Calories:180
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:4g
Alcohol:22%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
The Rob Roy cocktail, named after the Scottish folk hero Robert Roy MacGregor, was created in 1894 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. It is a variation of the classic Manhattan cocktail, but uses Scotch whisky instead of American rye whiskey.
The Rob Roy has a rich, smoky, and slightly sweet taste with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth. It has a warming and full-bodied mouthfeel, making it a perfect sipping cocktail for colder months.
The smoky, peaty goodness of Scotch is what gives the Rob Roy its backbone. Typically 2 oz is just enough to assert its dominance without overpowering the drink. If you skimp on the Scotch, the cocktail might become a vermouth-forward, rather confusing affair.
Sweet vermouth brings a rich, herby sweetness that rounds out the Scotch and cuts down on any possible away-from-home bitterness. 1 oz is the sweet spot, pardon the pun, to achieve harmony between spirit and modifier. Too little, you lose complexity; too much, and you’re entering sangria territory without the fruit.
Just a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters add depth and complexity with its blend of botanicals. It’s like adding a sprinkle of fairy dust – small but mighty. Without it, the drink loses its edge and becomes too smooth, like a rom-com without the com.
A single maraschino cherry is the edible jewel that tops off the aesthetic. It adds a touch of sweetness and an excuse to eat something after you’re done sipping. Leaving it out is not a deal-breaker, but you'll miss out on a classic garnish and that pop of color and sweetness at the end.
Finally, the orange twist. Its citrus oils add an aromatic touch when expressed over the drink, making the first sip come alive with zest. Without it, the cocktail still tastes great, but it’s like wearing a suit without the tie – not quite complete.
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Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainInsert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
Learn everything on how to stirGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingIf you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
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While the Rob Roy cocktail can be comfortably served in any glass, it is traditionally served in a coupe or martini glass. These types of glass enhance the visual appeal of the cocktail.
The primary difference between these two cocktails is the type of whiskey used. A Manhattan cocktail uses American rye whiskey while a Rob Roy uses Scotch whisky.
While it's possible to make a Rob Roy without bitters, it is not recommended. Bitters help to balance the sweetness of the vermouth and enhance the flavor of the cocktail.
While any Scotch whisky can be used to make a Rob Roy, whiskies with a smoky flavor profile tend to work best. This is because they complement the sweet and bitter ingredients in the cocktail.
You can enjoy a Rob Roy cocktail on any occasion. However, its warming and full-bodied flavors make it a perfect sipping cocktail for colder months.
The Old Fashioned has a rich, complex taste that is both sweet and bitter. The whiskey provides a strong, warming base, while the sugar and bitters add a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice. The orange and cherry garnish add a subtle fruity note.
The Manhattan cocktail is a well-balanced blend of sweet, bitter, and strong flavors. The sweetness comes from the vermouth, while the bitterness is derived from the aromatic bitters. The whiskey provides a robust and full-bodied taste, making the drink a perfect choice for those who enjoy a strong and complex cocktail.
The Whiskey Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a tangy, sour taste from the lemon juice, a subtle sweetness from the simple syrup, and a rich, warming sensation from the whiskey. The egg white adds a smooth, creamy texture.
The Red Hook cocktail is a well-balanced mix of sweet, bitter, and strong flavors. It has a rich, velvety texture with a hint of spice from the rye whiskey, and a pleasant bitterness from the Punt e Mes and maraschino liqueur.
The Coffee Manhattan is a robust and full-bodied cocktail. It's strong and slightly bitter from the coffee-infused bourbon, with a sweet undertone from the vermouth. The bitters add a complex layer of flavor, and the cherry garnish provides a hint of sweetness to balance out the drink.
The Aperol Manhattan is a harmonious blend of sweet and bitter, with the Aperol providing a unique orange and rhubarb flavor that complements the robustness of the whiskey. The sweet vermouth balances the bitterness, while the bitters add depth. Overall, it's a complex, medium-strong cocktail with a smooth finish.
The Mojito is a refreshing, sweet, and slightly sour cocktail with a hint of mint and a subtle rum kick. It is a well-balanced drink that is both invigorating and easy to sip.
The Martini has a crisp, clean, and slightly herbal taste. It is a strong and sophisticated cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth.
The Daiquiri is a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of citrus. It has a light and crisp taste, making it perfect for warm weather or as an aperitif.
The Blood and Sand cocktail has a well-balanced, rich, and complex flavor profile. It is both sweet and sour, with a hint of smokiness from the Scotch whisky. The orange juice adds a refreshing citrus note, while the sweet vermouth and cherry liqueur provide a smooth, velvety sweetness.
The Godfather cocktail has a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet taste with a hint of nuttiness from the amaretto. It is a strong and warming drink, perfect for sipping slowly.
The Scotch Sour has a complex and well-balanced taste, featuring the smoky and peaty flavors of Scotch whisky, the tartness of lemon juice, and the sweetness of simple syrup. It is a sour, slightly sweet, and robust cocktail with a smooth and velvety texture.
The Americano has a complex and bittersweet taste, with herbal and citrus notes. It is refreshing, slightly bitter, and mildly sweet, making it a perfect balance of flavors.
The Vieux Carré is a complex and well-balanced cocktail with a smooth, rich taste. It has a hint of sweetness from the cognac and herbal notes from the Bénédictine. The rye whiskey adds a spicy kick, while the vermouth and bitters provide a slightly bitter undertone.
The Artillery cocktail has a bold, robust flavor profile with a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. It is strong, slightly sweet, and herbal with a hint of citrus.
Planter's Punch is a fruity, refreshing, and well-balanced cocktail. It has a sweet and tangy taste, with a hint of sourness from the citrus. The rum adds a warming, slightly spicy kick, while the grenadine provides a touch of sweetness.
The Singapore Sling has a complex, fruity taste with a balance of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. It is refreshing, tangy, and slightly effervescent, with a hint of herbal undertones.
The Brandy Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a smooth, velvety texture. It has a pleasant sweetness, followed by a refreshing sourness from the lemon juice, and a subtle warmth from the brandy. The drink is neither too strong nor too light, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
The Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail with a bright, citrusy flavor. It is both sweet and sour, with the tanginess of lime juice complementing the sweetness of the orange liqueur. The tequila adds a strong, earthy backbone, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste and adds a savory touch.
The Piña Colada is a sweet, creamy, and fruity cocktail with a smooth texture. The flavors of pineapple and coconut blend harmoniously, creating a tropical taste sensation. The rum adds a subtle warmth and depth to the drink.
The Mint Julep has a refreshing, sweet, and slightly minty taste. It is a well-balanced cocktail with a strong bourbon backbone and a cooling, herbal finish.
