Rusty Nail
A bold, honey-sweet classic in which Scotch and Drambuie melt into something warm and mellow.
Ingredients
- Blended Scotch60 ml
- Drambuie30 ml
- Lemon, to garnish (optional)1 twist
Method
- Put one large piece of ice or several cubes into a rocks glass.
- Pour the Scotch and Drambuie into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir calmly for about 30 seconds to chill and lightly dilute the drink.
- Strain into the prepared glass through a julep strainer.
- Twist a strip of lemon peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it into the glass.
About this drink
Scotch and Drambuie were being mixed long before the Rusty Nail had its name; one story traces the pairing to the British Industries Fair of 1937. The drink found its real audience in the 1950s and 1960s, helped by New York's 21 Club and the Rat Pack, who made it a bar-room regular. The name is said to come from bartenders stirring it with a rusty nail, but today it is all about the balance of malt and honey.
Questions and answers
What is a Rusty Nail?
Scotch whisky and Drambuie, the honeyed, spiced whisky liqueur, stirred together over ice. A simple, spirit-forward drink in which the Drambuie softens the whisky's edge.
Can I use a single malt instead of blended Scotch in a Rusty Nail?
You can, but a bold single malt can easily overwhelm the Drambuie. Blended Scotch is the traditional, more balanced route.
