Bobby Burns
Scotch, sweet vermouth and a little Bénédictine, stirred. A Rob Roy with a herbal edge.
- Time
- 4 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Glass
- Coupe
- Strength
- 2.4 UK units
How to make a Bobby Burns
- Chill the glass. Fill the coupe with ice and water, or put it in the freezer for a few minutes.
- Combine in a mixing glass. Add the Scotch, vermouth and Bénédictine to a mixing glass and fill it with ice.
- Stir until cold. Stir for about 30 seconds, until the glass is frosted and your hand starts to feel the cold.
- Strain and twist. Strain into the chilled coupe. Squeeze a strip of lemon peel over the top so the oils land on the drink, then drop it in.
- Glass
- CoupeNo coupe? A martini glass or any small stemmed glass.
- Ice
- No ice
- Garnish
- Lemon twistOr: An orange twist.
What you need to make a Bobby Burns
Kit
JiggerA double-ended measure, usually 25 ml and 50 ml.
Mixing glassAny sturdy jug or pint glass works.
Bar spoonA long teaspoon does the job.
StrainerA Hawthorne strainer fits over the tin or glass.
Vegetable peelerFor wide strips of peel with little pith.
Bottles we'd use
- Bénédictine DOMThere is no direct swap. It is a herbal and honeyed liqueur, and the drink relies on it.Find it on Amazon
- A blended ScotchChivas Regal 12 or Monkey Shoulder are smooth, easy options.Find it on Amazon
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The Bobby Burns story
It is named after the poet Robert Burns, which is why it turns up on Burns Night menus. It appears in print by the early 20th century, including The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930, but the inventor is not known and the exact origin is unclear.
It is a close cousin of the Rob Roy, with Bénédictine added for honey and spice. The Bénédictine is a light touch, so measure carefully. Too much and it takes over. A lemon twist is the classic finish, and it is worth keeping.
Bobby Burns: your questions answered
What is in a Bobby Burns?
A Bobby Burns is made with 50 ml Blended Scotch whisky, 25 ml sweet vermouth and Bénédictine. Garnish: lemon twist.
Is a Bobby Burns shaken or stirred?
A Bobby Burns is stirred, not shaken. Stirring with ice chills and dilutes it while keeping the drink clear and smooth. Shaking would cloud it and add tiny air bubbles, which suits citrus drinks but not this one.
How strong is a Bobby Burns?
Made to this recipe, a Bobby Burns contains about 2.4 UK units of alcohol per drink. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve a Bobby Burns in?
Serve a Bobby Burns in a coupe. No coupe? A martini glass or any small stemmed glass.
