A Scotch Manhattan is known as a Rob Roy – the perfect balance of pleasantly smoky Scotch whiskey and sweet vermouth.
One look at a Rob Roy and you might be like, “Oh hey! It’s just a Manhattan with Scotch.” Yes, it definitely is. Just like Manhattans, the Rob Roy is a classic cocktail that was long shelved and then revived in the mid-eighties.
The Rob Roy, named after a Broadway play, dates from the late 19th century. You can think of it as Manhattan’s bolder cousin — it uses an identical alcohol ratio, but with Scotch instead of bourbon or rye.
A blended scotch works well – the subtle attributes of a more expensive bottle would be muted here. Flavors of Scotch can vary widely, from almost sweet and oaky to something that tastes like licking a fire pit.
Taste a familiar scotch you like. For a Rob Roy, I love a very smoky Scotch, but if the smokiness puts you off, try a milder Scotch like The Famous Grouse or a more subtle smoky Scotch like Duncan Taylor’s Blended 12-Year.
Two vermouth suggestions
With only two main ingredients, it’s important to choose a quality vermouth that you can enjoy neat. Carpano Antica’s bold, spicy profile will stand up to a smoky Scotch. I find Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth lighter and fruitier, which pairs well with lighter blended scotches.
How to serve a Rob Roy
Traditionally, a classic coupé is used to serve a Rob Roy, but I often break tradition and serve it in a Globe glass. Whichever vessel you choose, smear a large chunk of orange zest over the drink and squeeze (aka squeezing) the zest first to release the oils. It will brighten up the cocktail and give it a nice floral aroma.
Noble classic cocktails
- Gold Rush Cocktail
- Sidecar Cocktail
- Old fashioned cocktail
- Whiskey Sour Cocktail
- Trinidad Sour
Rob Roy cocktail
To make a large batch of Rob Roy cocktails, multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. Fill a large pitcher halfway with ice, then pour into the pitcher without the garnish. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds to cool. Immediately strain the cocktail into serving glasses and garnish each with an orange zest.
ingredients
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Iceto chill
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2 ounces mixed Scottish whiskey
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1 ounce sweet vermouth
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2 to 3 dashes Angostura aromatic Bitter
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Fresh Orange peelfor garnish (optional)
method
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Stir the cocktail together:
In a mixing glass or highball glass two-thirds full with ice, combine the Scotch Whisky, sweet vermouth and bitters. Stir for 20 seconds to cool.
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Strain and serve:
Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass and garnish with an orange zest. Surcharge.
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| nutritional information (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 191 | calories |
| 0g | Fat |
| 4g | carbohydrates |
| 0g | protein |
