Bobby Burns

Though not nearly as renowned as drinks like the Manhattan, Sidecar or Martini, the Bobby Burns is a classic cocktail dating back to the early part of the 20th century. Similar to the Rusty Nail or Blood & Sand, it has the rare quality of being made with blended Scotch whisky rather than bourbon, rye or another spirit all together.

Like many storied cocktails, the origins of the Bobby Burns are a bit fuzzy. The first available source for it dates back to 1902’s bar book “Bishop & Babcock Company’s Fancy Drinks,” though in it it’s referred to as the Baby Burns, and calls for one teaspoon each of vermouth and Bénédictine, as well as a pony (generally considered one ounce) of scotch. Later, in texts like “Recipes for Mixed Drinks” in 1917 and 1930’s seminal “Savoy Cocktail Book” from Harry Craddock, it was changed to the Bobby Burns; while there is always going to be some debate as to the meaning of the name, mostly likely it’s an homage to the famed Robert Burns, widely considered the national poet of Scotland.

The cocktail itself is similar to a Rob Roy (named for another famous Scot), the scotch-based Manhattan variation. However, this drink (usually) sees equal parts scotch and sweet vermouth, rather than two-to-one proportions, and substitutes the traditional dashes of bitters for a half ounce of Bénédictine. This herbal liqueur, like Green Chartreuse, is made with a proprietary recipe known only by a handful of people. What is known is that there are 27 herbs and spices in its blend, and it’s an essential part of the Bobby Burns.

While single malt scotches tend to get the most amount of attention, blended scotches are more commonly used in mixed drinks. And though earlier recipes didn’t specify, modern takes on the Bobby Burns tend to follow this style as well. There are plenty of quality blended Scotch whiskies on the market, from the more famous labels like Johnny Walker, Chivas Regal and Famous Grout to lesser known and newer expressions. Whatever bottle you use, it’s advised to go with a 12-year-old, which lends more smoothness, richness and complexity to the drink.

Similarly, the choice of sweet vermouth is up to the maker, but it’s recommended to go with something on the dryer, more botanical side like Noilly Prat or Punt E Mes. A bit of lemon zest, its oils expressed over the surface of the drink, finishes the Bobby Burns, and the drink is best served with a few Scottish shortbread biscuits and a collection of the poet’s works.

Classics You Should Know: The Rusty Nail

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