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6 Essential Scotch Cocktails That You Need to Know

Sam Slaughter
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Scotch whisky isn’t called the water of life for nothing — it’s a divine spirit that works on so many levels. It brightens the days of the sad and it calms the nerve-wracked masses. It’s always there for you. You can drink it neat, on the rocks, or with a few drops of water — however you choose, it’s a wonderful liquor.

We will admit that there are times that we want to enjoy Scotch whisky in a cocktail.  We’re not saying use that bottle of Macallan 50 Years Old to mix up a drink, but if you’ve got a nice mid-shelf whisky, you can occasionally step outside your comfort zone and mix up a Scotch whisky cocktail to drink any time of the day. Below, you’ll find four classic Scotch cocktails for this summer. Try a classic whisky riff and one modern classic (courtesy of New York City bartender Sam Ross) that you should know how to make for yourself and for any of the Scotch-loving people in your life.

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Need to pick up a bottle of Scotch to try these cocktails out? We’ve found the best Scotch under $50.

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More Cocktail Recipes:

The Rusty Nail

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Add ingredients to a rock glass filled with ice.
  2. Stir and garnish with a twist of lemon.

The Rob Roy

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Scotch whisky
  • .75 oz sweet vermouth
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir.
  2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.

The Bobby Burns

A classic riff on the Rob Roy Alaincouillaud / Getty Images

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Scotch whisky
  • .75 oz sweet vermouth
  • .25 oz Bénédictine
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir.
  2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.

The Blood and Sand

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ingredients:

  • .75 oz blended Scotch whisky
  • .75 oz sweet vermouth
  • .75 oz Cherry Heering
  • .75 oz blood orange juice

Method:

  1. Put all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  3. Garnish with an orange peel.

The Presbyterian

highball cocktail japan
Brent Hofacker/Adobe / Adobe

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz blended Scotch whisky
  • Ginger ale, to fill

Method:

  1. Add ice to a highball glass.
  2. Pour in Scotch and top with ginger ale.
  3. Stir briefly to incorporate.

Penicillin

whiskey cocktail lemon rocks glass
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(Created by Sam Ross, New York City)

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz blended Scotch whisky
  • .25 oz Islay single malt Scotch
  • .75 oz fresh lemon juice
  • .75 oz honey syrup
  • 3 slices fresh ginger

Method:

  1. Muddle ginger in a cocktail shaker until well broken up. Add blended Scotch, lemon, and honey syrup.
  2. Add ice and shake well.
  3. Double strain into a rocks glass with ice and float the Islay Scotch over top by pouring over the back a bar spoon.

Once you’ve mastered these essential Scotch cocktails, try mixing up some of these other easy cocktail recipes.

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Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
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