Drambuie
Scotch whisky, heather honey and spices in one golden liqueur. Everything about the flavor, the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Rusty Nail and the glass that goes with it.
The liqueur a prince left to Scotland
Drambuie is a Scottish liqueur based on aged Scotch whisky, heather honey and a secret blend of herbs and spices, including saffron, nutmeg and cinnamon. The name comes from the Gaelic 'an dram buidheach', the drink that satisfies. According to legend, Bonnie Prince Charlie gave the recipe to the MacKinnon family on Skye in 1746, in thanks for their help during his escape after the Battle of Culloden.
The MacKinnons brought the liqueur to market in 1909 and kept the recipe in the family for more than a century. Since 2014, Drambuie has been part of William Grant & Sons, the house of Glenfiddich. At 40% alcohol, it is one of the stronger liqueurs and the basis of the Rusty Nail: the best-known Scottish cocktail.
In brief
Which Drambuie bottles are available?
Drambuie comes in one recipe, in three sizes. If you like the combination of whisky and sweetness, these are the alternatives to explore.
Drambuie
The standard bottle with the recognizable golden label. Sweet, spicy and warm, with the whisky clearly present.
Drambuie 1 liter
The large bottle for those who often make a Rusty Nail or Hot Toddy. Better value per glass.
Drambuie 50 cl
The small bottle for getting acquainted with it or giving as a gift. Same liqueur, more convenient size.
Jack Daniel's Honey
The American counterpart: Tennessee whiskey with honey liqueur. Sweeter, milder and without the spices.
One bottle of Drambuie and one bottle of blended Scotch: that's all you need for a Rusty Nail.
Honey, spices and the warmth of whisky
Heather honey & orange
Sweet honey and candied orange lead, followed by cloves, nutmeg and a hint of whisky.
Sweet, full-bodied and spicy
Syrupy and sweet, but not bland: the spices and 40% alcohol keep it balanced. Saffron and cinnamon in the background.
Long and warm
The whisky takes over in a long, warming finish with a slight bitterness from the spices.
Drambuie's flavor profile neat at room temperature. With ice, it becomes fresher and less sweet.
Three ways to drink Drambuie
Drambuie is sweet and strong at the same time. It is best enjoyed chilled or mixed with whisky; in winter, it is also delicious warm.
Rusty Nail
45 ml blended Scotch and 25 ml Drambuie, stirred with ice in a tumbler, with a lemon zest. The classic from the sixties, ready in a minute.
Go to the recipe →On the rocks
Pour 40 ml Drambuie over a large ice cube in a tumbler. The cold tames the sweetness and brings out the spices. Also delicious with a splash of soda.
Glass: tumbler →Hot Toddy
40 ml Drambuie, a lemon slice and hot water in a heatproof glass. The honey is already in the bottle, so no extra sugar is needed.
Go to the recipe →The best cocktails with Drambuie
Rusty Nail
Scotch and Drambuie over ice. Two Scottish ingredients, one of the simplest cocktails there is.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, lemon and Drambuie instead of whisky and honey. Sweeter, spicier and ready in one go.
Drambuie Sour
Replace the sugar syrup in a Whisky Sour with Drambuie: honey, lemon and whisky in balance.
Christmas cocktails
Warm and spicy cocktails for the festive season, with Drambuie at home in them.The right glass for Drambuie
A heavy tumbler for Rusty Nail and on the rocks, a liqueur glass for drinking neat and a heat-resistant glass for Hot Toddy. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Drambuie
Is your question not listed? View our cocktail recipes or contact us.
To the cocktail recipes →