Introduction
We’ve all heard of the classic Scotch whisky cocktail, the Rob Roy. The name itself is derived from the renowned Scottish folk hero and outlaw, Robert Roy MacGregor, and it was created in an effort to make the robust flavor of whisky more palatable to a broader audience. Its popularity has stood the test of time, cementing its status as a mainstay classic cocktail. But who first invented it and what makes it so special and unique? Read on to learn more about the history, ingredients, and steps to make this iconic cocktail at home.
History of the Rob Roy Cocktail
The Rob Roy cocktail first appeared in vogue in 1894. It was invented at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, by the maître d’hôtel, Martin Cuneo. The 1970s edition of the book Old Waldorf Bar Days, tells the story of how Cuneo created the cocktail to commemorate the 1894 opening of Shakespeare’s play, Rob Roy.
The Rob Roy was named after a character from the play, Jamie Oig Macgregor and his notorious uncle, Robert Roy MacGregor. Martin thought the name Rob Roy sounded more catchy and would pique people’s curiosity, so this is what was used as the brand. This assumption was bang on! To this day, the Rob Roy remains a staple whisky cocktail order.
Ingredients & Steps to Make a Rob Roy
Ingredients:
– 2 ounces Scotch whisky
– ½ ounce sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Maraschino cherry
Steps:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes
2. Pour in the Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters
3. Stir all the ingredients together for about 60 seconds to chill and dilute the drink
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass
5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Types of Rob Roy
When it comes to the Rob Roy, there is a lot of versatility. You can switch up the base spirit and use bourbon instead of Scotch whisky, to create a different take on the classic. This version is called the Manhattan.
You could also switch out the sweet vermouth and opt for a dry vermouth; this yields a quite different cocktail. This version is known as the Dry Rob Roy. You might also give the Rob Roy a Canadian twist by using Canadian whisky.
If you want to mix it up further, you can add various liqueurs to give the cocktail a sweeter taste. For instance, adding orange liqueur will give it a more citrusy, sweet flavor.
Conclusion
The Rob Roy is one of the most enjoyed whisky-based cocktails, and the perfect intersection between something sweet and something strong. Its origin dates back to 1894 when it was created for the opening of a Shakespearean play, and Martin Cuneo bet that the Rob Roy name would pique people’s curiosity – which it certainly did!
This classic Scotch whisk-based cocktail is also very versatile. You can switch it up and use bourbon in place of Scotch whisky, as well as switch out the sweet vermouth and opt for a dry vermouth. You can give it a Canadian twist by using Canadian whisky, or further mix it up by adding various liqueurs to make the drink sweeter.
So the next time you’re looking for a timeless whisky cocktail, each sip of a Rob Roy will bring you a little closer to the time of its conception.
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