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Bobby Burns (Embury's recipe)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (112)
Bobby Burns (Embury's recipe) image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Blended Scotch whisky
1 fl oz Strucchi Rosso Vermouth (chilled)
1/4 fl oz Honey herbal liqueur (e.g. Drambuie)
2 dash Peychaud's or other Creole-style bitters

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Bobby Burns (Embury's recipe) contains 203 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.8 standard drinks
  • 25.72% alc./vol. (51.44° proof)
  • 25.3 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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

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History

Recipe adapted from David A. Embury's 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks. His Rob Roy and Bobbie Burns recipe reference a footnote, "An interesting variation of these drinks may be obtained by substituting Peychaud bitters for the Angostura. Peychaud, somehow seems to blend better than Angostura with the Scotch."

BOBBIE BURNS
Rob Roy with the addition of 1 dash of Drambuie for each drink. Benedictine is sometimes used in place of the Drambuie. However, the Drambuie is preferable because it is made with a Scotch whisky base.

David Embury, 1948


Bobby Burns cocktail history

More cocktails by David A. Embury

Review

As Embury says, there's some sense in using a Scotch-based liqueur, and although this version of the Bobby Burns is rarely seen, it's worthy of a trial.

Variations/similar cocktails

Bobby Burns (Craddock's 1930 recipe)
Bobby Burns (Crockett's 1931 recipe)
Bobby Burns (Difford's recipe)
Bobby Burns (Fleury's 1934 recipe)

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$2.50 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 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.

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* 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.

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Comments & Discussion

Wiggles 101
Here I am, in a bar on the shores of Loch Lomond, and they're serving something called a Bonnie Banks. It's delightful, yet maybe too sweet.
I'm not seeing a "Bonnie Banks" anywhere on Diffs, but this version of the Bobby is the closest, only without the bitters.
I need a bottle of Drambuie in my cupboard stat.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Did you discover Bonnie Banks at Cameron House? Please can you ask for the recipe and share it here?
score: 1
Wiggles 101
It was at The Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha. Unfortunately I didn't ask for the recipe, but I'd imagine equal parts of everything minus the bitters.
I'll need to experiment when I get back home.
score: 1
Simon Difford Simon Difford Continue thread (1 reply)
jartippersean Premium Member
My ratios are 2 parts scotch (JW Black works well), 1 part Cocchi sweet vermouth and 1/2 part D.O.M. But last week I absentmindedly grabbed the Drambuie instead. Didn't realize my error until well after finishing what was a delicious cocktail. I guess next time I'll just reach into the cabinet with my eyes closed ...
score: 2
Peter M Premium Member
Nice drink. I used Johnnie Walker Black & Dolin Rouge. Everything is well-balanced. Great option if you're in the mood for smoke, but not too much.
score: 2
Miguel Perales Premium Member
Upfront, I thought it was going to be too sweet; however, the Scotch and the bitters soon took over for a nice finish. Very enjoyable
score: 2
Daniel Jones
I didn't know there were at least three variations of this cocktail, and one with Drambuie. I haven't found enjoyable enough cocktails with Drambuie, although I've used half a bottle trying, but this one was very good for me. I used .75 Talisker 10, .75 Monkey Shoulder, 2/3 Carpano Sweet Vermouth, .25 Drambuie, & 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters with a lemon twist & a Luxardo cherry.
score: 2
Yorey C
i have had the same experience with drambuie and this was also an immediate favorite
score: 1
Erik Maloney
There's a minor typo in the "History" section, "Rob Rob" for "Rob Roy." But the drink itself is lovely--this spec, as given or lightly modified, allows the spirit to shine more clearly than many Bobby Burns builds. This might become my go-to for this cocktail when using single malts in general, but especially for subtle or delicate expressions.
score: 5
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks for taking the time to leave such a good comment, Erik. I've fixed the typo.
score: 1
Chris Brislawn
Ok, Angostura is probably wrong here, but instead of Peychaud's I like the way Bitter Truth Creole Bitters play with the Drambuie. I upped the Drambuie a bit to proportions of 6:3:1. This also calls for a Luxardo on a cocktail sword.
score: 1
Dave Smith
Very nice cocktail. I adjusted to 1.5 scotch (glenfiddich), .5 sweet vermouth. .25 drambuie, dash peychauds. A good one for experimentation
score: 2
Dave Smith
Enjoying this recipe in honor of Mr Emburys birthday as suggested by the app…
score: 1
Lynette Clayton
The Drambuie is only nuanced. I could go for a bit more. At least now.
score: 1
David Brockley
Thanks Simon. You had myslef, my liver and my Dr very worried for a moment! Definitely a great feature though. Tracking units for cocktails is a pain.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
I'm pleased to report our alcohol counter is now reporting a more moderate level of alcohol as we've now properly accounted for dashes and drips of bitters.
score: 2

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.50 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 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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