Mary Queen of Scots Puts Emphasis on Scotch Cocktail

As a preferred base spirit for cocktails, Scotch whiskey historically ranks somewhere near dead last. Mixologists have found that the strong-flavored whiskeys of Scotland don't necessarily play well with other mixers. 

The new Lower East Side restaurant and bar Mary Queen of Scots refuses to accept that verdict. It's classic cocktails lists is headed with the few Scotch classics there are out there: Rob Roy, Scotch Old Fashioned, Robert Burns and Blood and Sand. Furthermore, the list also embraces another cocktail laggard: Brandy. Mary Queen of Scot will make its Sazeracs with Cognac and has a couple Brandy-based originals on the menu. 

"Jay Zimmerman and I collaborated on the cocktail list," wrote Marcine Franckowiak of Highlands, mentioning her The Breslin colleague. "For Mary Queen of Scots, I wanted to highlight the French influence and integrate it with the Scottish theme in the cocktail list. We chose to go very boozy for this particular list since we are in the Lower East Side, which has historically had a harder edge. We pride ourselves on a stellar Scotch list, but in addition to a dram you may also choose to indulge in an absinthe or Fernet as well."

Joining Zimmerman and Franckowiak behind the bar are an impressive line-up of New York mixologists, including Jim Kearns (Rye House, the Standard, Freemans, Mayahuel), TJ Lynch (Spotted Pig, Rusty Knot, the Breslin), and Nate Dumas (Pegu Club, Clover Club). 

Here's the list:

Classics

Rob Roy
AnCnoc 12yr single malt scotch, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, brandied cherries and a flamed orange twist

Scotch Old Fashioned
AnCnoc 12 yr Single Malt Scotch, muddled orange , sugar cube, and brandied cherries, Angostura bitters and orange bitters

Blood and Sand
Glenlivet 12 yr, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Cherry Heering, orange juice, flamed orange twist

Cognac Sazerac
Cognac, muddled sugar cube, peychaud bitters, Herbsaint, lemon twist

French 75
Hendricks, lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne, lemon twist

Robert Burns
Glenfiddich 12 yr, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Pernod, orange bitters, orange twist

House Cocktails
The Auld Alliance
Brandy, Compass Box Peat Monster, Luxardo maraschino, apple cider, maple bitters, Angostura bitters

The Babbington Plot
Plymouth Gin, Plymouth Sloe Gin, lemon juice, yellow chartreuse, powdered sugar

The Charles
Brandy, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, ginger syrup, muddled orange and mint, orange bitters

The Darnley
Appleton Rum, Drambuie, lemon juice, Peychaud bitters, splash of soda water

The Phoenix
Rittenhouse Rye, Applejack, mash syrup, orange bitters, Champagne

The Dauphin
Hendricks Gin, lemon, simple syrup, egg white, rose water, cucumber garnish