Sophia Delgado
The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that combines Scotch whisky and Drambuie, a sweet Scotch-based liqueur flavoured with heather honey, herbs, and spices. The cocktail's lineage is contested, with some believing it was invented in 1937 for the British Industries Fair trade show. It gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s and was a favourite of the Rat Pack. The classic recipe for the cocktail uses a 2:1 ratio of Scotch to Drambuie, but modern versions may use equal parts of each for a sweeter taste. The cocktail is typically built in a glass rather than stirred or shaken, with the liquors carefully poured over ice without mixing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Ingredients | 2 |
| Ingredients | Scotch, Drambuie |
| Ratio | 2:1, 4:1, 1:1, 1.5:1, or to taste |
| Preparation | Build in a glass, do not stir or shake |
| Glassware | Rocks glass, lowball glass |
| Garnish | Lemon slice |
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What You'll Learn
Ratios of Scotch to Drambuie
The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that combines Scotch and Drambuie. The drink is typically served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass. The recipe for a Rusty Nail has varied over time, with different ratios of Scotch to Drambuie being used.
The classic recipe for the cocktail uses a 2:1 ratio of Scotch to Drambuie. This can be adjusted to personal preference, with a 1.5:1 ratio for a slightly sweeter drink, or a 1:1 ratio for a very sweet cocktail. Some recipes suggest using three parts Scotch to one part Drambuie, while others recommend four parts Scotch to one part Drambuie for a drier cocktail.
The type of Scotch used can also vary, with blended Scotch whisky being the most common choice. A mid- to high-end Scotch is recommended, such as Famous Grouse, although single malt Scotch can also be used.
The preparation method for a Rusty Nail is simple: the Scotch and Drambuie are combined in a cocktail mixing glass with ice and stirred until chilled. It is then strained and served in a chilled rocks glass. Some recipes suggest carefully pouring the Scotch and Drambuie in layers, rather than stirring them together, so that the liquids move slowly according to their densities, creating a lava lamp effect.
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Preparation and serving
The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that combines Scotch whisky and Drambuie, a sweet Scotch-based liqueur flavoured with heather honey, herbs, and spices. The cocktail dates back to 1937 and was popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
To make a Rusty Nail, you will need Scotch whisky, Drambuie, ice, a mixing glass, a bar spoon, jigger, julep strainer, and peeler. The traditional recipe calls for a 2:1 ratio of Scotch to Drambuie, but you can adjust the ratio to your taste. For a sweeter cocktail, you can use equal parts of each or add a little demerara syrup or honey. If you prefer a drier cocktail, you can use a 4:1 ratio of Scotch to Drambuie. Angostura bitters can also be added for more depth of flavour.
Begin by preparing your glassware. Place two large ice cubes in a rocks glass and set it aside in the freezer to chill. In your mixing glass, combine the desired amounts of Scotch and Drambuie with ice. Stir until chilled. Strain the cocktail into the chilled rocks glass.
For a twist on the classic recipe, you can carefully layer the Scotch and Drambuie in the glass instead of mixing them. The two liquids will slowly move according to their densities, creating a lava lamp-like effect.
The Rusty Nail is best served in a low-ball glass over ice, garnished with a lemon slice.
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History of the cocktail
The Rusty Nail cocktail is a blend of Scotch whisky and Drambuie, a drink that earned a place in the pantheon of classic cocktails during the glamorous era of the 1960s. Its origin, however, dates back to 1937 at the British Industries Fair trade show in New York, where it was initially named the B.I.F. The cocktail included a dash of bitters and failed to gain popularity, disappearing from public knowledge for a few years.
In the 1950s, the drink resurfaced under various names, including Mig 21, Knucklehead, Little Club No. 1, and D&S. It was during this time that the name "Rusty Nail" was popularized, with several intriguing stories behind its naming. One popular tale suggests that the cocktail was originally stirred with a rusty nail, while others believe the name was inspired by the rusty nails that held the cases of Drambuie together or the golden tones of the finished drink. The cocktail's name was officially cemented in 1963 when Gina MacKinnon, the chairwoman of the Drambuie Liqueur Company, endorsed the name in The New York Times.
The Rusty Nail gained widespread popularity in the 1960s, becoming a favourite of the Rat Pack, which included the likes of Frank Sinatra. The cocktail's prominence continued to grow in the following decade, with bars in New Orleans and New York serving the concoction. By the late 1960s, "Have you tried a Rusty Nail?" became a common refrain. The cocktail is often credited to the talented bartenders at the 21 Club in Manhattan, a swanky joint on East Fifty-fifth Street frequented by showbiz types.
The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that combines the smoky flavour of Scotch with the sweetness of Drambuie, resulting in a sophisticated and unique blend. While the exact origin of the cocktail remains a mystery, its history and popularity have ensured its place in the world of mixology.
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Variations on the classic
The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that combines Scotch whisky with Drambuie, a liqueur made from aged Scotch whisky, honey, spices and herbs. The essential character of the cocktail is defined by the Drambuie, so variations on the classic typically involve changing the type of spirit that is mixed with it.
The traditional recipe calls for a blend of Scotch whisky and Drambuie in a ratio ranging from 1:1 to 2:1. The cocktail can be made sweeter by increasing the proportion of Drambuie, or by adding demerara syrup or honey. The cocktail can also be garnished with a twist of citrus, usually orange, to enhance its acidity and flavour.
One variation on the spirit is to substitute bourbon for Scotch, creating a cocktail known as the Rusty Spike. Another is to use a peaty Scotch, such as Lagavulin 16. A third option is to use a fiery spirit like Jack Fire, creating a 'Firey Nail'.
The cocktail's preparation can also be varied. The original recipe calls for carefully pouring one of the liquors over the other, so that they do not mix, and move slowly according to their densities, like a lava lamp. Alternatively, the ingredients can be combined in a cocktail mixing glass with ice, then strained into a chilled glass.
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Similar cocktails
The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that combines Scotch and Drambuie. The recipe has varied over the years, with some calling for a 2:1 ratio of Scotch to Drambuie, and others suggesting equal parts. To make it sweeter, you can adjust the ratio to 1.5:1 or 1:1, or add demerara syrup or honey. Substituting bourbon for Scotch results in a variation called the Rusty Spike.
- Silver Nail: This cocktail combines equal parts of blended Scotch, Drambuie, and gin, along with a quarter ounce of lemon juice and a twist.
- Roysty Nail: A mixologist's invention, this drink is a mashup of the Rusty Nail and the Rob Roy.
- Morning Glory Fizz: A classic hangover remedy from Harry Johnson's late-19th-century Bartender's Manual, this cocktail blends Scotch and absinthe, with silky egg white and a splash of soda.
- Rob Roy: This cocktail is a Manhattan with Scotch instead of the expected bourbon or rye, resulting in a slightly leaner drink.
- Blood and Sand: This cocktail blends Scotch, cherry liqueur, orange juice, and sweet vermouth.
- Godfather: A "disco drink" from the 1970s, the Godfather combines Scotch and amaretto liqueur, with some versions adding sherry and bitter amaro.
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Frequently asked questions
A rusty nail cocktail is typically made with Scotch whisky and Drambuie, a sweet Scotch-based liqueur flavoured with heather honey, herbs and spices.
The ratio of Scotch to Drambuie in a rusty nail cocktail can vary. The classic recipe uses a 2:1 ratio, but modern versions tend to favour equal parts, and drier variations may use a 4:1 ratio.
To make a rusty nail cocktail, fill a small rocks glass with ice. Pour Scotch and Drambuie over the ice, typically without stirring, and float a lemon slice on top.
