Food

Classic Rob Roy Cocktail Recipe

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Aug 1, 2024 • 1 min read

Created in the 1890s at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, the Rob Roy cocktail, also known as a Scotch Manhattan, is a simple recipe with a robust flavor. This cocktail recipe depends on which scotch whisky you use—different kinds of scotch may dictate which vermouth or bitters you use (some versions with the Scottish spirit don’t use bitters at all).

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2 Variations on the Rob Roy Cocktail

There are different ways to customize the Rob Roy drink recipe. Two common variations are:

  1. 1. Perfect Rob Roy: Use equal parts sweet and dry vermouth. Garnish with a lemon twist.
  2. 2. Dry Rob Roy: Replace the sweet vermouth with dry vermouth. Garnish with an olive.

Classic Rob Roy Recipe

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makes

1 cocktail

prep time

3 min

total time

3 min

Ingredients

  1. 1

    Prepare a chilled cocktail glass (like a martini glass).

  2. 2

    Pour your whiskey, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice cubes.

  3. 3

    Stir well.

  4. 4

    Strain your ingredients into the chilled glass.

  5. 5

    Garnish with a cherry and serve.

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