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The Rob Roy cocktail is a Manhattan made with Scotch whisky! Here’s how to make this boozy, sophisticated classic drink.
If you’re a Scotch lover and a Manhattan lover, I’ve got the drink for you: the Rob Roy! The Rob Roy drink is a Manhattan cocktail made with Scotch whisky instead of bourbon or rye. This booze-forward drink is the perfect way to enjoy a good Scotch!
This classic is a retro slow-sipper that’s been around for over a century. Top it with a Luxardo cherry and it’s a fun way to mix up your Manhattan.
What’s The Rob Roy Drink?
The Rob Roy drink was born in 1894, so it’s a classic cocktail with a history. Though it’s not nearly as famous as its cousin the Manhattan, it’s still widely made today.
Why is it called Rob Roy? Well, it’s named in honor of the premier of an operetta, a very 1890’s thing to do (right?). The operetta was based on a Scottish folk hero named Rob Roy MacGregor. You’ll need the same ingredients as a Manhattan, but with Scotch instead of rye whiskey:
- Scotch whiskey
- Sweet red vermouth
- Angostura or orange bitters
- Cocktail cherry for the garnish
Choosing Your Scotch Whisky
For the Rob Roy drink, use your favorite type of Scotch! If you’re a fan, you probably already have your favorite bottles. We used a Dewar’s Blended Scotch whisky, which we had on hand from making the Penicillin cocktail, another great Scotch drink. Here’s a little more about Scotch types:
- Blended Scotch: Blended Scotch has a smooth flavor: almost like bourbon, but with more of a spicy finish. As its name suggests, it’s made by blending two types of whisky: barrel-aged malt whisky and grain whisky. This is what we suggest using here.
- Single Malt Scotch: Single malt Scotch is a malt whisky that’s from one distillery, and it’s usually a little more expensive. If you have one, you can certainly also use it in the Rob Roy.
All About Sweet Vermouth
Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning that liquor has been added. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet (usually red) and dry (usually white). Here’s a bit more about vermouth:
- Sweet vermouth is subtly sweet and spicy, with a hit of bitter on the back end. It’s used in many classic cocktails like the Negroni, Americano, and the Hanky Panky. It’s a versatile ingredient that’s absolutely worth adding to your collection!
- Dry vermouth: Dry white vermouth is used in martinis, like the Classic Martini, Dirty Martini and Cucumber Martini.
You can also drink sweet vermouth on the rocks as an aperitif. Make sure to store vermouth in the refrigerator: it stays good there for up to 3 months.
Bitters and The Luxardo Cherry
Cocktail bitters are used in cocktails to add a complexity and a bitter finish to the sip, like in a Classic Old Fashioned. For a Rob Roy, angostura bitters is the most popular type and easy to find; they have a flavor that’s slightly spicy and very bitter. You can also use orange bitters: they’re more citrusy than Angostura bitters with notes of orange, cardamom and nutmeg. See my Top Orange Bitters Cocktails.
The classic garnish for a Manhattan and a Rob Roy drink is a Luxardo cherry: a cocktail cherry that is dark red and tastes complex, fruity, and nutty almost like amaretto (it’s easy to find them get them online).
When To Serve a Rob Roy
The Rob Roy is a sophisticated and complex Scotch cocktail. It’s perfect for sipping as a:
- Cocktail hour
- Cold-weather sipping before a fall or winter dinner party
- Alongside some nibbles like sharp cheddar, spiced nuts, or a cheese board
- When you’re wondering what drinks to make with a bottle of Scotch
Rob Roy Cocktail
The Rob Roy drink is a Manhattan made with Scotch whisky! This booze-forward cocktail is a sophisticated way to enjoy a good Scotch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) blended Scotch whisky
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) sweet red vermouth
- 3 dashes Angostura or orange bitters
- For the garnish: Luxardo cherry or other cocktail cherry
Instructions
- Combine the Scotch, vermouth and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass (or any other type of glass). Fill the mixing glass with 1 handful ice and stir continuously for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and serve.
Excellent 👌
You guys are my go-to site when I need to make something! From food to drinks you rock! :) And I enjoy my ‘imbibe’. Thank you.
Thanks for the whisky recipies.
Here is one.
I call it Château en ruine de Touraine. Castle ruins of Touraine
or Castle Ruins
1 Grand Marnier
1 Drambuie
2 Scotch whisky (Chivas is good)
squeeze of fresh lime juice
fresh mint leaf
dash bitters
build in shaker over lots of ice.
Shake with vigor,
strain into a (chilled) martini glass
garnish with a mint leaf or citus peel
or strain into Old Fashioned or Highball/Cooler glass onto plenty of ice
for a longer drink
works with rum, bourbon. Works very well with peaty single malts(Grown ups only!)
Sounds great!