Rob Roy
A bitter and dry whiskey cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 26.4% ABV ∙
The Rob Roy is a stirred, spirit-forward cocktail of Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters — a Scotch-based cousin of the Manhattan.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Blended Scotch whisky 60 mlRosso vermouth 30 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 8 dashes
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and discard
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Tips
- Stay with a blended Scotch here; a peated single malt would bury the vermouth and bitters.
History
The Rob Roy was created in 1894 by a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, New York City, to mark the New York premiere of Rob Roy, an operetta by Reginald De Koven and Harry B. Smith based on the Scottish folk hero of the same name popularized by Walter Scott's novel. Some accounts name the Waldorf's bartender as Charles McPherson or Charlie Paul, though this credit varies by source. The drink is essentially a Manhattan made with Scotch whisky in place of the rye traditionally used in that cocktail, a swap intended as a nod to Rob Roy MacGregor's Scottish origins.
An unrelated earlier drink also called "Rob Roy" was recorded in the New York Sun in 1873, though its base spirit went unrecorded and it is generally treated as a coincidental namesake rather than a true forerunner.
FAQ
What is a Rob Roy made of?
Scotch whisky, sweet (rosso) vermouth, and aromatic bitters: 60 ml of blended Scotch, 30 ml of vermouth, and eight dashes of Angostura.
What's the difference between a Manhattan and a Rob Roy?
The base spirit. A Rob Roy uses Scotch whisky where a Manhattan uses rye or bourbon, so it tastes maltier; the sweet vermouth and bitters are the same.
What is a perfect Rob Roy?
A perfect Rob Roy replaces the sweet vermouth with equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, so it is drier and less sweet than the standard version. It is stirred and strained the same way.
What whiskey is best for a Rob Roy?
A blended Scotch whisky, whose smoothness lets the vermouth and bitters come through without being masked.
