Cocktails

Flying Scotchman

Flying Scotchman is an alcoholic cocktail built on Scotch. It leans sweet and herbal. Shaken and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 30.3% ABV and roughly 125 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic30.3% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

125 kcalCalories

30.3%ABV

3.8gSugar

5gCarbs

1.05Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 4 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1 ozScotchBase Spirit
1 ozSweet VermouthFortified Wine
1 dashBittersModifier
1/4 tspSugar syrupSweetener

How to Make It

Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.Shaken

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Honey Oak Red FruitSmokeSpice

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

High ABV
Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

Happy HourSuggested from pairing with charcuterie and olives.
AperitifSuggested from its herbal notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

Charcuterie OlivesSalty Snacks

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Sweet Vermouth1 oz

Rosso VermouthGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust only for the specific bottle’s sweetness and bitterness.
What changes: Rosso vermouth is a sweet red vermouth and is usually a close replacement for a generic sweet vermouth.

Dry VermouthNot a neutral swap

How much to use: You may need a small sweetener adjustment if the drink loses balance.
What changes: Dry vermouth is not a neutral substitute for sweet vermouth; it makes the drink much drier.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Bitters1 dash

Angostura BittersKnown variation

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes: When a recipe says only “bitters,” Angostura is a common aromatic default, except in drinks built around another named bitters style.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar Syrup1/4 tsp

SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well before serving or muddle/shake hard; start with about 1 teaspoon sugar per 1/4 oz syrup.
What changes: Sugar can replace simple syrup if it fully dissolves, but it adds less water.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Agave SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use slightly less at first, then adjust to taste.
What changes: Agave syrup can replace simple syrup, especially in tequila or mezcal drinks, but it adds an earthy agave note.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Demerara SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount, but avoid in very delicate drinks unless you want the darker flavor.
What changes: Demerara syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, darker sugar note is welcome.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Honey SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use slightly less at first; honey syrup can dominate delicate drinks.
What changes: Honey syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, floral sweetness is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Maple SyrupNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use less at first and avoid in delicate citrus or clear drinks unless you want maple flavor.
What changes: Maple syrup can replace simple syrup in darker or whiskey-style drinks, but it is not a neutral swap.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Related searches

Try alcohol-freeBrowse mocktails and zero-ABV alternatives.Make it lighterTry a longer serve style, more ice, soda, tonic or a lower-ABV alternative.Make it simplerTry drinks with three ingredients or fewer.Match it with foodFind food pairings that complement the flavors in this drink.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Flying Scotchman?: The Flying Scotchman is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 30.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 125 calories.
What does a Flying Scotchman taste like?: Flying Scotchman has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Herbal, Honey, Oak. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Flying Scotchman?: Flying Scotchman pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Flying Scotchman?: The Flying Scotchman has an ABV of approximately 30.3%. That's approximately 1.05 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 125 kcal, 3.8g sugar, 5.0g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Flying Scotchman typically served?: Flying Scotchman is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Flying Scotchman?: If you enjoy Flying Scotchman, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Flying Scotchman at home?: Yes. The Flying Scotchman uses 4 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Flying Scotchman with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.