Rob Roy Cocktail: Sweet, Smoky and Sophisticated
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Essentially a Manhattan that’s crafted with scotch instead of bourbon or rye, the Rob Roy is a classic cocktail that’s sweet, smoky and sophisticated. It’s also easy to craft at home with just a few ingredients.
It’s undeniable that the Manhattan and Rob Roy are similar. Both whiskey cocktails have NYC roots that date back to the 19th century, and their ingredients are eerily similar. However, the two cocktails diverge in the type of whiskey used. While the more popular Manhattan is crafted with bourbon or rye, the Rob Roy is a scotch cocktail.
Don’t be dazzled by the Manhattan’s greater popularity. The Rob Roy is a complex cocktail that’s ideal for sophisticated drinkers. The only way to find out which you prefer is to craft a Rob Roy and taste it for yourself.
What Is the Rob Roy Cocktail?
The Rob Roy is a pre-Prohibition cocktail that’s crafted with a 2:1 ratio of scotch and sweet vermouth plus a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters and a maraschino cherry garnish. It’s a flavor combination that’s both sophisticated and comforting.
Discover more pre-Prohibition cocktails.
History of the Rob Roy Cocktail
Named after an 18th-century outlaw who was referred to as the Scottish Robin Hood, the Rob Roy cocktail’s history began in 1894. That’s the year when a Waldorf Astoria bartender introduced the scotch cocktail. It’s also the year when the Rob Roy operetta debuted in New York City. The cocktail’s name was probably inspired by the operetta, but we’re not 100% sure since we weren’t there.
Fun Fact
Rob Roy’s full name was Robert Roy MacGregor. While he probably drank his fair share of scotch, the Scottish folk hero died 160 years before the Rob Roy cocktail was born.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to craft a Rob Roy cocktail at home:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Craft a Rob Roy Cocktail
Once you gather this recipe’s ingredients plus a few basic bar tools, the first step is to place a handful of ice cubes into a mixing glass.
Measure the scotch and sweet vermouth with a jigger. (We use a Japanese jigger to ensure accuracy and avoid spillage.) Immediately pour the two liquids into the mixing glass.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Add two dashes of Angostura bitters.
Stir with a bar spoon until the liquids are combined and chilled.
Strain the mixed liquors into a coupe or martini glass.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
While you can imbibe a Rob Roy anywhere at any time of the year, this is a cocktail that’s ideal to sip at home by the fire when the weather is cold outside. Doing so will warm you up from the inside out.
Variations
After you master the Rob Roy’s easy recipe, feel free to whet your whistle with one or more of the following variations:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Rob Roy Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces scotch (blended)
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 maraschino cherry (garnish)
- ice cubes (for stirring)
Instructions
- Drop a handful of ice cubes into a mixing glass.
- Pour scotch and sweet vermouth into the mixing glass and add two dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Stir until the liquids are combined and chilled – approximately 10 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Rob Roy cocktail is classic cocktail that’s crafted with scotch, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters. The 19th-century cocktail was named after Rob Roy MacGregor, an 18th-century Scottish outlaw and folk hero.
The Rob Roy cocktail was invented at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City.
Scotch, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, a Maraschino Cherry (garnish) and Ice Cubes for mixing
The Rob Roy cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
The Manhattan and Rob Roy are similar cocktails. The sole difference is that the Manhattan is crafted with either bourbon or rye while the Rob Roy is crafted with scotch.
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