Bobby Burns cocktail

Manhattan & Riffs • December 16, 2025

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A photo of the Highland Spell cocktail containing Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend Scotch, Martini & Rossi Rosso Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Orange Bitters, Pernod Absinthe in a Old-Fashioned.

Curiada Ingredients

2.00 fl oz Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend Scotch or alternative
1.00 fl oz Martini & Rossi Rosso Sweet Vermouth or alternative
1.00 dash Angostura Orange Bitters or alternative
0.50 fl oz Pernod Absinthe or alternative

Directions

Fill old-fashioned glass with ice and pour absinthe over ice
Top with water and let stand
In separate mixing glass, combine Scotch, vermouth and bitters with ice
Stir mixture well
Discard absinthe, water and ice from old-fashioned glass
Fill glass with fresh ice
Strain stirred mixture into the absinthe-coated glass over fresh ice
Garnish with Luxardo Maraschino cherry

Cocktail Description

This mesmerizing blend of smoky Scotch and herbal absinthe creates a cocktail that dances between darkness and light, casting a spell that lingers long after the first sip.

The Bobby Burns cocktail combines the rich, honeyed smoke of Johnnie Walker Black with the sweet, herbal complexity of vermouth, while the absinthe rinse adds a ghostly anise essence that haunts the background. Orange bitters provide subtle citrus brightness that cuts through the intensity, with the Luxardo cherry offering a sweet-tart ending to each sip. Though it requires multiple steps including the absinthe rinse technique, even novice home bartenders can master it with careful attention to detail. This contemplative cocktail shines as an after-dinner drink on cool autumn evenings or as a sophisticated offering at intimate gatherings. Its robust flavor profile pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts, aged cheeses, or savory charcuterie boards featuring smoked meats.