Flying Scotsman

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (136 ratings)

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Ingredients:
1 23 oz Blended Scotch whisky
1 12 oz Strucchi Rosso Vermouth
16 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup (65.0°brix, equivalent to 2:1 rich syrup)
2 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill an Old-fashioned glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. STRAIN into ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice).
  5. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10

Review:

Lightly sweetened Scotch with a touch of aromatic bitter spice: like a homemade whisky liqueur.

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History:

Named after what is perhaps the world's most famous steam locomotive, The Flying Scotsman set two world records, the first steam locomotive reach 100 miles per hour and the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive (422 miles in 1989 whilst in Australia). The Flying Scotsman was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster and took its name from London to Edinburgh Flying Scotsman express service which it ran. This cocktail was apparently originally served to first-class passengers on board the train.

Adapted from a recipe in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book.

FLYING SCOTCHMAN COCKTAIL.
(6 people)

2½ Glasses Italian Vermouth.
3 Glasses Scotch Whisky.
1 Tablespoon Bitters.
1 Tablespoon Sugar Syrup.
Shake and strain into cocktail glass.

Harry Craddock, The Savoy Cocktail Book, 1930

Nutrition:

One serving of Flying Scotsman contains 197 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 21.51% alc./vol. (21.51° proof)
  • 21.6 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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29th April at 04:12
Made a riff on this tonight using A’bunadh, Antica Formula, Honey Syrup, dash each Peychaud and Angostura (Fee’s), adding 1/3oz Laphroaig CS and served up. It’s sublime.
29th April at 04:42
If this is different enough to warrant its own name, I’ll call this Ash & Honey
27th October 2024 at 18:31
Great drinks - made with Johnnie Walker Double Black adds a nice smokey touch. i’ll try with the maple syrup next a good suggestion!
Peter McCarthy’s Avatar Peter McCarthy
25th May 2024 at 05:03
Used Johnnie Walker Black & Dolin Rouge. This did not taste as expected, but I like it. Much less "smoke" than anticipated. A 30 second stir was plenty dilution (maybe too much and/or freezing the mixing glass might help?). Nice balance of the scotch/smoke/vermouth/sweet/spice from all ingredients. Smooth, easy sipper. Curious to try sub'ing maple syrup for the sugar syrup, as recommended by Jose Cruz.
Jose Cruz’s Avatar Jose Cruz
27th December 2023 at 04:28
forget simple syrup, 10 ML maple syrup takes this drink up two notches.
11th April 2023 at 03:01
Bien sucré/ amère
Asher Günther’s Avatar Asher Günther
7th November 2022 at 11:45
Beautiful drink. Subtly different, but in my opinion much better than a Rob Roy
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
25th June 2021 at 00:06
Very good combination of flavours. Good for an aperitif as it is similar in taste to Drambuie, but not as sweet. Overall a great drink.