Uploaded September 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This simple Scotch cocktail is made with The Black Grouse (Peaty Blended Scotch Whisky), St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Soda Water and a Lemon Twist. It is as easy to make as it is to drink. It's the improved, Whisky version of a Black Russian, which is a White Russian (youtu.be/FsBmI5v5xbs) without the cream.
The name of the drink is an allusion to the Scottish tartan. (The one the picture is close, but not the same.) It's probably just there to evoke some Scottish imagery and get you in the mood for a Scotch cocktail.
Like most Scotch cocktails, this one is usually made with a blended Scotch (a blend of single malts with grain alcohol added), but this one benefits from a Scotch with an emphasis on the smoky flavors. The Black Grouse is the best of both world's. It is smokier than your average blend. It's also pretty affordable.
The Coffee Liqueur you use will have a big impact on the drink, so choose wisely. My favorite, by far is the NOLA Coffee Liqueur from St. George Spirits. It is not as well known as Kahlua and not a widely available, but it's definitely worth hunting down this bottle.
The soda water is optional. The drink is not really fizzy. The soda water just gives the drink a little dilution, which will help if the flavors are too strong for you.
The lemon twist is important. It transforms the drink and brightens it up in unexpected ways. The deep heavy flavors of Scotch and coffee get a livened up with the lemon oils. It's like adding a lemon twist to an Italian espresso. Try it both ways. I think you'll agree. Besides, this one is easy to drink so, I'm sure you'll figure out to do with the second cocktail. Slàinte mhath!
Recipe:
1.5 oz Scotch Whisky
0.75 oz Coffee Liqueur
top Soda (optional)
garnish Lemon Twist
Build in chilled rocks glass over large ice. Add Scotch and Coffee Liqueur. Top with soda (optional). Garnish with Lemon Twist.
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facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
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Featured in This Episode:
The Black Grouse
thefamousgrouse.com/our-whiskies/black-grouse
St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur
stgeorgespirits.com/spirit/nola-coffee-liqueur
Neat Ice Kit (Clear Ice Cube Mold)
amzn.to/1Mri9Rs
Soda Siphon
amzn.to/1EqLiE9
Other Soda Water:
Fever Tree Club Soda
amzn.to/1Mriljt
Q Club
amzn.to/1KkR50a
Other Scotch Whiskys:
Johnnie Walker Green Label
johnniewalker.com/en-us/scotch-whisky-blends/home
Haig Pinch Scotch Whisky
haigwhisky.com/haig-pinch-scotch-whisky
The Famous Grouse
thefamousgrouse.com/our-whiskies/famous-grouse
Laphroaig 10 Year
laphroaig.com/whiskies/10yo.aspx
Bar Tools:
Nick & Nora Glass
amzn.to/1NdX7Tn
OXO Graduated Double Jigger
amzn.to/1EP3Cp8
Vegetable Peeler
amzn.to/1AA2s69
Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4
This simple Scotch cocktail is made with The Black Grouse (Peaty Blended Scotch Whisky), St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Soda Water and a Lemon Twist. It is as easy to make as it is to drink. It's the improved, Whisky version of a Black Russian, which is a White Russian (youtu.be/FsBmI5v5xbs) without the cream.
The name of the drink is an allusion to the Scottish tartan. (The one the picture is close, but not the same.) It's probably just there to evoke some Scottish imagery and get you in the mood for a Scotch cocktail.
Like most Scotch cocktails, this one is usually made with a blended Scotch (a blend of single malts with grain alcohol added), but this one benefits from a Scotch with an emphasis on the smoky flavors. The Black Grouse is the best of both world's. It is smokier than your average blend. It's also pretty affordable.
The Coffee Liqueur you use will have a big impact on the drink, so choose wisely. My favorite, by far is the NOLA Coffee Liqueur from St. George Spirits. It is not as well known as Kahlua and not a widely available, but it's definitely worth hunting down this bottle.
The soda water is optional. The drink is not really fizzy. The soda water just gives the drink a little dilution, which will help if the flavors are too strong for you.
The lemon twist is important. It transforms the drink and brightens it up in unexpected ways. The deep heavy flavors of Scotch and coffee get a livened up with the lemon oils. It's like adding a lemon twist to an Italian espresso. Try it both ways. I think you'll agree. Besides, this one is easy to drink so, I'm sure you'll figure out to do with the second cocktail. Slàinte mhath!
Recipe:
1.5 oz Scotch Whisky
0.75 oz Coffee Liqueur
top Soda (optional)
garnish Lemon Twist
Build in chilled rocks glass over large ice. Add Scotch and Coffee Liqueur. Top with soda (optional). Garnish with Lemon Twist.
Follow Us!
facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in This Episode:
The Black Grouse
thefamousgrouse.com/our-whiskies/black-grouse
St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur
stgeorgespirits.com/spirit/nola-coffee-liqueur
Neat Ice Kit (Clear Ice Cube Mold)
amzn.to/1Mri9Rs
Soda Siphon
amzn.to/1EqLiE9
Other Soda Water:
Fever Tree Club Soda
amzn.to/1Mriljt
Q Club
amzn.to/1KkR50a
Other Scotch Whiskys:
Johnnie Walker Green Label
johnniewalker.com/en-us/scotch-whisky-blends/home
Haig Pinch Scotch Whisky
haigwhisky.com/haig-pinch-scotch-whisky
The Famous Grouse
thefamousgrouse.com/our-whiskies/famous-grouse
Laphroaig 10 Year
laphroaig.com/whiskies/10yo.aspx
Bar Tools:
Nick & Nora Glass
amzn.to/1NdX7Tn
OXO Graduated Double Jigger
amzn.to/1EP3Cp8
Vegetable Peeler
amzn.to/1AA2s69
Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4
