The Ultimate Guide To Drambuie + Coffee Cocktails

Credit: William Grant & Sons
In a world of various scotch whiskies, both blended and single malt , whisky liqueurs can often be overlooked. However, scotch whisky liqueur Drambuie is considered an essential ingredient in the Rusty Nail cocktail, and has a whole host of other delicious applications.
With a history dating back to the 18th century and links to Bonnie Prince Charlie, Drambuie also has a fascinating history. So, with fall on the horizon and the weather beginning to cool, I thought I would take a look at the history and taste of Drambuie, as well as share recipes for some delicious Drambuie and coffee cocktails. What Is Drambuie?
Drambuie is a scotch whisky liqueur that is hails from the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides. It is made from a blend of scotch whisky, heather honey, and aromatic herbs and spices. Today, it is produced in Glasgow.
It is said that the name ‘Drambuie’ derives from the Scots Gaelic phrase ‘An Dram Buidheach’. Translated to English, this means ‘the drink that satisfies’.
Now owned by William Grant & Sons , Drambuie reportedly sells around 250,000 cases per year, according to The Guardian . The liqueur is a fixture on UK supermarket shelves and has recently garnered a large following in the US and Canada. The History of Drambuie
Drambuie has a long and quite unbelievable history.
It all began in 1745 when Bonnie Prince Charlie – the grandson of the deposed Catholic King James II and VII of England and Scotland – landed in Scotland in an attempt to reclaim his father’s throne as acting Prince Regent. He had been living in Rome as a member of the exiled Stuart court.
James II was deposed during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and replaced by his daughter, Mary, and her Dutch Protestant husband, William of Orange. James’s son, also called James, became heir to the throne (at least in name), and was supported by a group of Catholics in the United Kingdom called Jacobites.
Following his defeat by the Duke of Cumberland at The Battle of Culloden in 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie fled across Scotland, never staying in one place too long. In July of 1746, he was aided in escaping to the Isle of Skye. Captain John MacKinnon, of the MacKinnon Clan, shielded Charlie whilst he was on Skye. Bonnie Prince Charlie attempted to reclaim the throne for House Stuart in the 18th century.
In thanks to MacKinnon for his hospitality and loyalty, Charlie bestowed on him the recipe for his personal elixir, containing honey, herbs, and spices. It is thought that the elixir was intended to be mixed with brandy. However, in Scotland, it was mixed with scotch whisky instead.
The recipe for this elixir was subsequently passed down through the MacKinnon’s for over 150 years. It was first produced and sold commercially in 1893, with The Drambuie Liqueur Company Limited being established in 1908. Today, the brand is owned by William Grant & Sons, who reported paid over £100 million.
Of course, the origins of the Drambuie recipe are debated. Some say that it was Charlie’s bodyguard that gave the recipe to the MacKinnons. Others say that it was his doctor or a French soldier. Regardless, all roads seemingly lead back to Bonnie Prince Charlie. What Does Drambuie Taste Like?
According to a recent brand press release, ‘Drambuie has a complex, sweet and spicy flavor and a rich, silky mouthfeel that leaves a sweet lingering finish.’
The whisky liqueur is characterized by notes of honey, aromatic herbs, subtle floral notes, and gentle spices.
The Drambuie website encourages drinkers to enjoy the whisky liqueur in crafted cocktails , noting that the sweet spirit cuts through the bitterness of coffee very well. As such, there are a host of Drambuie x coffee cocktails that you can make at home. Drambuie & Coffee Cocktails, Perfect For Fall (Left to right) Espresso Martini, Isle of Skye Speciality Coffee, and the Paloma. Credit: William Grant & Sons
One such cocktail is the Drambuie Espresso Martini. It is super easy to make, and is a sweet and welcome twist to the classic cocktail.
Ingredients: ½ part Drambuie
½ part Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky
1 part Espresso or cold brew coffee
1 tsp vanilla syrup (optional)
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini-style glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.
To ward off the cooling temperatures, Drambuie Ambassador Freddy May recommends enjoying an Isle of Skye Speciality Coffee.
Ingredients: ½ part Drambuie
2 parts hot strong coffee
1 tsp brown sugar
Cold heavy whipping cream
Method: Dissolve the sugar into hot coffee with a measure of Drambuie, Lightly whip the cold cream and float on top, if necessary using the back of a spoon. Garnish with chocolate or nutmeg powder.
For a bit of a fruity twist, try the Drambuie Coffee Paloma, also by Freddy May.
Ingredients: 1 part Drambuie
1 part Tequila
1 part Coffee
1 part Grapefruit juice
Method: Pour all the ingredients over ice in a rocks glass or slim highball and stir. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
And finally, if you’re like me and you can’t get enough of iced coffee, even in the fall, try a Drambuie Iced Coffee.
Ingredients: 1 part Drambuie
1 part Espresso or strong coffee
1 part milk of choice (oat milk is recommended)
Method: Pour over ice in a tall glass and stir to mix The Rusty Nail Cocktail Next week Phil Dwyer will be giving his recommendations on the best scotch whiskies to use in a Rusty Nail.
Drambuie is also one of the essential ingredients in The Rusty Nail cocktail.
The Rusty Nail is a simple concoction made from 2oz of whisky and 1oz of Drambuie complete with a lemon twist garnish poured over ice.
Popularized in 1950s New York and enjoyed by big names such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, The Rusty Nail is now a classic cocktail enjoyed by whisky lovers.
You can also play around with the amount of Drambuie in your Rusty Nail. If you like it sweeter with more herbal notes, add more Drambuie. Or you can reduce the percentage of Drambuie to get more of the whisky’s flavor profile.
Our very own Phil Dwyer is currently working on a guide to the best scotch whiskies to enjoy with Drambuie in a Rusty Nail. Keep an eye on Phil’s author page to find out which scotch/Drambuie combo will suit your tastes the best. Where Can You Buy Drambuie?
Drambuie is widely available in the UK, the US, and Canada.
On Wine-searcher, the current lowest price is $19.99 for the US market . In the UK, Drambuie can be purchased from most supermarkets such as Tesco for £20 .
You can also buy the liqueur via retailers such as The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, and Amazon.