Rusty Nail

A Rusty Nail is a pretty heady sipper made from two very boozy ingredients: Scotch and Scotch-based Drambuie liqueur. While it may not be as popular as the martini or the Negroni, it’s one of the classic cocktails everyone should know. Sip a Rusty Nail in your black-tie best like Frank Sinatra and the boys, raise one in front of a roaring fire with friends, or nurse one at home with a good book. It’s a drink that fits all scenarios.

Where did the Rusty Nail originate?

We may never know why exactly this drink is called a Rusty Nail. Some believe it’s because of its color, or that it might be because of the large iron nails used in shipbuilding on the coast of Scotland. It’s unclear also who came up with the cocktail, though the first Rusty Nail drink recipe was known to have been mixed up in the late 1930s. But in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Rusty Nail became synonymous with the Rat Pack and their celebrity lifestyle. Eventually, Georgina MacKinnon, chairwoman of Drambuie, trademarked the name Rusty Nail in 1963. Everything else is the stuff of legend.

What is Drambuie?

Drambuie is a whisky liqueur made from Scotch whisky and a secret blend of herbs, spices and heather honey essences. The name, roughly translated from the Scottish Gaelic, means “the drink that satisfies.” History has it that Drambuie started as a thank-you gift. In 1746, Prince Charles Edward Stuart (aka Bonnie Prince Charlie) had lost his battle to secure the British throne and needed to get out of dodge. Stuck on the Isle of Skye off the coast of Scotland, the Clan MacKinnon aided his escape. In return for their help, the prince shared the secret recipe of his personal elixir for strength and vitality. The recipe for Drambuie is still only known by three people and remains under lock and key in a safe near Glasgow.

Rusty Nail Ingredients

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• Scotch: Scotch and whiskey are not the same thing. There are many rules and regulations around what can officially be called Scotch. Most importantly, Scotch must be produced in Scotland, so the beauty of good Scotch is in how its flavors reflect the Scottish geography. Scotch can run the gamut of flavors, from warm and spicy to smoky and salty, but each bottle holds the story of the people who made it. For our Rusty Nail recipe, I like a blended Scotch like Auchentoshen, Dewar’s or Famous Grouse.
• Drambuie liqueur: Drambuie’s flavors include citrus rind and spiced honey, which expand the Scotch’s flavor profile in this cocktail.
• Bitters: Highlighting the orange elements of the drink, a couple drops of bitters increase the complexity of a Rusty Nail. And, of course, add a slight bitterness. Peychaud’s, which falls on the sweeter side of bitter, is a go-to for this cocktail,
• Orange peel strip: Use a Y-shaped peeler to cut a good-sized swath of orange peel for your garnish. Don’t forget to express the oils by holding the peel skin-side down and squeezing, then swipe them across the rim of the glass for that perfect sip.

Directions

Step 1: Stir the ingredients

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Combine the Scotch, Drambuie and bitters in a mixing glass with ice, then stir until they’re chilled.

Step 2: Strain and garnish the cocktail

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Strain the Rusty Nail into a rocks glass and then garnish it with orange peel.

Editor’s Tip: This is a great time to use a single big clear ice cube. A larger cube melts more slowly, allowing you more time to enjoy the cocktail before it gets watered down.

Can you make a Rusty Nail ahead of time?

Since a Rusty Nail is made with all 80-proof alcohol, it can be mixed in batches without ice and stored safely in the refrigerator or freezer. However, the proportions to the Rusty Nail cocktail recipe are simple (and Scotch can be divisive), so you may want to skip it when planning cocktails for a group and stir them up one at a time as requested.

Recipe Variations

• Add coffee: Drambuie is a well-known match for coffee. Add a shot of espresso to your Rusty Nail, or try an espresso martini with Drambuie. Both might surprise you!
• Switch your spirit: Use Canadian whisky to make it a Rusty Compass, or American bourbon to make it a Rusty Spike (the Brits built ships while Americans built railroads).
• Make it a spritz: Because a Rusty Nail is so boozy, pouring some soda on top or adding a good measure in a tall glass makes this drink refreshing and easier to drink.

Rusty Nail Tips

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What type of glass do you use for a Rusty Nail?

This just-over-two-ounce pour fits nicely in an old-fashioned glass, but I like to use a double old-fashioned or a rocks glass so there’s enough room for a big ol’ ice cube in there. But with the many types of cocktail glasses out there, there’s no rule; just choose your favorite.

What’s the best type of Scotch for a Rusty Nail?

The first rule of thumb when it comes to Scotch is that some are meant to be drunk neat, and some are better for mixing. It’s best to enjoy a single malt on its own, while you can be a little less discerning with a blended Scotch. Price is certainly not reflective of quality, but it is a good indicator of whether you want to add anything that might change its flavor. The second rule: You do you! If you love Drambuie, you might want to mix it with an expensive single malt. The best drink is a well-enjoyed drink. Try Talisker whisky, the only Scotch distilled on the Isle of Skye (where the Clan MacKinnon first received the Drambuie recipe), for a fun pairing.

How do you stir a cocktail?

Stirring a cocktail looks easy but does take some practice. Find a good, heavy mixing glass (I do have a soft spot for vintage cocktail accessories) and a long bar spoon. Place the bar spoon between the thumb and first two fingers of your hand, with the handle of the spoon running between the ring finger and the middle finger. Put the spoon in the glass, almost to the bottom, and stir around the outside, aiming the spoon toward the quarter hours of the glass as if it were a clock. You want to do about 50 revolutions or 30 to 45 seconds.

What can you serve with a Rusty Nail?

Picture a relaxing post-dinner drink by a fireplace with an assortment of sweet treats that contrast with the cocktail. Maybe an array of easy cheesecakes and chocolate truffles? Since Drambuie goes so well with coffee, a batch of espresso cookies sounds splendid. Or rewind to cocktail hour with some smoked salmon canapes and a cheese board featuring strong aged cheddar or blue cheese. The world is your oyster—in fact, oysters are also a famous match for Scotch!