On the Sly Scotch Cocktail

I’m usually not one for sweeter, creamy cocktails. At least not anymore. There are two exceptions, though. 

Sometimes I can swing one for dessert. And, if they are spiced, I think they fit right in with the holiday season. 

So when I was flipping through my review copy of Maggie Hoffman’s The One-Bottle Cocktail, the On the Sly caught my eye. I took a second glance due to the combination of it being spiced, creamy, coffee-infused, and…it uses Scotch! 

I know there are Scotch cocktails out there, but they are so much less common than cocktails with other spirits. And as you probably know, anything a little less common, but also delicious, has my name written all over it. 

Maggie’s book came out earlier this year. If you haven’t had a copy in your hand, you probably came across it in one of the numerous web and magazine features it was in throughout the year. 

The attention is well deserved. It is full of creative cocktails that are easy to make, using just one spirit. The back of the book reads,

“How many times have you wanted to mix yourself a drink, cracked open a good-looking cocktail book, and realized that every recipe requires a bunch of obscure, expensive spirits, liqueurs, and bitters — none of which you have?”

The book is about simplicity and it is loaded with great ideas, many of which I was completely unfamiliar with. And I consider myself pretty well read in cocktails. 

Each recipe makes one cocktail, again making simplicity the key. 

On the Sly is a beautiful blend of ingredients that I would have never thought to combine. Scotch and cold-brewed coffee are shaken with a little cream, allspice, cocoa, and cayenne. The drink is sweetened with maple syrup making the sweetness complex and not overly sugary. 

It shakes up into a foamy, creamy liquid that looks lovely strained into a cocktail glass. It has a touch of elegance, and of course the spice that makes it a great holiday drink. 

I’m thrilled to have this book around for the holiday season. If you are looking for something to step up your hosting game or have a cocktail lover on your list, it’s the perfect gift. 

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces Scotch
2 ounces unsweetened cold-brew or double-strength brewed coffee, decaf if desired
3/4 ounce maple syrup
1/2 ounce heavy cream
2 pinches ground allspice
1 pinch unsweetened cocoa
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Garnish:  1 pinch allspice, 1 pinch cayenne (optional)

PREPARATION

Combine Scotch, coffee, maple syrup, heavy cream, allspice, cocoa, and cayenne in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously until well chilled and very frothy, about 20 seconds. Strain into a wine glass (I used a coupe glass) and garnish with allspice and cayenne if desired.