The Rusty Nail recipe
for your table
Place one large ice cube in an old fashioned glass.
Pour the whisky and then the Drambuie over the ice.
Stir gently with a bar spoon for 20 seconds; Drambuie is syrupy and needs a little time.
Squeeze a lemon zest over the glass and place it in the drink.
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The story
The combination of whisky and Drambuie dates back to the 1930s, but the name Rusty Nail only became established in the 1960s, and then things moved quickly. Frank Sinatra and his crowd drank it in Las Vegas, which was enough to put the cocktail on the map worldwide. Drambuie itself has an older history: according to tradition, the recipe goes back to a liqueur that Prince Charles Edward Stuart gave to a Scottish family in 1746. Whether that is true matters little; what counts is that the honey and herbs in the liqueur complement exactly what whisky already does.
The right glass
An Old Fashioned glass from 30 to 43 cl, wide enough for one large ice cube, which matters more with this cocktail than with most. There is no mixer, so everything that melts directly detracts from the flavour. A wide glass also gives the whisky and spicy Drambuie aromas room; in a narrow glass, you miss half of them. Choose a heavy model with a thick base: this is a cocktail you will hold in your hand for half an hour.
RCR Adagio Tumbler 35 cl (6 pieces)
Stölzle Lausitz Kyoto Tumbler 43 cl (6 pieces)
Together € 64,90.
The right tools
For a Rusty Nail, in addition to the glass, you use a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for precise measuring, a zester for the twist and large ice cubes. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glassware set (our choice 01) + 4 bar tools together € 91,75.
What do you make a Rusty Nail with?
For a Rusty Nail, you need the right base. Well-known bottles include Johnnie Walker and Drambuie. On each drink page, you can read the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it works in and which glass you need.
Variations & twists
Replace the whisky with Irish whiskey and it's called a Donald Sutherland; with bourbon, you get a sweeter version. A dash of Angostura bitters brings it closer to an Old Fashioned. Top it up with soda water to make a Rusty Nail Highball, lighter and very suitable for a warm evening. A smoky Islay whisky makes it much more exciting. Find more inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
The classic ratio was once 1 to 1, but to modern tastes that's far too sweet. Start with 2 parts whisky to 1 part Drambuie and, if necessary, go to 3 to 1. Really stir it well. Drambuie is syrupy and otherwise remains as a sweet layer on the bottom, making your first sips taste like whisky and your last like honey.
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for a Rusty Nail?
An Old Fashioned glass holding 30 to 43 cl. View our Old Fashioned glasses.
What exactly is Drambuie?
A Scottish liqueur based on whisky, with honey, herbs, and spices. Around 40 percent alcohol and quite sweet, which is why you use less of it than whisky.
What is the right ratio?
These days, 2 to 1 in favor of the whisky. Older recipes call for 1 to 1, but most people find that too sweet nowadays.
Can you replace Drambuie?
Not really, it's half of the recipe. With whisky, honey syrup, and a pinch of cloves and fennel, you'll get close, but it remains an approximation.
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