The Bobby Burns is the Scotch drinker’s Manhattan, named after the poet and drunk on Burns Night when someone feels like making an effort. This Bobby Burns recipe is Scotch, sweet vermouth and a little Bénédictine, and it’s smooth, herbal and slightly sweet.
It’s also one of the few cocktails that actually works with a good blended Scotch, and it shows off the smoother, softer side of the spirit.
1
serving3
minutesScotch, sweet vermouth and Bénédictine, stirred and served up. Smooth, herbal and a little honeyed.
Ingredients
45 ml (1½ oz) blended Scotch
25 ml (¾ oz) sweet vermouth
1 bar spoon (5 ml) Bénédictine
Ice
Lemon peel, to garnish
Method
- Chill a coupe glass.
- Add the Scotch, vermouth and Bénédictine to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir for about 25 seconds, until very cold.
- Strain into the coupe and twist a lemon peel over the top.
Thomas’s tip
- Bénédictine is strong and sweet, so a bar spoon is plenty. Pour more and it takes over the drink.
What does a Bobby Burns taste like?
Malty Scotch and sweet vermouth, with honey and herbs from the Bénédictine and a little lemon oil on top. It’s smoother and gentler than a Manhattan, and a bit richer. I think it’s the best case for blended Scotch in a cocktail.
Tips for a better Bobby Burns
Use a decent blended Scotch with some body. Very light blends vanish, and very peaty ones take over.
Serve it in a chilled coupe and drink it quickly. It’s at its best while it’s still very cold.
Bobby Burns variations
Add a dash of orange bitters for a bit more depth. Swap the lemon peel for an orange one if you prefer. Or go for a drier version with less vermouth. For a simpler Scotch cocktail, try a Rob Roy.
Best whisky for a Bobby Burns
A blended Scotch with a little smoke and a bit of sweetness. Around 40% to 43%.
Bobby Burns: quick answers
What is in a Bobby Burns cocktail?
Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth and Bénédictine, stirred and served up with a lemon peel.
Why is it called a Bobby Burns?
It’s named after Robert Burns, the Scottish poet. It’s often served on Burns Night, which is 25 January.
What’s the difference between a Bobby Burns and a Rob Roy?
A Rob Roy is Scotch, sweet vermouth and bitters. A Bobby Burns replaces the bitters with Bénédictine, which adds honey and herbs.
Bénédictine is strong and sweet, so a bar spoon is plenty. Pour more and it takes over the drink.
Thomas Grønvold is the founder of Caskable and a whisky enthusiast who believes the best way to learn about whisky is simply to drink it, compare it, and stay curious. From supermarket favourites to bottles from distilleries around the world, he writes about what he actually tastes and experiences, without pretending you need to be an expert to enjoy a good dram.
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