Rusty Nail
The Rusty Nail is a very strong whiskey spirit-forward cocktail, sweet and smoky on the palate. Built and served in a rocks glass. It's one of the International Bartenders Association's official unforgettables cocktails.
- 2 min
- Rocks glass
- Built
Flavor profile
- Sweet
- 77 out of 100
- Herbal
- 36 out of 100
- Smoky
- 59 out of 100
- Boozy
- 100 out of 100
How to make a Rusty Nail
To make a Rusty Nail, build over ice in a rocks glass: 1½ oz scotch and ½ oz Drambuie. Garnish with lemon peel.
You'll need
Instructions
- 1
Fill a rocks glass with one large ice cube.
- 2
Pour in Scotch and Drambuie.
- 3
Stir briefly to mix.
- 4
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Why build it in the glass? Scotch and Drambuie only need a gentle stir, so there's no shaker to wash.
Rusty Nail questions
What does a Rusty Nail taste like, and is it sweet?
Yes, it's on the sweet side: it's mostly sweet and smoky, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a very strong drink at about 36% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in a Rusty Nail?
About 36% ABV after mixing with ice, close to a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Rusty Nail and a Loch Lomond?
Both use scotch and Drambuie. The Loch Lomond uses dry vermouth. The Rusty Nail is built in the glass and served in a rocks glass; the Loch Lomond is stirred and served in a cocktail glass. The Rusty Nail is the stronger of the two.
What glass do you serve a Rusty Nail in?
A rocks glass.