She Strengthens

The Toast of Scotland: A Whisky Cocktail with a Twist

Atholl Brose, a traditional Scottish drink, is a unique blend of Scotch whisky, steel-cut oats, honey, and cream. But what happens when you add a shot of cold-brewed coffee to the mix? Magic, that’s what.

The Birth of a New Classic

I experimented with various combinations of ingredients, but it wasn’t until I stumbled upon the perfect balance of flavors that I knew I had created something special. The key was to heighten the flavor of the oats without overpowering them. A chance encounter with a cook from a British pub led me to try adding coffee to the mix, and the result was nothing short of amazing.

A Delicious Detour

As I perfected the recipe, I discovered that the toasted oats used to infuse the milk made for a delicious breakfast oatmeal when cooked with water. Talk about a bonus! This cocktail is more than just a drink – it’s a culinary experience.

Getting Started

To make this unique cocktail, you’ll need a few ingredients:

• Good quality coffee concentrate (you can use store-bought or make your own)
• Steel-cut or stone-ground oats
• Whole milk
• Honey
• Blended Scotch whisky
• Kosher salt
• Granulated sugar
• Freshly grated nutmeg

The Recipe

Begin by making the honey syrup: combine 1 cup of honey with 1 cup of boiling water, then store it in the fridge. Next, toast the oats in the oven until they’re evenly tan and fragrant. Let them cool, then combine them with milk, salt, and sugar. Refrigerate overnight and strain the mixture the next day.

To make the cocktail, combine 1 1/2 ounces of blended Scotch whisky, 1/2 ounce of honey syrup, 2 ounces of oat-infused milk, and 1/4 ounce of cold-brew coffee concentrate in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake until chilled, and strain into a chilled stem glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

Want to serve this drink warm? Simply heat the honey syrup and oat-infused milk before mixing, and skip the ice. And don’t forget to repurpose those toasted oats for a delicious breakfast oatmeal!