Celebrate the best of Scotland with these 8 Scottish cocktail recipes

When you think of Scotland and drinks, there are a few things that might spring to mind. A distinctive orange and blue can of Irn-Bru for example, or a drop of Drambuie liqueur. Although we hope our award-winning scotch whisky would make the list too considering scotch is the country’s national drink.

However, aside from beverages, Scotland is home to some of the world’s best ingredients. From fresh, tangy raspberries to sweet, sticky honey and winter barley to spring oats.

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.

Raspberry Cranachan

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.

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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.

Valley of the Bees

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

To make, combine 50ml The Glenlivet 15 Year Old Whisky, 20ml lemon juice, 15ml White Port (or Ruby Port) and 5ml of simple syrup with 15ml of orange marmalade into a cocktail shaker and shake hard. Strain into a whisky tumbler filled with cubed ice and garnish with thin strips of orange zest similar to the ones found in marmalade.

Learn more about Scotland’s food and drink, or 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.