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Rock 'n' Rye

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (130)
Rock 'n' Rye image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 2⁄3 fl oz Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.)
1⁄2 fl oz Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄6 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄4 fl oz Maraschino (Marasca) syrup (from cherry jar)
1⁄4 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in an Urban Bar Fluet Double Old Fashioned 1910 44cl

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist and skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over cocktail and discard.
  2. Garnish with skewered cherry.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Rock 'n' Rye contains 159 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 21.63% alc./vol. (43.26° proof)
  • 19.7 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Rock & Rye is a generic term for a style of traditional American liqueur made with a rye whiskey base infused with fruit and sugar, often bottled with pieces of fruit in the bottle. This was inspired by the flavour of one of these liqueurs: Jacquin's Rock & Rye, produced by Charles Jacquin et Cie Inc., "America's Oldest Cordial Producer" until circa 2009.

Classically, a "Rock & Rye Cocktail" is mixed with rock & rye liqueur as an ingredient. For example, Stanley M. Jones' 1977 Jones' Complete Barguide includes a Rock & Rye Cocktail, a Rock & Rye Cooler, and a Rock & Rye Toddy, all made with rock & rye liqueur as an ingredient.

ROCK & RYE COCKTAIL.
Cocktail Glass
Stir
1 oz rock & rye
1 oz white port
½ oz dry vermouth

Stanley M. Jones, Jones' Complete Barguide, 1977

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Review

Great rye whiskey notes with hints of orange and cherry. Slightly sweet but all too easy to quaff.

Cocktail of the day:

18th September 2026 is A day to remember Jimi Hendrix

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$0.15 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 100 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Michael Cronin
Used a 100 proof rye. Next time will try with a 110 as in its current configuration it needs just a bit more backbone.
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
Made 4 iterations, starting with the above recipe (trashy casino cocktail - I love it, but not its diabetic stranglehold), then with the below suggestions, then my experimentations... My advice (small tweak): take the Luxardo syrup and cut it with Sangue Morlacco (or Cherry Heering) 2:1 former to the latter - sedative elation... This drink was made for Old Overholt 114, which I found sucked in every other recipe in which I tried it.
score: 1
Sean Williamson
Tried this and just couldn't get behind it. Used a 103 proof rye and felt the rye + fruit flavors didn't meld well.
score: 3
Deb H
Made as described, agree with Calvin that it's a great balance. Spirit-forward as you might expect from a rye cocktail, but the all the other elements shine through.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Made this again but used Cherry Heering in place of the in place of the Luxardo cherry juice. Substituted Luxardo cherry juice for the sugar syrup. Wanted a dryer cocktail or halved the amount of syrup. It was outstanding. Wonderful flavours and perfect as a nightcap.
score: 3
Chris Brislawn
J. Hinojos had a good idea with the cherry liqueur, but instead of replacing the cherry syrup I kept the Luxardo syrup and replaced the sugar syrup with 1/2 oz cherry liqueur. Also upped the lemon juice to 1/4 oz to counter the sweetness a bit. Very nice complement to the rye flavors.
score: 4
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Oh that was nice! Going in my favourites for such a unique cocktail. The rye really rocks. Perfect balance.
score: 1
Miguel Perales Premium Member
Rye Whiskey does not hide in this one. As John stated, a very spirit forward drink. It had a slight orange/Luxardo syrup finish. Having started with Bourbons and Whiskeys before I delved into cocktails, I really appreciated this one.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
This was outstanding. Nice and spirit forward, and slightly sweet. Great mix of the rye, orange, and cherry flavours. Did use to California Rye which is at 110 proof, which just made it a tad better. Another hit cocktail from Simon.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Next time, we may substitute Cherry Heering for the cherry juice.
score: 1
Frank Bartholomew Premium Member
Thanks for providing a recipe for a single serving of this drink. Most others found are infused bottle concoctions containing these same ingredients plus optional spices. I tried this as written and enjoyed it thoroughly. Tried it again with two drops of cinnamon tincture for the spice. Also tasty.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Good to hear. Thanks. A touch of spice is a great addition.
score: 1

View 10 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$0.15 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 100 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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