Calories:163
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:8g
Alcohol:20%
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 Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that dates back to the 1930s. It gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and it's a favorite among whiskey lovers. The drink is a simple combination of Scotch whisky and Drambuie, a liqueur made from Scotch whisky, honey, herbs, and spices.
The Rusty Nail is a smooth, sweet, and slightly spicy cocktail with a strong, warming whiskey backbone. The honey and herbal notes from the Drambuie complement the smoky, peaty flavors of the Scotch.
Scotch is the backbone of the Rusty Nail, providing a smoky, peaty base that contrasts with the sweetness of Drambuie. The 1.5 oz portion is generous enough to assert itself without overpowering. Miss out on Scotch and you'll have no 'Nail' to get rusty!
This honeyed liqueur with hints of herbs and spices is what sweetens and complexifies the mix, making the 0.75 oz a perfect 'sweet-spot' to mingle without turning the drink cloy. Skip it, and you've only got Scotch — not a Rusty Nail!
Without ice, our Rusty Nail would be a bit like sunbathing in Siberia – doable, but hardly pleasant! Ice chills the drink and dilutes the spirits just enough to smooth the edges.
It adds a zesty, aromatic finish that plays against the sweet and smoky notes. Forgo the lemon and you'll lose that citrusy highlight that brightens the Rusty Nail's dark allure.
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Replace Scotch with Bourbon, which brings a sweeter, more vanilla-forward profile. Keep the Drambuie for that herbal kick.
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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You can use any kind of ice that you prefer, but large cubes are often used in whiskey-based cocktails like the Rusty Nail to slow dilution and keep the drink strong.
While traditionally served in a rocks glass, the Rusty Nail can be served in any type of glass according to your preference. However, using different types of glasses may alter the taste and presentation of the cocktail.
Yes, the Rusty Nail is a strong cocktail due to its high whisky content. The Drambuie also contains whisky, making it quite potent. However, the sweetness from the Drambuie helps to soften the blow.
You should avoid drinking a Rusty Nail if you're allergic to honey, since Drambuie, one of its main ingredients, contains honey.
Besides the Rusty Nail, Drambuie can be used to make other cocktails like the Rob Roy or the Bumblebee. It can also be served on its own, either neat or on the rocks.
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 French 75 has a bright, effervescent taste with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. The combination of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup creates a tangy, refreshing base, while the champagne adds a luxurious, bubbly finish.
The Sidecar is a delightful mix of sour, sweet, and strong flavors. The combination of cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice creates a smooth and refreshing taste, with a hint of warmth from the cognac.
The Sazerac is a complex, strong, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of bitterness. The combination of rye whiskey, absinthe, and Peychaud's bitters creates a unique, herbal flavor profile with a smooth, velvety finish.
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 French Connection has a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet taste with a hint of nuttiness from the Amaretto. The Cognac adds a depth of flavor and warmth, making it a perfect after-dinner drink.
The Limoncillo cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and slightly bitter flavors. The lemon juice provides a tangy and refreshing taste, while the Limoncello adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of bitterness. The overall flavor profile is light, zesty, and incredibly refreshing.
The Drambuie Sour has a delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors, with the herbal notes of Drambuie complementing the tartness of the lemon juice. The cocktail is smooth and refreshing, with a slight hint of warmth from the Scotch whisky base.
The Highland Fling cocktail is a bold, robust, and slightly sweet drink with a hint of citrus. The smoky and rich flavors of the Scotch whisky are balanced by the sweetness of the Drambuie and the tartness of the lemon juice, creating a complex and satisfying taste experience.
The Black Tartan is a rich and complex cocktail. It's bold with the smokiness of Scotch and the smooth sweetness of the coffee liqueur. The Irish whiskey adds a layer of warmth, while the Drambuie introduces a touch of honey and herbaceousness. Overall, it's a strong, slightly sweet, and smoky drink that lingers on the palate.
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 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.
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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 New York Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a combination of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. It has a rich, full-bodied taste with a smooth whiskey base, tangy lemon, and a hint of red wine.
The Whiskey Smash is a refreshing, slightly sweet, and citrusy cocktail. It has a strong whiskey flavor, balanced by the tartness of lemon and the cooling effect of fresh mint.
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