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Bobby Burns cocktail history
Although perhaps not originally named after Robert Burns (1759-1796), the poet, balladeer and Scotland's favourite son, this cocktail is drunk to honour...
Stephen Curtin
15th August 2024 at 09:51
Interestingly the 1913 book "Straub's Manual of Mixed Drinks" by Jacques Straub, has recipes for both a "Bobbie Burns" and a "Robert Burns" - BOBBIE BURNS (for two) - 1 barspoonful Orange Juice; 1 barspoonful Maraschino; Crush 1 Lump of Sugar; 1/2 Jigger Scotch; 1/2 Jigger Italian Vermouth; Shake. - ROBERT BURNS - 1 dash Absinthe; 3/4 Jigger Irish or Scotch Whiskey; 1/4 Jigger Italian Vermouth; Shake well.
15th August 2024 at 10:59
Brilliant work, Stephen. The 1899 'The National Police Gazette' recipe takes pole position as the earliest recipe. I'll update the page with your findings. Many thanks for sharing with us all.
14th August 2024 at 16:35
I found another earlier reference to a Bobby Burns cocktail in an newspaper article titled "Try these new drinks" from the September 9th 1899 issue of The National Police Gazette (New York).
14th August 2024 at 16:36
"Bobby Burns Cocktail (by W. J. Burke, Litchfield, Conn). Use mixing glass; fill up with shaved ice; two dashes of gum; two dashes of oranges bitters; two dashes of ginger cordial; one pony of Scotch Whiskey. Strain into cocktail glass; squeeze lemon rind and serve."
14th August 2024 at 16:12
A recipe for a "Robert Burns" from 1910 taken from "Jack's manual on the vintage and production, care and handling of wines, liquors". 3 sashes of Absinthe, 50% Irish Whiskey, 50% French Vermouth, 1/2 glass cracked ice. Stir with spoon, strain and serve.
14th August 2024 at 10:02
The Bobby Burns appears in Hugo Ensslin's "Recipes for Mixed Drinks" from 1916. Ensslin's recipe is identical to Craddock's except with 2 sashes of Benedictine instead of 3.
9th November 2021 at 19:44
Probably in my top 5 favorite cocktails. Mr. Burns was also quite a writer of hilarious bawdy poetry!