The Recipe for This Centuries-Old Scotch Liqueur Is Kept in a Secret Safe

Here's everything you need to know about Drambuie.

When I had a cold as a kid, my dad would add a drop of Cognac and a big spoonful of honey to my herbal tea. “It will soothe your throat,” he’d say to me. While honey is a go-to cure for a cold, the addition of Cognac might have been a holdover from his parent’s generation. Drambuie, a whisky-based liqueur made with honey and spices, reminds me an all grown up version of my childhood remedy. The recipe for the liqueur, which has a centuries-long history, is protected by lock and key (literally, it’s kept in a safe) and only three people know the details of it. Read on for everything you can know about Drambuie.

What is Drambuie

Drambuie is a balanced sweet and herbal liqueur made from Scotch whisky. To make it, Scotch whisky is blended with spices and rich honey that is made from the pollen of the heather plant, an herbaceous shrub. Its history dates back to 18th century Scotland where its proprietary recipe was shared between noble Scottish Clans.

What does Drambuie taste like?

“There’s no better time to have your first taste of Drambuie than fall,” write Carey Jones and John D. McCarthy.  With notes of sweet caramel and a whisper of licorice on the nose, plus plenty of honey and warming spices like cinnamon, clove, and star anise, it’s no surprise that Drambuie is perfect for colder weather. Wit ha smooth, silky texture and a long, lingering finish, Drambuie also features some of the distinctive smokey notes of Scotch.

How to drink Drambuie

Drambuie is delicious when enjoyed on its own as an aperitif, or as a post-dinner tipple. It can be served at room temperature or over an ice cube — a large ice cube will melt more slowly compared to a few small ones, slowing the process of dilution and keeping the spirit cold for longer. Given its rich texture and flavor profile, Drambuie is also excellent in a variety of cocktails.

Related: 11 Aperitifs to Serve at Your Next Dinner Party

Best Drambuie cocktails

The sweet and spiced notes in Drambuie play well with the bitter notes of coffee; try adding a splash of it to a refreshing espresso tonic. “Sometimes referred to as a cold brew tonic or an espresso tonic, the mix of tonic with a shot coffee creates a crisp and refreshing drink that has been waiting for an alcohol accomplice,” says Freddy May, professional bartender and global brand ambassador for Drambuie. “We already know that sweetened whiskey and coffee work as a dark and rich combination — Irish Coffee anyone?”

The Rusty Nail is a classic Drambuie cocktail which blends the liqueur with even more Scotch, a few dashes of citrusy Angostura bitters, and is served with a generous lemon twist. This cocktail was especially popular in the 1960s and 70s, and is said to have gotten its name from the rusty brown color of the drink itself.

Another favorite Drambuie drink, the Bonnie Prince Charlie, takes the spritz approach. The liqueur is simply poured into a glass and topped with sparkling wine, ice, and a lemon. This light and bubbly cocktail is named after Prince Charles Edward Stuart, who is said to have consumed a few drops a day during his wartime efforts to bring back his exiled family.

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