Highland Orange Shot: Cointreau & Honeyed Scotch

This Highland Orange Shot delivers bold flavor in a compact pour. Cointreau brings crisp orange brightness, while Drambuie adds depth with honey, herbs, and Scotch whisky. It’s an easy, two-bottle shot that drinks smoother than expected and works just as well for slow sipping as it does for a quick send.

Background

While not a traditional classic, this shot borrows its DNA from the Rusty Nail’s honeyed Scotch profile and pairs it with orange liqueur for contrast. The result feels familiar to whisky drinkers but approachable for anyone who enjoys citrus-forward spirits.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• Cointreau – provides clean, bitter-sweet orange flavor and lift
• Drambuie – adds honeyed Scotch warmth with herbal depth

Substitutions:
No Cointreau? Use a quality triple sec or Grand Marnier for a richer orange note.
No Drambuie? Glayva is the closest commercial substitute.

Equipment

• Shot glass
• Bar spoon (optional, for a quick stir)

Why You’ll Love It

A Shot That Actually Has Structure

Instead of raw alcohol heat, this shot lands smooth and balanced. The citrus cuts sweetness, the Scotch liqueur adds body, and the finish lingers just long enough to be memorable.

Substitutions & Variations

• Swap Cointreau for Grand Marnier to lean darker and richer
• Add a single drop of orange bitters for extra snap
• Chill the ingredients first for a cleaner, silkier finish

Helpful Tips

• Stir briefly if you want a more integrated flavor
• Serve slightly chilled if batching for a group
• Works well as a pre-dinner shot for whisky fans