Pity the poor Rusty Nail, a noble drink that seldom gets the respect it deserves. Contemporary aficionados dismiss it as a concoction of the 1950s, and scoff at the notion that a true Scot would tolerate the blending of scotch and Drambuie. Like Formica and the shopping mall, it is seen as an unfortunate token of postwar American excess.A little research shows that the Rusty nail is far older than generally asserted. A recipe appeasrs as early as 1930, in The Savoy Cocktail Book. Their recipe is as follows:
-1 1/2 oz. scotch
- 1 tbsp. Drambuie
Place several ice cubes in an old fashioned glass. Pour scotch over the ice, then float the Drambuie on top. Do not stir, but let the ingredients mingle at their own rate.
The Rusty Nail is a more elaborate version of the equally elegant Scotch Mist. No mixing is needed for a Scotch Mist, and the drink's success hinges on having a quantity of shaved ice on hand. To create, fill an old fashioned glass with shaved ice, pour your favorite scotch over the ice, and add a twist of lemon peel. A slightly lighter scotch classic is the post-WWII Stone Fence, not to be confused with the prewar drink of the same name, which was made with cider and whiskey or apple brandy. The Stone Fence of the 1950s begins with several cubes of ice in a tall glass. Pour 1 1/2 oz. scotch over the ice, add a dash of Angostura bitters, and fill to the top with club soda.
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