Rusty Nail recipe
Scotch and Drambuie over ice: honey, herbs, and whisky in a two-ingredient classic that rewards a slow pour.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 2 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Blended Scotch Whisky
- 1/2 oz Drambuie
How to make a Rusty Nail
- Place one large cube in a rocks glass.
- Add Scotch and Drambuie.
- Stir briefly to chill and marry the flavors.
- Express a lemon peel over the surface.
- Serve over the large cube.
Garnish
Lemon peel.
Pro tip
Treat Drambuie like a sweetener, not a full second base spirit. Start at 1/2 oz and add only if your Scotch is very dry or smoky.
History of the Rusty Nail
The Rusty Nail became a fixture of 1960s and 1970s cocktail culture. Its name is unclear, but the Scotch-and-Drambuie pairing is one of the simplest successful whisky combinations ever made.
Flavour profile
Honey, Herbal, Malt, Citrus
Variations
- Smoky Rusty Nail — Use a lightly peated Scotch and reduce Drambuie to 1/4 oz.
- Rusty Nail Sour — Shake with 1/2 oz lemon juice and serve up.
- Irish Rusty Nail — Use Irish whiskey for a softer, fruitier drink.
Practise making the Rusty Nail in the free Virtual Bar game.