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Cocktails

Highland Fling Cocktail

Highland Fling Cocktail is an alcoholic cocktail built on Scotch. It leans bitter and citrus. Stirred and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 34.5% ABV and roughly 151 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic34.5% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

151 kcalCalories
34.5%ABV
2.2gSugar
3.1gCarbs
1.33Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 4 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Stir all ingredients (except olive) with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.Stirred
  2. Add the olive and serve.Serve

How to Serve

Glass
Cocktail Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Ice
Method
Stirred
Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

BitterCitrus

Supporting notes

HerbalHoneyOakRed FruitSmoke

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • High ABV
  • Dry finish
  • Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

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

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

CharcuterieOlivesSalty 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-FreeVeganVegetarian

May be limited

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 Vermouth3/4 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

Orange Bitters2 dashes

Angostura BittersNot a neutral swap
How much to use
Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste; the result will be less citrus-led.
What changes
Angostura can replace orange bitters only when a warmer, more spice-led result is acceptable.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Olive1

Green OliveGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Green olive is usually a close substitute for olive in martini-style drinks.
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

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

Frequently asked questions

What is a Highland Fling Cocktail?
The Highland Fling Cocktail is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 34.5%. A standard serving contains approximately 151 calories.
What does a Highland Fling Cocktail taste like?
Highland Fling Cocktail has a flavour profile featuring Bitter, Citrus, Herbal, Honey. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Highland Fling Cocktail?
Highland Fling Cocktail pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Highland Fling Cocktail?
The Highland Fling Cocktail has an ABV of approximately 34.5%. That's approximately 1.33 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 151 kcal, 2.2g sugar, 3.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Highland Fling Cocktail typically served?
Highland Fling Cocktail is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Highland Fling Cocktail?
If you enjoy Highland Fling Cocktail, 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 Highland Fling Cocktail at home?
Yes. The Highland Fling Cocktail 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 Highland Fling Cocktail 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.