Scotch Club, which offers two exceptional journeys. These journeys feature handpicked bottles from Scotland's premier distilleries, allowing you to explore everything from Speyside's intricate richness to Islay's intense peat, ensuring an unforgettable flavor adventure.
Give a GiftJoin a GiftWhat is Scotch
Whisky and scotch—often used interchangeably, but is there really a difference? Absolutely! Scotch is a special type of whisky, strictly crafted in Scotland. It's the most renowned whisky globally, thanks to its Scottish origins. Yet, whisky is a versatile spirit produced worldwide. For instance, America offers rich bourbon whiskey, while Japan's Honshu island is celebrated for its creamy, spicy whiskies.
Scotch is a type of whisky that is synonymous with Scotland. Legally, it must be distilled and matured in Scotland to earn its name, and it's defined by its unique production process and use of malted barley. Scotch whisky has a storied history and is renowned for its complex flavors and diverse styles.
Regions
Scotch is nuanced by its region of origin, which contributes significantly to its character:
- Highlands: Known for their bold and sweet flavors, Highland scotches often exhibit a wide range of tastes from floral to peaty.
- Lowlands: Traditionally lighter and more delicate, Lowland scotches are often described as grassy and gentle with a soft finish.
- Speyside: Home to a high concentration of distilleries, Speyside offers sweet and rich whiskies with notes of honey and fruit.
- Islay: Famous for its intensely peaty and smoky whiskies, Islay scotches are known for their maritime character.
- Campbeltown: Producing robust and complex flavors, Campbeltown whiskies offer a briny and slightly salty taste.
- Islands (unofficial): While not officially recognized as a distinct region, these whiskies encompass diverse
flavors, often with a touch of maritime influence and smoke.
Scotch offers a remarkable spectrum of flavors, influenced by factors like the region, distillation process, and aging. From the rich, dried fruit notes of a sherry cask-aged Speyside to the smoky, iodine character of an Islay malt, there's a Scotch for every palate. Beginners might start with something light and approachable, while enthusiasts may appreciate the complexity of heavily peated varieties.
Ways to Enjoy Whiskey
One of the most enjoyable aspects of drinking Scotch is in our favorite cocktails below:
Scotch Cocktails
1. Rob Roy
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Scotch whiskey, preferably blended Scotch
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: Maraschino cherry
Instructions
- In a mixing glass half-filled with ice, pour in the Scotch whiskey, vermouth, and Angostura bitters.
- Strain into a chilled rocks glass.
- Garnish with your maraschino cherry.
- Enjoy!
2. Scotch Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Scotch whiskey
- 1 tsp Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: orange peel
Instructions
- Add simple syrup to a rocks glass.
- Stir with 2 dashes of bitters (or more to your liking).
- Add 1 ounce of whiskey, then stir.
- Add two large ice cubes.
- Add two large ice cubes.
- Stir, and add in the remaining 1 ounces of whiskey.
3. Scotch Collins
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Scotch whiskey
- ¾ ounces lemon or lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Garnish: citrus wheel
Instructions
- Place Scotch, citrus juice, and simple syrup in a shaker.
- Fill half of the shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously.
- Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice.
- Top with soda.
- Garnish with a citrus wheel.
4. Bobby Burns
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces single malt Scotch
- 1 ½ ounces sweet Vermouth
- ¾ ounce Bénédictine
- Ice
- Garnish: Lemon peel
Instructions
- Chill a cocktail glass.
- In a shaker, combine Scotch, Vermouth and Bénédictine.
- Add the ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with the lemon peel.
5. Rusty Nail
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Drambuie
- 1 ounce Scotch, preferably blended
- Ice
- Garnish: lemon wedge or peel
Instructions
- Combine the Drambuie and Scotch in a rocks glass.
- Add the ice and stir.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge or peel.
6. Penicillin
Ingredients
- 3 slices fresh ginger root
- ¾ ounces simple syrup
- ¾ ounces lemon juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 2 ounces blended Scotch
- Ice
- ¼ ounce smoky single-malt Scotch
Instructions
- Muddle the ginger root and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- Add the lemon juice and blended Scotch.
- Add ice and shake vigorously to chill.
- Strain over ice in a rocks glass.
- Pour the single malt over the back of a spoon to float on the top of the drink.
7. Presbyterian
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Scotch whiskey
- 2 ounces club soda
- 2 ounces ginger ale
- Garnish: Lemon twist
Instructions
- Pour the Scotch whiskey into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Fill with club soda and ginger ale.
- Stir vigorously.
- Garnish: Lemon wedge or twist.
8. Whisky in Church
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Islay scotch
- ¾ ounce oloroso sherry
- 1 tablespoon grade B maple syrup
- 6 dashes smoked cherry bitters
- Garnish: lemon twist or wedge
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over two large ice cubes.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or wedge.
Scotch is a timeless spirit that offers endless opportunities for exploration and enjoyment in these great cocktails.
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