6 Outlander Cocktails to Transport You to the Highlands

If you’re just as much of an Outlander fan as I am, then you’re going to absolutely love these Outlander cocktails all inspired by our favorite show. From the Red Jamie to the Healer’s Tonic, there’s something here for every Outlander fan!

These Outlander cocktails were a recipe series on my Instagram with each drink inspired by a different season leading up to the premiere of Season 7.

Highland Rhenish

This drink was inspired by Colum MacKenzie’s favorite tool of persuasion, Rhenish wine, which is a German white wine. It’s made with Scotch whisky, honey syrup, lemon juice, and dry riesling, which is a type of Rhenish wine.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces dry riesling
• 1 ounce of Scotch whisky
• ½ ounce honey simple syrup (store bought or see syrup section for how to make)
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• Sprig of thyme for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add the riesling, whisky, honey syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice and shake until well chilled.
3. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with thyme.

The Red Jamie

The Red Jamie is inspired by Jamie Fraser’s infamous rebel nickname of season 2. The drink itself is actually a cross between two classic cocktails – the New York Sour and a White Lady. The White Lady is another nod to Claire’s nickname, La Dame Blanche.

Just like Jamie and Claire – this cocktail mashup is a match made in heaven! It was also a great way to try out Sam Heughan’s Wild Scottish Gin from his Sassenach Spirits line, which I highly recommend! It’s one of my favorite Outlander cocktails from this series.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin (preferably Scottish)
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup (store bought or see syrup section for recipe)
• 1 egg white (optional or 1-2 tablespoons of aquafaba [the liquid in canned chickpeas])
• ½ ounce red wine
• Cocktail cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake without ice, then add ice and shake until well chilled.
3. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
4. Slowly and gently, add the red wine to the cocktail. Use a cup that has a spout or gently pour in using a spoon set on the surface of the cocktail so that the red wine floats near the top.

Freedom & Whisky Old Fashioned

This Freedom & Whisky Old Fashioned is inspired by the words of Scottish poet, Robert Burns, whose work is quoted in the series. The famous line is, “Freedom and Whisky gang thegither”, from Burn’s The Author’s Earnest Cry and Prayer.

The drink was also inspired by my Smoked Rosemary Bourbon Old Fashioned.

Ingredients:

• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 2 ounces of Scotch whisky
• ½ ounce honey simple syrup (store bought or see syrups for homemade version)
• 2-3 dashes bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Carefully light the end of a rosemary spring. Cover the rosemary with a cocktail glass to trap smoke. Allow to smoke inside the glass while you make the cocktail.
2. Add the whisky, honey syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well chilled.
3. Flip the cocktail glass and add ice (preferably large and clear) to the glass.
4. Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with the orange peel.

Tea & Tartan Hot Toddy

This Tea & Tartan Hot Toddy is made with apple cider and American blended whiskey inspired by the Fraser’s American adventures.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup brewed black tea (I used bourbon cask black tea)
• 2 teaspoons honey (or to taste)
• 1 ½ ounces American whiskey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ½ cup warm apple cider
• Dried or fresh apple slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brew black tea according to the package directions and sweeten with honey to taste.
2. Pour the tea into a mug and add whiskey and cinnamon stick.
3. Top with warm apple cider, give it a stir, and garnish with a dried or fresh apple slice.

The Fiery Cross

The Fiery Cross Cocktail is inspired by the call to arms and unification of the Scottish settlers to follow Jamie’s leadership. It’s a smoky twist on the classic Fitzgerald, made with Scottish gin, lemon juice, honey ginger syrup, and bitters all topped off with a charred lemon slice.

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon peel
• 1 ½ ounce gin (preferably Scottish – I used one from Edinburgh Gin)
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce honey ginger syrup (store bought or see syrup section for homemade)
• 2-3 dashes bitters
• 1 fresh lemon slice and/or rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Light the end of the lemon peel until it is smoking on a heat safe plate. Cover the lemon peel with the cocktail glass and set aside.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, lemon juice, honey ginger syrup, and bitters.
3. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with lemon slice* and rosemary.

For a charred lemon, sear each side of a lemon slice on a very hot pan or grill. You can also use a kitchen lighter.

Healer’s Tonic

A roundup of Outlander cocktails would be remiss if we didn’t add a recipe inspired by Claire’s skills as a healer. Made with several botanical ingredients that have connections in herbalism, this cocktail is a cross between two of my favorite cocktails – an Aviation and a Gin & Tonic.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounce gin (again preferably Scottish)
• ½ ounce elderflower liqueur (like St. Germain or St. Elder)
• ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• Top with elderflower tonic (such as Fever Tree or Q Mixers)
• Thyme and/or lemon slices for garnish

Instructions:

• Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
• Then, add ice and shake until well chilled.
• Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
• Top with elderflower tonic water and garnish with thyme and/or lemon slices.

Flavored Simple Syrups for the Cocktails

Honey Simple Syrup

This syrup is needed for the Highland Rhenish and Freedom & Whisky Old Fashioned recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup honey
• ½ cup water

Instructions:

1. Combine the honey and water in a small saucepan over low-medium heat.
2. Once the honey has completely melted into the water, remove the pan from the heat, and allow it to cool to room temperature.
3. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Plain Simple Syrup

This syrup is needed for the Red Jamie Cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of granulated sugar

Instructions:

• Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Whisk the sugar until full dissolved.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool. Keeps in fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. 

Honey Ginger Syrup

This syrup is for The Fiery Cross Cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup honey
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup fresh ginger root, peeled, and chopped into 1 inch pieces.

Instructions:

• Combine the honey, water, and ginger root in a small saucepan over low-medium heat.
• Once the honey has completely melted into the water, remove the pan from the heat, and allow the ginger to steep for at least 15 minutes (longer for a spicier ginger flavor).
• Remove the ginger root with a slotted spoon and allow the syrup to completely cool to room temperature.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.