One Bottle Three Ways: Drambuie
Welcome back to One Bottle, Three Ways.
This series spotlights the overlooked spirits and modifiers that deserve more than a supporting role, showing how one bottle can inspire three simple, mixable cocktails. No elaborate prep, no multi-day infusions, just clever builds you’ll actually want to make. Whether you’re experimenting at home or behind the bar, think of it as your reminder that every bottle has more to give.
This round features Drambuie, a whisky liqueur bottled at 40 per cent ABV and crafted from Scotch whisky, spices, herbs, and heather honey.
Created in the 18th century for Bonnie Prince Charlie, its name comes from the Scots Gaelic An Dram Buidheach, meaning “the drink that satisfies.” Once a royal elixir, today it’s a bartender’s quiet essential; it’s rich, aromatic, and endlessly versatile.
Showcasing it is Lacey Roberts, Head Bartender at Published on Main and founder of BarSide Gatherings. An international award-winning bartender and scientist, Lacey explores how Drambuie can shift from bright and citrusy to smooth and spirit-forward, showing us that this storied liqueur satisfies in more ways than one.
Drambuie isn’t just a winter mixer, it’s a year-round essential, and Lacey’s cocktails capture the flavour and feeling of each season in a glass.
Through the Leaves
Fresh, light, and green. Like the sunlight breaking through the Spring leaves when laying in the garden.
Ingredients
1.0 oz Drambuie
0.5 oz Basil Liqueur*
1.0 oz Glenfiddich 14 Year
1.0 oz Sparkling Wine (Brut)
1.0 - 2.0 oz Sparkling Water
Garnish: Fresh basil
Method
In a cocktail shaker add Drambuie, liqueur, and Scotch with ice. Shake until chilled and diluted. Strain into the vessel of your choice. Top with sparkling wine and sparkling water & garnish with freshly slapped basil. Ice is optional.
Lacey’s Additional Notes:
This recipe can be made beforehand (minus the sparkling & soda) for an event like dinner or a party and kept in the fridge until guests arrive, then poured into a glass and topped with sparkling ingredients. Whether it’s built into a large coupe up, wine or collins glass with ice, it can be enjoyed as you wish.
*Basil Liqueur
15 g fresh basil
250 ml Vodka
250 ml Water
250 ml White Sugar
In a blender, blend basil and vodka. Fine strain through a coffee filter. While filtering, heat water and sugar in a saucepan over low to medium heat until dissolved and integrated. Combine vodka-infused basil and simple syrup to create the liqueur. Keep refrigerated when not in use for up to one week.
Summer Dreams
Fruity, flirty, and fun. Still hot days with cooler nights that let you still think of the warm sun, even with your jacket on.
Ingredients
1.0 oz Drambuie
1.0 oz Reyka Vodka
1.0 oz Strawberry & Thyme Syrup**
0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Garnish: Sliced Strawberry Fan & Thyme
Method
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and diluted. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish.
**Strawberry & Thyme Syrup
500 g Frozen Strawberries
500 ml Water
500 ml White Sugar
20 g Fresh Thyme
Pinch of Salt
Add all ingredients to a pot, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes, making sure to stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then carefully using a hand mixer break down the softened strawberries. Strain the mixer to remove pulp and leaves. Then store in the fridge for up to a week.
Autumn Nights
A riff on the tried and true classic "Rusty Nail" that can be built in a glass and stirred on a night of low energy, or stirred down in a mixing glass and poured over a large ice cube to treat yourself. Stiff, strong, and dependable. Night time temps dip, but the sipper keeps your bones warm and lets you look forward to the fall ahead.
Ingredients
1.5 oz Drambuie
1.0 oz Strong Aroma Baijiu
Garnish: Orange Twist
Method
Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled and diluted. Strain into a rocks glass over one large cube. Take a fresh peel of an orange and express the oils over top of the glass and you have a delicious tipple to enjoy.
