The Flying Scotchman
The Flying Scotchman: An Early Railway-Inspired Cocktail
The Flying Scotchman cocktail appeared in bartending manuals from the early 20th century, named after the famous express passenger train service that ran between London and Edinburgh starting in 1862.
The train became an icon of speed and luxury travel, making it a fitting namesake for a sophisticated Scotch cocktail, according to Difford's Guide.
The cocktail combines Scotch with sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, and a small amount of sugar syrup. This formula creates a drink similar to a sweetened Rob Roy or Old Fashioned, with the vermouth adding wine-like complexity while bitters contribute spice, as noted in Kindred Cocktails.
The Flying Scotchman represents the early 20th-century bartending tradition of creating variations on established templates. The drink's proportions balance Scotch's malt character with sweet vermouth's botanical notes while additional sugar softens any harsh edges.
The cocktail remained relatively obscure throughout most of the 20th century. Modern bartenders occasionally revive the Flying Scotchman as an example of pre-Prohibition Scotch cocktails, though it never achieved the lasting fame of drinks like the Rob Roy or Rusty Nail.
RECIPE:
2 oz Scotch whisky
1 oz sweet vermouth
1/4 oz simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Lemon twist for garnish
Method:
Add Scotch, sweet vermouth, simple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir until well-chilled, about 30 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Express lemon twist over the drink and garnish.