With its honey and herbs, and the strong smoky Scotch flavors, there may be a temptation to write off Drambuie as being too difficult to mix. It's not the easiest liqueur to work with, but there are a number of options, especially for short drinks. Sweet drinks are an easy and natural thought, but using citrus or soda in the mix will tone down the sugar.
MacKinnon
The drink shares its name with the family that owns the secret Drambuie recipe. The cocktail appeared in Esquire in the 1930s.
- 2 oz. Drambuie
- 1/2 oz. white rum
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
Combine the Drambuie, rum, and juices in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake well and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top off with chilled club soda.
Drambuie Espresso Martini
- 1 1/2 oz. Drambuie
- 1 oz. creme de cacao
- 1 oz. espresso
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to mix, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Bent Nail
This cocktail is a variation of the classic Rusty Nail.
- 1/2 oz. Drambuie
- 1 tsp. Kirschwasser cherry brandy
- 1 1/2 oz. Canadian whiskey
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Kiltlifter
- 1 1/2 oz. Scotch whisky
- 1 oz. Drambuie
- 2 1/2 oz. Rose's lime juice
Shake gently to combine, and pour over ice in an old-fashioned glass.
Loch Lomond
- 2 oz. Scotch whisky
- 1/2 oz. Drambuie
- 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
Combine the whisky, Drambuie, and vermouth in a shaker half-filled with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and serve garnished with a lemon twist.
Warm Woolly Sheep
- 1 oz. Scotch whisky
- 1 1/2 oz. Drambuie
- warm milk
Combine the whisky and Drambuie in a heat-safe mug. Top off with warm milk, and stir lightly.
Black Tartan
- 1 part Johnnie Walker Black whisky
- 1 part Irish whisky
- 1 part Drambuie
- 1 1/2 part Kahlua
Combine all ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass to serve.
Rusty Fogg
- 1 part Drambuie
- 1 part whiskey
- 3 parts ginger beer
- lime juice
Pour the Drambuie and whiskey over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Add a squeeze of lime juice, and top off with ginger beer. Serve garnished with a slice of orange.
Buie Coffee
- 1 oz. Drambuie
- 1/2 oz. dark creme de cacao
- 4 oz. hot coffee
- 2 oz. cream
Combine the Drambuie, creme de cacao, and coffee into a footed mug. Float the cream on top of the drink. Serve garnished with a dusting of cocoa powder.
Bobby Burns
- 2 oz. Scotch whisky
- 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
- 1/2 oz. Drambuie
Stir ingredients together in a mixing glass, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Angie Rayfield - Angie is a self-taught beer aficionado, who cheerfully confesses, "I didn't always love beer. In fact, I hated it. I only learned to drink ...
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