Cranachan cocktail recipe by The Sun Tavern
Toast Rabbie Burns with an imaginative cocktail inspired by the eponymous traditional Scottish dessert. Here's how to make it at home
On 25 January 2024, bars, restaurants, families and households across the world will be raising a wee dram to celebrate Scottish poet, Robert Burns. And, if you didn’t know, the Scots never celebrate things by halves. Burns Night often features a hearty three-course meal, rousing renditions of the Selkirk Grace and the all-important address to the haggis followed by plenty of dancing and merriment. The best part? Everyone can join in on the fun.
In London, you don’t need to ask hospitality whizzes twice. Jumping on the celebration to create unique recipes, from food to cocktails, the capital always pulls out all the stops to toast Rabbie Burns – and 2024 is no different. One location in particular is east London cocktail bar The Sun Tavern, which has collaborated with Aberfeldy Whisky to create an exclusive drinks menu available for one day only. Serving up free haggis canapés from Broadway Market stalwart, Deeney’s, Londoners are invited to pay their dues to the great poet who waxed lyrical on haggis, mice and red, red roses – and what better way to do so than with a cocktail or two?
Dan Ghazal
Throughout the evening on 25 January, The Sun Tavern will showcase its finest Aberfeldy cocktails including Bobby Burns – Aberfeldy 12-year-old whisky, sweet vermouth and Benedictine – and the sweeter Cranachan, featuring Aberfeldy 12-year-old whisky, sauternes, strawberry, shortbread and whey. “The Cranachan is a clarified milk punch based on the classic Scottish dessert of the same name,” explains bar manager Dan Ghazal. “Aberfeldy 12-year-old whisky is rich in honey and fruit notes that pair really well with flavours of the dessert, making it a great cocktail to toast Burns Night.”
And lucky for you – whether you fancy hitting the town on 25 January or would rather observe the celebrations at home – we’ve got the exclusive recipe. Here’s how you can recreate the Cranachan at home this Burns Night.
Recipe
Cranachan
Ingredients
- Aberfeldy 12-year-old Scotch Whisky 35ml
- Sauternes 15ml
- Strawberry purée 15ml
- Honey 15ml
- Lemon juice 5ml
- Whole milk infused with two sticks of shortbread 50ml
Method
- Gently heat the milk with two fingers of shortbread on the hob.
- Once hot and the shortbread has dissolved, strain the milk to remove remnants of the shortbread.
- While still hot, slowly pour the remaining ingredients into the milk.
- The acidity from the lemon juice and strawberries will cause the milk to curdle and split.
- Allow to cool. Once cooled, pour the curdled mix through a coffee filter or fine sieve to clarify.
- Once clarified, pour the drink over ice and garnish with some shortbread.
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