Scotch Cocktail: The Black Watch

It’s time to break out the scotch! Drinking, for me, is a seasonal undertaking and nothing quite says January like the smoky, peaty notes of a well-crafted scotch cocktail. Some drinks are forthcoming with their back-story, and others are much more shrouded in mystery. This is the tale of one cocktail that while the recipe is accessible, the story is nowhere to be found.

The Black Watch cocktail, now yes there is the Black Watch, the name of a military regiment, both here in Canada and across the pond in Scotland however that’s the only other reference found to Black Watch. Was it a cocktail that was named for the unit? Maybe someone in the unit crafted it themselves one evening. Unfortunately we have no way of knowing at this time. If anyone does know of a history source please let us know!

In the grand scheme of things it is what’s in the glass, not the story behind it hat matters most and this is a drink with a touch of everything. The depth and complexity of scotch balances well off the sweetness of coffee liqueur. Lemon is an absolute must; it brings a lightness to this otherwise dark and bold drink. If you are one for cocktails with a lighter alcohol content the club soda can easily be increased to offer a milder mix. Enough talk, let’s start mixing!

Cocktail: The Black Watch

Ingredients:

2 oz. scotch

1 oz. coffee liqueur

Splash of club soda

1 Lemon peel for garnish

Directions:

• Combine the scotch and coffee liqueur over ice, stir until well chilled.
• Transfer to glass, add ice and top with club soda.
• Twist the lemon peel over the glass, and run the rind over the rim.
• Place in glass for garnish.
• Serve.

As far as scotch cocktails go, this is a sweet one. The lack of a backstory may bother some, but outside of an interesting story to tell at a cocktail party all that really matters is what is in the glass. This blend of liqueur, liquor and citrus could make an appearance in the back corner of a smoky bar just as easily as it could slide out onto the patio on a warm spring afternoon. To the creator of the Black Watch cocktail; thank you, wherever you are.