Rusty Nail
/
logo

Make Me A Cocktail

Rusty Nail
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.57 / 5
The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that beautifully marries the honeyed, herbal sweetness of Drambuie with the rich, robust flavors of whiskey. Drambuie itself is a liqueur made with ... more The Rusty Nail is a classic cocktail that beautifully marries the honeyed, herbal sweetness of Drambuie with the rich, robust flavors of whiskey. Drambuie itself is a liqueur made with Scotch whisky, heather honey, herbs, and spices, which complements the whiskey base to create a layered and complex drink. Typically served in a whiskey glass, the Rusty Nail is a simple yet sophisticated cocktail that has a warming and smooth taste profile. Its simplicity in preparation belies the depth of flavor it offers, making it a longstanding favorite among whiskey aficionados. Perfect for sipping slowly, this cocktail often evokes a feeling of old-world elegance and comfort.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

IBA Official Drink
Cocktail Of The Day
100 Cocktails To Try Before You Die
Invented
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1960)
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drambuie
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40% | 2.8 units *
Details
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classic
Stirred

Whisky glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Drambuie cocktail ingredient
Drambuie
25ml 0.85oz 2.5cl
Whiskey cocktail ingredient
Whiskey
45ml 1½oz 4.5cl

Cocktail Colin says:

5/5

The Rusty Nail is a testament to the elegance of simplicity, leveraging the harmonious interplay between Drambuie's honeyed sweetness and the deep, smoky notes of whiskey to create a drink that's both robust and refined. This cocktail's subtle herbal undertones from the Drambuie blend seamlessly with the whiskey, offering a warming, sophisticated sip that makes it a revered choice for those who appreciate the nuanced interplay of classic flavors.

Method
How to make a Rusty Nail

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Mix the ingredients directly in an old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes
Stir and serve

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Stir  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

INGREDIENT_SPECIFICS

What type of whiskey works best for a Rusty Nail?

A Rusty Nail can be made with various types of whiskey, but Scotch whisky, particularly a blended Scotch, is traditionally used for its smooth, smoky flavor that complements the sweetness of Drambuie. Some prefer using a single malt Scotch for a more distinct flavor profile.

CUSTOMIZATION_IDEAS

Can I adjust the sweetness of a Rusty Nail?

Yes, the sweetness of a Rusty Nail can be adjusted by varying the ratio of Drambuie to whiskey. For a less sweet drink, decrease the amount of Drambuie or increase the amount of whiskey. Conversely, for a sweeter drink, increase the Drambuie or decrease the whiskey.

FAQ

Is it necessary to use ice in a Rusty Nail?

While not strictly necessary, serving a Rusty Nail over ice is common and recommended. The ice dilutes the cocktail slightly as it melts, mellowing the flavors and making the drink more refreshing. However, some may prefer it neat, especially if using a high-quality whiskey.

ORIGINS_HISTORY

What is the history behind the name 'Rusty Nail'?

The origins of the name 'Rusty Nail' are a bit murky, but it's believed to have been popularized in the 1950s and 1960s. Some tales suggest the name comes from the practice of stirring the drink with a rusty nail, though this is more likely apocryphal than factual. It gained significant popularity among the cocktail elite of the time and has been associated with a classic, enduring appeal.

FAQ

Are there any popular variations of the Rusty Nail cocktail?

While the classic Rusty Nail sticks to Drambuie and whiskey, some variations include the addition of lemon peel for a citrusy twist, bitters for added complexity, or substituting part of the whiskey with another spirit for a different flavor profile. However, any significant alterations might lead to a different cocktail altogether, so it's all about personal preference.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A pesonalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now

You might also like

BFG

Winner of the UK Drambuie Cocktail Competition 2010, created by Adam Elmegirab's. In his cocktail the bitter used was one...

Passe-a-grille Punch

The Passe-a-grille Punch cocktail offers a tropical and sweet flavor experience, combining the smooth taste of vanilla vodka with the...

GDP

GDP – “Gross Domestic Product” is a way of measuring a country’s economy. The GDP cocktail is named after the...

Aberdeen Angus

Hot

The Aberdeen Angus cocktail is a classic drink that originated in the Scottish highlands. Its name is inspired by the...
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me A Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating