A Rob Roy. Photo by Donna Turner Ruhlman
Owing to a misspent youth and for reasons I'd rather not get into, I have no taste whatever for blended Scotch whiskeys. Thus the dearth of Scotch-based cocktails during the Friday Cocktail Hour. But there are some fine Scotch-based elixirs that deserve attention, such as the classic Rob Roy, inspired by a 19th-century Broadway show. This was a tradition back then, naming drinks after shows—a tradition worth reviving, I think. How about it, mixers out there? Give me a Kinky Boots! Or go downtown with a Designated Mourner. Or my fave theater experience of the year, also at the Public Theater, Here Lies Love. I'd love to hear that uttered at a bar.
"What'll it be, pal?"
"Here Lies Love."
"Comin' right up."
Herewith, a true classic, served in classic proportions. I am forced by my own history to use a splendid single malt (best enjoyed neat with a splash of cool water, if anything) for this excellent cocktail. That said, I was surprised and impressed by the complexity of a cocktail made with an excellent single malt. I'd say it's worth it.
This cocktail is of course a variation on the theme of sweet vermouth and bitters; change the Scotch to rye or bourbon and it is called a Manhattan. Use bitters to taste. Angostura is the default here, but I love Hella citrus.
The Rob Roy
- 2 ounces Scotch
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Bitters to taste
- Lemon twist
- Combine the liquids in a shaker with ice, swirl till cold, then pour into a martini glass. Alternatively, mix the liquids in a lowball and add ice. Finish with the lemon twist.
- My cocktail posts on the Boulevardier, the Mint Julep, and the Southside.
- The NYTimes weighed in on what an old-fashioned is, giving two old-fashioned recipes, and a third that needs it's own name.
- Learn about the regions of Scotch in Scotland.
- Here are five essential Scotch cocktails from the Serious Eats.
- When in Cleveland, don't forget to visit the Best Bar in the World: the Velvet Tango Room.
© 2013 Michael Ruhlman. Photo © 2013 Donna Turner Ruhlman. All rights reserved.
The Rob Roy is indeed a fine cocktail. However, naming a cocktail after shows could be problematic. Would you be willing to step up to a bar and say "Give me a Wiz?"
HA!
Years ago, my sister gave me a birthday card with an audio clip of a Bart Simpson prank call to Moe's Bar, with Moe answering, "Moe's Bar, birthplace of the Rob Roy."
Make that Moe's Tavern.
Cough, cough.
Blended Scotch whiskIEs. Everybody else makes whiskey. In Scotland, we make whisky.
Here endeth the lesson. Drink up!
thx copy editor!
I always thought they were like a Shirley Temple, until I had one a few years ago made with Laphroaig.
Smokey Islay, like Laphroaig make a nice Rob Roy in a champagne glass.
Great choice.
Saaaaaamooooooookin!
laphroaig is my fave of all single malts. i'm a cretin through and through
The boy's version of the Shirley Temple is called a Roy Rogers, so the confusion is understandable.
I think this is a wonderful tradition to revive,
But the question is what is in a Book of Mormon?
I actually thought of posing that but it's too problematic. given the nature of the show and some events therein, I'd say it would have to be an AssJuice variant.
I like to order a Stella Artois beers like Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire. My wife does too.
Stella!
Punt e Mes for sweet vermouth, and not 2:1, just scare it with a splash. Boo.
A Rob Roy at the VTR sounds great!
anything at the VTR sounds great.
I might not be ordering a Urinetown in the near future.
Thanks a lot for sharing! it looks amazing
There's almost nothing I despise more than Broadway musicals and almost nothing I love more than whisky cocktails. I'm a fan of the rusty nail, which I ordered recently in a bar. The bartender asked if I wanted it with Carpano Antica instead of Drambuie, so I agreed. It was very tasty, but I didn't realize until now that I was drinking a Rob Roy instead of a rusty nail.