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Stephen Curtin’s Avatar Stephen Curtin
16th April 2023 at 13:54
David Wondrich found a reference to a Rob Roy Cocktail in a newspaper article from 1873.

"The Rob Roy cocktail is made with a little gum syrup, two dashes of Angostura, a few drops of oychette cordial [orgeat], in a tumbler filled with fine ice, strained." - New York Sun - 22nd August 1873. Too bad this reference forgot to include a base spirit, but it's probably safe to assume Scotch.
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
17th April 2023 at 10:31
Now back at my desk, I've found earlier Rob Roys and so I have substantially updated the above. Many thanks for your help, Stephen.
Stephen Curtin’s Avatar Stephen Curtin
15th April 2023 at 10:15
I just found an older version of the the Rob Roy in the 1889 book "Drinks: how to mix and how to serve"

Rob Roy Cocktail
2 dashes gum syrup
1/2 jigger apple brandy
1/2 vermouth
Stir; strain into cocktail glass and serve
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
16th April 2023 at 08:19
Many thanks Stephen, I've added the quote from your link above. I'm now on a quest to find the earliest Rob Roy recipe based on Scotch. And indeed the latest reference to a Rob Roy based on another spirit.
Stephen Curtin’s Avatar Stephen Curtin
15th April 2023 at 20:16
Richard Elgar’s Avatar Richard Elgar
28th July 2022 at 04:38
I tried one with Bogart's Bitters today. Worked very well for this I thought.
Katie Winder’s Avatar Katie Winder
23rd December 2021 at 07:17
Good and easy to drink, but I think I would prefer Carpano Antica instead of Dolin Rouge next time. I did one dash aromatic bitters and one dash creole, should be more generous next time.
Jay Longy D.’s Avatar Jay Longy D.
1st September 2020 at 19:06
I used Ardbeg 5yo (wee bestie) and famously smokey and salt flavour. Next time i try petite serve ( 45ml whisky, 15ml rosso sweet and maybe some dash maraskino liquid from jar for little bit sweeter taste, and last but not least :-D 2dash aromatic bitters, ideal garnish with maraskino cherry on stick)