A nearly forgotten classic, the Rusty Nail is a quintessential Whisky cocktail is a simple combination of Scotch and Drambuie the Scotch based liqueur. Believed to have been invented as early as the 1930s, it became a staple menu item in New York and New Orleans bars in the late 1960s. Popular for a minute, the inclusion of the golden colored liqueur offers a sweet complexity of heather honey, herbs, and spices to a simple mix.
Rusty Nail
45ml Scotch Whisky
20ml Drambuie
Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a glass over ice. Express a lemon peel over the drink and garnish. Enjoy.
Versions of the drink can be made using any aged spirit, though blended Scotch whisky is traditional.
Other variations include:
The Rusty Bob, which substitutes Bourbon whisky for blended Scotch whisky
The Rusty Ale, in which a shot of Drambuie is added to any beer, served without ice.
The Smoky Nail, which uses Islay whisky (very smoky in flavor) in place of blended Scotch whisky.
The Clavo Ahumado (Spanish for "smoky nail"), using mezcal instead of blended Scotch whisky.
The Railroad Spike, often served at brunch and made with approximately four parts Cold brewed coffee to one part Drambuie in a tall glass over ice.
The Donald Sutherland, which substitutes Canadian rye whisky for blended Scotch whisky.
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