During my time in the Scottish Borders I discovered a few beverages that I’d never heard of before. Here’s a list of five interesting drinks that I personally associate with Scotland. If you knew all of these drinks prior to reading this article, then chances are you are Scottish!
Pimm’s #1
I know, I know, I know…Pimm’s #1 was invented by the Englishman James Pimm, so it’s an English beverage. However, I first became acquainted with this drink when I attended a horse race in the Scottish Borders. I can attest to the fact that they love horses and horse racing in the borders, and at these horse racing events they love drinking Pimm’s cocktails. Pimm’s #1 is a gin based spirit that is made with a secret recipe infusing gin with herbal botanicals, caramelised orange, and warm spices. It is traditionally mixed with lemonade, and various chopped fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and brambleberries. A Pimm’s cup is a sign of the summer time in Britain and is the official drink of Wimbledon.
Irn-Bru
Irn-Bru is considered the other national drink of Scotland. This bright neon orange carbonated drink was first launched in Scotland in 1901. Personally, I think Irn-Bru tastes like a super sweet cream soda, and is a bit too sweet for my liking. Since 1999 this drink has contained 0.002% ammonium citrate, sugar, 32 flavouring agents, and two controversial colourants. Questionable colourants aside, Irn-Bru is synonymous with Scotland, and it even has its own registered tartan.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky is the national drink of Scotland and is probably the most internationally well known drink on this list. It differs from other whiskies in that it is often made with peated malt which gives it a more smoky, barbeque-like character. Scotch Whisky must be mashed, distilled, and matured in Scotland for at least three years to be given the name.
Buckfast
This caffeinated fortified wine is based on traditional recipe from France. The Benedictine monks at Buckfast Abbey first made this wine in the 1890s as a medicinal beverage. The monks sold Buckfast under the slogan, “three small glasses a day for good health and lively blood”. Today, it is still made with many of the same ingredients. It is dark coloured, very sweet, and easy to drink. Affectionately called “Buckies” this wine is 15% abv, and it is considered by many to be one of the roughest Scottish drinks around. Buckfast also contains a high caffeine content, with each 750mL bottle of Buckfast containing the same amount of caffeine as eight cans of cola. It has been suggested that this high level of caffeine makes Buckfast a stimulant and helps remove inhibitions and self control.
Skipper Rum & Milk
This is the drink of the Hawick Common Riding. The Hawick Common Riding is the first and largest of the border common ridings which celebrate the capture of an English flag in 1514 by a Hawick youth. During the land border wars, it became normal for the lord to select a rider to ride out and ensure that the land borders between England and Scotland were being respected, and that their land was not being encroached upon. In modern times, the riding is a fun summer tradition and a celebration of a border town’s history. The ride culminates in a festival where there are horse races, food, games, and drinks.
It is reputed that milk and rum was given to one of the riders who was feeling under the weather on the morning of the Common Riding. Soon this tradition of drinking rum and milk during the common riding spread to other towns and is still maintained today. The rum of choice for this drink is Skipper Rum which is a buttery toffee-like demerara rum that is distilled in Guyana.
Well there you have it. 5 Interesting “Scottish” Drinks for you to try when you’re in the United Kingdom.
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