Highland Fling Cocktail
The Highland Fling Cocktail is a very strong whiskey spirit-forward cocktail, sweet and herbal on the palate. Stirred and served in a cocktail glass.
Flavor profile
- Sweet
- 77 out of 100
- Bitter
- 57 out of 100
- Herbal
- 61 out of 100
- Smoky
- 44 out of 100
- Boozy
- 89 out of 100
How to make a Highland Fling Cocktail
To make a Highland Fling Cocktail, stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: 1½ oz scotch, ¾ oz sweet vermouth and 2 dashes Orange bitters. Garnish with olive.
You'll need
- Scotch1½ oz
- Sweet Vermouth¾ oz
- Orange bitters2 dashes
- Olivegarnish
Instructions
- 1
Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Pour Scotch, sweet vermouth and orange bitters into a mixing glass (any sturdy glass works).
- 3
Fill it with ice.
- 4
Stir for 20-30 seconds, until the outside is cold to the touch.
- 5
Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.
- 6
Garnish with an olive.
Why stir? Scotch, sweet vermouth and orange bitters are clear, so a gentle stir over ice chills and dilutes them without clouding the drink.
Highland Fling Cocktail questions
What does a Highland Fling Cocktail taste like?
Mostly sweet and herbal, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a very strong drink at about 27% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a Highland Fling Cocktail?
About 27% ABV after mixing with ice, close to a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Highland Fling Cocktail and an Affinity?
Both use scotch, sweet vermouth and Orange bitters. The Affinity uses dry vermouth. The Highland Fling Cocktail is the stronger of the two.
Should a Highland Fling Cocktail be shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Scotch and sweet vermouth are clear, so stirring chills it while keeping it silky; shaking would cloud it with tiny bubbles.
What glass do you serve a Highland Fling Cocktail in?
A cocktail glass.