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Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Lydia Martin
People like their Scotch differently- some like it neat while others like it on the rocks or as a cocktail. But have you heard of Scotch on the rocks with a twist?
We bet you’re curious, so here’s everything you need to know about this amazing Scotch drink.
What’s Scotch On The Rocks With A Twist?
Scotch on the rocks with a twist is a Scotch whisky with ice and a little slice of lemon skin.
The lemon skin is twisted and rubbed along the rim of the glass for an immediate taste and aroma of lemon before the Scotch reaches your tongue.
History & Origin
The term “on the rocks” came from an old Scottish tradition of using chilled stones from the mountain snow to cool the whisky. In the 1940s, it was coined and was described as adding ice to the spirits.
On the other hand, the “twist” derived its name from the thin strip of a citrus peel without pith and meat. It is twisted on the drink’s surface to release the lemon’s oils and aroma.
Is It Really A Scotch Drink?
Scotch on the rocks with a twist is a Scotch drink. The drink is made from Scotch whisky, with ice and a strip of citrus peel. Scotch whisky is a distilled spirit made in Scotland, and its production and sales strictly follow the Scotch Whisky Act of 1988 [1].
From grain to bottles, the Scotch whisky used for the Scotch on the rocks with a twist should be made in Scotland.
What’s Scotch On The Rocks?
Scotch on the rocks is technically a whisky that contains ice. In the bar, the terminology “rocks” means ice, and when you order Scotch on the rocks, you ask for a straight pour of the Scotch whisky served over ice.
The ice on the Scotch whisky melts and opens up the spirit’s aroma and flavors while simultaneously relaxing the harsh notes of the whisky. It is like adding a splash of water to your whisky, but it cools your drink at the same time.
What’s A “Twist” In This Particular Drink?
The twist on this particular drink is the lemon peel. It is a citrus peel and does not contain meat of the fruit or pith. People add a twist to their Scotch drink as garnish and great aroma.
Since the lemon peel is twisted over the drink’s surface, it releases aroma and oils to the whisky drink. Check out some popular Scotch mixers here.
How To Drink Scotch On The Rocks
To drink Scotch on the rocks, sip the drink slowly and savor the taste of the whisky. When the lemon strip is twisted in the rim and on the whisky, it releases a nice citrusy aroma and will greet you first.
You don’t need to remove the twist dropped in the whisky; don’t think about taking or biting it. The twist on the drink is meant to give an extra aroma to the whisky, and it does not contain lemon meat that you should chew.
What Does It Taste Like?
Scotch on the rocks with a twist tastes like Scotch whisky but with an added citrus aroma that will greet you once you take a sip. Since it contains no citrus meat, it will not make your drink sour or tangy.
However, the oil released on the twist can give a nice strong flavor of lemon that is pleasing to the nose.
Whether you order one at the bar or make one at home, it would be best to savor the nice aroma of the Scotch on the rocks with a twist before drinking it. But what’s the best whisky on the rocks?
How To Order Scotch On The Rocks With A Twist
To order one Scotch on the rocks with a twist, tell the bartender, ” one Scotch on the rocks with a twist.” Remember to keep eye contact, and tell it politely and loud enough for your bartender to hear.
If you prefer a Scotch whisky brand, you can mention your preferred brand, but it would be nice to ask for a “house Scotch over ice with a twist.”
House Scotch is a whisky regularly stocked at the brand and is the best deal for the customer and the bar.
FAQs
Should Scotch be neat or on the rocks?
Scotch should be drunk neat, especially if you want the most out of the flavors of the Scotch whisky. However, drinking it on the rocks would be nice if you want a social and refreshing option. But how do you order whisky at a bar?
Is Scotch good on the rocks?
Yes, Scotch is good on the rocks. The coldness of the whisky dominates the aroma and alcohol flavors, making it more accessible to drink. However, to taste more of Scotch, you should drink it neat or with a splash of water.
In Conclusion
Scotch on the rocks with a twist is a whisky drink made from Scotch whisky, ice, and a twist of the lemon strip.
The lemon strip comes from the lemon skin and is twisted on the top to release oil and aroma. The rind (skin side) of the lemon is rubbed along the rim of the glass to give an immediate aroma and taste of lemon before the drink reaches the tongue.
Reference:
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/22/enacted
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
