Scotch Whisky Cocktails & Mixology Flashcards

Which Scotch-based cocktail is made with Scotch whisky, honey liqueur, and lemon juice?

Answer: Penicillin

The Penicillin cocktail, created by Sam Ross, combines blended Scotch, lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, and a float of peaty Islay single malt.

In a Rob Roy cocktail, what is the ratio of Scotch to sweet vermouth in the classic recipe?

Answer: 2:1

The classic Rob Roy uses a 2:1 ratio of Scotch whisky to sweet vermouth, mirroring the Manhattan's proportions but substituting Scotch for bourbon.

What garnish is traditionally used in a Blood and Sand cocktail?

Answer: Maraschino cherry

A maraschino cherry is the traditional garnish for the Blood and Sand, a cocktail made with equal parts Scotch, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth, and orange juice.

Which modifier is used in an Affinity cocktail alongside Scotch whisky?

Answer: Both dry and sweet vermouth

The Affinity cocktail uses equal parts Scotch, dry vermouth, and sweet vermouth, making it a perfect-style stirred cocktail similar to the Perfect Rob Roy.

When building a Scotch Mist, what glassware and preparation technique is used?

Answer: Old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice

A Scotch Mist is simply Scotch poured over a glass packed with crushed ice, typically served in an old fashioned glass with a lemon twist.

What is the primary flavor profile a bartender seeks when selecting an Islay Scotch for a smoky cocktail float?

Answer: Phenolic peat and brine

Islay malts are chosen for cocktail floats specifically for their high phenolic (peat smoke) content and saline maritime notes, which contrast with sweeter base layers.

Which historical cocktail era popularized Scotch whisky cocktails in American bars before Prohibition?

Answer: The Golden Age (1880s–1900s)

The Golden Age of cocktails from the 1880s to early 1900s saw Scotch widely used in American bars, with recipes like the Rob Roy and Affinity appearing in major cocktail books of the period.