CSP Scotch Whisky Cocktails & Mixology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Scotch-based cocktail is made with Scotch whisky, honey liqueur, and lemon juice?
- Rusty Nail
- Godfather
- Bee's Knees
- Penicillin (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Penicillin
The Penicillin cocktail, created by Sam Ross, combines blended Scotch, lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, and a float of peaty Islay single malt.
Question 2: In a Rob Roy cocktail, what is the ratio of Scotch to sweet vermouth in the classic recipe?
- 1:1
- 2:1 (Correct answer)
- 3:1
- 4:1
Correct answer: 2:1
The classic Rob Roy uses a 2:1 ratio of Scotch whisky to sweet vermouth, mirroring the Manhattan's proportions but substituting Scotch for bourbon.
Question 3: What garnish is traditionally used in a Blood and Sand cocktail?
- Lemon twist
- Maraschino cherry (Correct answer)
- Orange slice
- Cocktail onion
Correct answer: Maraschino cherry
A maraschino cherry is the traditional garnish for the Blood and Sand, a cocktail made with equal parts Scotch, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth, and orange juice.
Question 4: Which modifier is used in an Affinity cocktail alongside Scotch whisky?
- Both dry and sweet vermouth (Correct answer)
- Only dry vermouth
- Amaretto and sweet vermouth
- Campari and dry vermouth
Correct answer: Both dry and sweet vermouth
The Affinity cocktail uses equal parts Scotch, dry vermouth, and sweet vermouth, making it a perfect-style stirred cocktail similar to the Perfect Rob Roy.
Question 5: When building a Scotch Mist, what glassware and preparation technique is used?
- Highball glass, built over ice
- Old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice (Correct answer)
- Coupe, shaken and strained
- Snifter, neat
Correct answer: Old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice
A Scotch Mist is simply Scotch poured over a glass packed with crushed ice, typically served in an old fashioned glass with a lemon twist.
Question 6: What is the primary flavor profile a bartender seeks when selecting an Islay Scotch for a smoky cocktail float?
- Sherry and dried fruit
- Phenolic peat and brine (Correct answer)
- Honey and heather
- Vanilla and caramel
Correct answer: Phenolic peat and brine
Islay malts are chosen for cocktail floats specifically for their high phenolic (peat smoke) content and saline maritime notes, which contrast with sweeter base layers.
Question 7: Which historical cocktail era popularized Scotch whisky cocktails in American bars before Prohibition?
- The Tiki Era (1940s–1960s)
- The Golden Age (1880s–1900s) (Correct answer)
- The Disco Era (1970s)
- The Craft Cocktail Revival (2000s)
Correct answer: The Golden Age (1880s–1900s)
The Golden Age of cocktails from the 1880s to early 1900s saw Scotch widely used in American bars, with recipes like the Rob Roy and Affinity appearing in major cocktail books of the period.
CSP Scotch Whisky Cocktails & Mixology 2
Which Scotch-based cocktail is made with Scotch whisky, honey liqueur, and lemon juice?