Rusty Nail Cocktail

If you’re new to the wild world of scotch whisky, the rusty nail cocktail makes a fantastic introduction. All you need is quality scotch and Drambuie to bring to life a smooth whiskey cocktail with delightful notes of honey, herbs, and spices.

My parents had what I would have called then an extensive liquor cabinet. It was well stocked with hard liquor, aperitifs, after dinner liqueurs and who knows what else. (Hmmm. Now that I think of it, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!)

The rusty nail is a classic cocktail I remember they served at their parties. At the time I thought, “Who the heck would want to drink a cocktail with that name?”

Of course, I was young and not yet schooled in the weird names cocktails can have, like the naked lady or the pink lady.

So I didn’t understand the appeal of this easy cocktail until I finally tasted one. It’s Scotchy, sweet, spicy, delicious, and an approachable drink.

A spoonful of honey

Drambuie has been around since 1745, though it wasn’t made for export until 1914. It is a proprietary blend of aged Scotch whiskey, spices, herbs and heather honey. This gives it a sweetness and flavor that can be used to make Scotch accessible for people like Christopher, who have no taste for whisky.

The rusty nail cocktail has been attributed to a bartender who worked at the 21 Club in Manhattan. It was rumored to be named such because it was stirred with a rusty nail.

I don’t know whether that’s true, but I hope it isn’t.

In any case, thank you dear bartender who made this delicious cocktail. You’ve shown me the way to serve my husband Scotch!

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Helpful tips

• I used two measuring glasses in this post so it would be easier for me to mix two drinks, but you can use the same measuring glass for however many drinks you’re making at home.
• The best garnish for this cocktail is a lemon twist and there are a few ways to make one.
• My preferred way is to use a channeling knife, which takes a little practice to master, but can give you a thin and super long twist, if you like having fun with garnishes as much as I do.
• Another way to make a lemon twist is by slicing a thin wheel of lemon, removing its pulp and making a cut in the empty circle so the rind can be twisted.
• The way I get a tightly coiled twist (not pictured in this post) is to wrap the twist around something thin, like a chop stick.
• A third way to cut a lemon twist garnish I also did for this post. I took a paring knife and cut a wide swatch of the lemon skin or rind, without cutting deeply into the pith.
• The reason I use big ice cubes for this cocktail is because it takes a long time for the cubes to melt which means less water in the drink.
• I’m using two double old fashioned glasses but you could also use a rocks glass instead.

How to make the rusty nail cocktail

Unlike many of my cocktails, which call for a shaker, you will be building this cocktail directly in the glass. And for this drink I like to use BIG ice cubes. This is the tray I make them with.

Pre-step

Cut the garnish. (See helpful tips above for cutting lemon twists.)

Get a cocktail spoon and two old fashioned glasses. Place a large ice cube in each glass or fill each glass halfway with regular cubes.

After measuring the ingredients, pour directly into each glass.

Step one

Get your Scotch and Drambuie.

Step two

Measure out 4 ounces of Scotch – 2 ounces per glass.

Step three

Next, measure out 1 1/2 ounces of Drambuie – .75 ounces per glass.

When I brought it home from the liquor store, Christopher cracked it open to smell it and then he took a sip.

“Mmmmm, I could put this in my tea instead of honey.”

I blinked at him, wondering if a pod person had replaced my husband. Then I laughed nervously.

“Just kidding,” he chuckled.

Phew! I was relieved. (But I am going to keep my eye on the level of that Drambuie bottle.)

I pour that slightly sweet spicy liquor over the ice to meet the Scotch.

Silliness

“Hello Drambuie, you taste a little like me,” says the Scotch.

Drambuie laughs, “Only sweeter, better and spicier!”

“Says you!” the Scotch retorts.

All that is left is to stop acting as though the liquors are people and go to . . .

Step three

Take the cocktail spoon and stir the ingredients together.

Step four

Add the lemon twist garnishes.

Let’s look at the vertical view.

A little better, but still some condensation. That’s how fast the ice is chilling the drink.

Now for the aerial view.

Christopher took possession of one and nursed it for the rest of the night. Such control. I slurped mine.

I hope you enjoyed this rusty nail cocktail recipe.

Other popular Scotch recipes

• Godfather cocktail
• Mamie Taylor cocktail
• Rob Roy cocktail

And as always, may all your dishes/drinkies be delish!

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

Previously published in October of 2016.