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Celebrate the best of Scotland with these 8 Scottish cocktail recipes

Scotland is home to some of the world’s best ingredients. From fresh, tangy raspberries to sweet, sticky honey. From winter barley to spring oats. And lest we forget our award-winning scotch whisky.

With all these delicious crops, foods and spirits to hand, there’s enough to make more than a few fragrant cocktail recipes. So if you’re inspired by Scotland’s flavours or want to celebrate the best of the country’s produce, you’re in the right place.

Here we share our favourite Scottish whisky cocktails, each made with the best of Scotland’s single malt whisky.

Full Scottish

Mix the best of Scottish whisky with the best of Scottish marmalade in this delicious fruity drink. This whisky marmalade cocktail recipe perfectly balances bitterness and sweetness mixing Scotland’s famous preserve with The Glenlivet 15 Year Old scotch

Our smooth single malt works wonderfully with the orange marmalade and a dash of port, adding a hint of candied peel and spice. Top yours with thin strips of orange zest just like those found in the marmalade.

the glenlivet 15 year old full scottish marmalade whisky cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old Whisky
50 ml
Lemon Juice
20 ml
White Port or Ruby Port
15 ml
Simple Syrup
5 ml
Orange Marmalade
15 ml

METHOD

  1. Place all ingredients (including the marmalade) in a cocktail shaker and shake hard.
  2. Strain into a whisky tumbler filled with cubed ice.
  3. Garnish with thin strips of orange zest similar to the ones found in marmalade.

Grain and Cane

Inspired by Scotland’s most famous dessert, this raspberry whisky cocktail is as delicious as it sounds. Cranachan is a traditional dish combining cream, oats and two main ingredients; Scottish raspberries and whisky, both of which are reflected in this recipe.

Fresh raspberries are shaken with The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, sugar syrup and lemon juice. A dash of balsamic vinegar also adds a touch of acidity, bringing out the slight sourness of the fruit. Serve with plenty of ice and a berry garnish.

Grain And Cane Cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Whisky
50 ml
Fresh Raspberries
5
Lemon Juice
15 ml
White Balsamic Vinegar
5 ml
Simple Syrup
15 ml

METHOD

  1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over crushed ice in a highball glass.
  2. Garnish with fresh raspberries and a grind of black pepper.

Valley of the Bees

The Scottish Highlands buzz and bloom in summer, the inspiration behind this next recipe. Along the purple heather moorlands, bees flit from flower to flower collecting nectar to turn into honey. The same bees can be found in our barley fields where they pollinate the plants that contribute to The Glenlivet whisky.

This scotch and honey cocktail celebrates our Scottish bees, honouring their vital work through the combination of heather, honey and our 15 Year Old whisky.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
50 ml
Heather Honey Syrup
7.5 ml
Aromatic Bitters
1 dash(es)
Lemon
Orange
Heather Flowers (for the Syrup)
20 g
Heather Honey (for the Syrup)
300 ml

METHOD

  1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled.
  2. Strain over a large ice ball into a glass.
  3. Twist the oils of lemon and orange peel to finish.

Scotch Old Fashioned

The traditional Old Fashioned cocktail is said to be made with bourbon. However, since its creation in the 17th century, the recipe has been tweaked and changed across the world to celebrate various spirits. 

Here in Scotland we use the finest Scottish whisky made with the highest quality ingredients. Our Scotch Old Fashioned celebrates The Glenlivet 18 Year Old single malt, a balanced, rich bottle with a toffee nose and winter spice finish. Stir with a perfect bitters blend for the ultimate serve.

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Ultimate Old Fashioned Whisky Cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
50 ml
Unrefined Cane Sugar
5 g
Perfect Bitters Blend
2 dashes

METHOD

  1. Add the unrefined caster sugar into the glass and add a little whisky and ice.
  2. Stir slowly to dissolve the sugar for about half a minute, add a little more whisky and the bitters and continue to stir for another minute.
  3. Add the remaining whisky and stir, taste for balance and adjust if necessary.
  4. Garnish with a large orange twist expressed over the surface of the drink.

Marmalade Sour

Whisky and marmalade come together again in this sticky, sour twist on a classic Whisky Sour. Sweetly sophisticated, the Marmalade Sour is a drink to make your own and show off those cocktail shaking skills.

Mix The Glenlivet 12 Year Old with your favourite preserve, fresh lemon and sugar before topping with the sour’s signature frothy foam.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
50 ml
Lemon Juice
25 ml
Sugar Syrup
10 ml
Marmalade
1 spoon
Egg White or Aquafaba
15 ml

METHOD

  1. Add all ingredients into a shaker, shake without ice.
  2. Add ice and shake a second time.
  3. Pour over ice, garnish and serve.

Rusty Nail

You can’t get more Scottish than a Rusty Nail. This classic cocktail combines Scotch whisky with another Scottish spirit, Drambuie, a golden liqueur made from Scotch, heather honey, herbs and spices.

The ratio is somewhat up to you. Go 1:1 or 2:1 with The Glenlivet 15 Year Old, poured and stirred with ice before being strained into a rocks glass.

Scotch on the Rocks

There’s no better way to enjoy the best of Scottish whisky than a Scotch on the Rocks. Served over ice, this classic drink is one of a whisky lover’s favourite ways to enjoy the flavours of their go-to bottle.

Simply pour, add ice and enjoy. We serve ours with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, a smooth, balanced single malt with a fruity finish. But feel free to try yours with any of our whisky range.

Scotch Toddy

Warm up on those cold Scottish nights with a Hot Toddy. This classic whisky cocktail has soothed sippers for centuries with its winning combination of scotch, lemon and honey. 

Warming the whisky elevates the many spicy notes that pair wonderfully with a squeeze of lemon and your favourite spices. Stir with a cinnamon stick, dust with cayenne or garnish with cloves; the choice is yours. Heat on the hob or top with hot apple cider for extra fruitiness.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
40 ml
Lemon Juice
15 ml
Honey
15 ml
Apple Cider
80 ml
Grated Cinnamon, Cayenne, and Lemon Wheel (for Garnish)

METHOD

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mug.
  2. Serve hot or chilled.
  3. Garnish with grated cinnamon, dusting of cayenne, lemon wheel.

Discover more ways to enjoy Scottish whisky with our collection of scotch cocktail recipes. From summer drinks to variations on a classic whisky sour, we’ve got a serve for every whisky drinker.