WhiskeyMediumOld-fashioned glass

Cocktail guide

Rusty Nail

Name: Rusty Nail
Cuisine: Unforgettables
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz Scotch; 1/2 oz Drambuie; 1 twist of Lemon Peel

Rusty Nail combines Scotch, Drambuie, Lemon Peel in a ordinary drink served in a old-fashioned glass. It is a strong fit for cozy night in and feels right at home in a well-stocked cocktail rotation.

Taste profile

Strong, light, balanced, and smooth.

Best for

Best for cozy night in.

Quick tags

IBAClassic

Quick fact

A rusty nail is a cocktail made by mixing Scotch whisky with Drambuie in a ratio ranging from 1:1 to 2:1. It is typically served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass, though it can be served "up" in a stemmed glass. The cocktail's origin goes back to the 1937 British Industries Fair, but it gained widespread popularity in the 1950s after being endorsed by New York's 21 Club. Its prominence grew further a decade later when it became the go-to cocktail of the Rat Pack.

3.9 from 7 ratings

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Ingredients

Everything in the glass.

3 total

Scotchspirit - Alcoholic

1 1/2 oz

Drambuieingredient - Non-alcoholic

1/2 oz

Lemon Peelgarnish - Non-alcoholic

1 twist of

How to make it

Build it step by step.

3 steps

1Pour the Scotch and Drambuie into an old-fashioned glass almost filled with ice cubes.
2Stir well.
3Garnish with the lemon twist.

Method

Stirred

Finish

Usually finished with Lemon Peel.

Cozy Night In More Whiskey cocktails

Taste map

Strength

Strong

Sweetness

Light

Sourness

Balanced

Bitterness

Smooth

Read: Rusty Nail is a medium alcoholic cocktail for cozy night in with Scotch, Drambuie, Lemon Peel.

Texture and serve cues

✓Has citrus

-Has bubbles

-Creamy texture

-Frozen style

Best for

Best for cozy night in.

Glassware

Old-fashioned glass

More to know before you make it

A fuller read on the drink.

Flavor read

Expect a spirit-forward finish with support from Scotch, Drambuie, Lemon Peel.

Best pairing

Pairs nicely with richer plates, cheese boards, roasted nuts, or dessert.

Serving style

Serve in a old-fashioned glass and aim for a medium prep that still feels polished in the glass.

Where it fits

Rusty Nail is associated with the Unforgettables family of modern cocktail classics.

Background

Why this cocktail keeps showing up.

Source: Rusty nail (cocktail)

Reference cards

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Pour by bottle

Let the bottle call the direction and keep the list tight.

When the base spirit is already settled, these are the faster, cleaner entry points. Think of them as three distinct house styles instead of one crowded shelf.