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Here are all the Scotch cocktails worth trying! From classic cocktails to modern spins, these drinks highlight the best this whisky has to offer.
Got a bottle of Scotch and want something creative to do with it? Sure, fans of this Scottish whisky are sure to adore their favorite Scotch neat. But there are plenty of ways to mix it into a fabulous mixed drink that everyone will love…Scotch fan or not.
Here’s a list of all the best Scotch cocktails that are worth trying. There are classic cocktails with years of history (one even dates back to the 1890’s). There are modern classic cocktails that have global popularity (hello, Penicillin). And there are a couple classy 1960’s and 70’s drinks too. Each one accentuates the spicy, earthy and peppery notes of a good Scotch.
And now…the top Scotch cocktails to try!
Are you a Scotch lover? Here’s the Scotch cocktail for you: the Penicillin! This modern classic cocktail highlights the peaty flavor beautifully. Combining Scotch with lemon, honey and ginger makes for a sort of high-class version of the Whiskey Sour. While it pleases even non-Scotch fans, you’ll need two bottles of Scotch…making it a drink for die hards.
Looking for a unique classic Scotch cocktail that will impress everyone? Try the Blood and Sand! It’s one of the few classic cocktails with Scotch from the 1920’s and 30’s. It’s similar to a Manhattan or Martinez, but with with blood orange juice and cherry liqueur. It’s light and semi-sweet, with a balanced and cherry-forward flavor. This one will please even people who are on the fence about Scotch.
Got a bottle of blended Scotch? Here’s a favorite way to use it in a cocktail: mix it into a whiskey sour! It's crisp and sweet tart at the beginning of the sip. But wait a split second until the finish: it’s smoky and peaty, unlike any whiskey sour you’ve ever tasted! It's an irresistibly interesting drink.
Here’s a Scotch cocktail for both Scotch lovers and drinkers who need a little extra convincing. Try the Godfather! With just two ingredients, it balances the nutty sweetness of amaretto with the spicy finish of whiskey. The hint of amaretto gives the Scotch a unique nutty intrigue that makes it more palatable than drinking straight up.
What if you’re a Scotch lover and a Manhattan lover? Make 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! It’s a retro slow-sipper that’s been around for over a century (since 1894, in fact). Top it with a cherry and it’s the ideal way to mix up your Manhattan.
Scotch lovers, this one’s for you! Here’s one of the most famous Scotch cocktails of them all: the Rusty Nail. This slow sipper got popular in the 1960’s, pairing whisky with Drambuie, a Scotch-based liqueur. All you need is two ingredients and you get lots of flavor: honey, herb and sweet notes from the Drambuie, and a spicy finish from the Scotch.
Types of Scotch
Are you a Scotch fan? Chances are, you’ll know the Scotch you love. In most of these cocktails, you can use whatever you have on hand! 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. Most of the cocktails above call for blended Scotch.
- Single Malt Scotch: Single malt Scotch is a malt whisky that’s from one distillery, and it’s usually more expensive. What does single malt Scotch taste like? The flavor is a bit stronger than a blended Scotch, with peaty and smoky notes.
