Although perhaps not originally named after Robert Burns (1759-1796), the poet, balladeer and Scotland's favourite son, the Bobby Burns is drunk to honour...
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.
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.
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).
"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."
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.
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.