Ruby Queen Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/30/21
Ruby Queen Scotch Whisky and Beet Juice Cocktail
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
461 Calories
3g Fat
105g Carbs
9g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 461
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 27mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 105g 38%
Dietary Fiber 23g 81%
Total Sugars 49g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 439mg 2,194%
Calcium 210mg 16%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 1387mg 30%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Have you ever wondered if you could mix scotch with beet juice? OK, so it is likely that you haven't but just in case you have ever doubted the versatility of whiskey, allow me to introduce you to the Ruby Queen.

The Ruby Queen recipe was developed by Rob Krueger of Extra Fancy in New York City. The cocktail menu for the Brooklyn bar is filled with drinks that are just as creative as this one, and it seems like patrons could never get bored with the specialties of the house.

Though it is filled with a couple of unusual ingredients, the Ruby Queen is actually quite easy to mix up. You will need to prepare or acquire fresh beet juice and take a few minutes to make a fresh honey syrup.

The surprise comes when you taste just how well scotch works against this sweetened vegetable profile. Most of us would lean toward a more neutral spirit for such a distinct flavor like beets, yet the whisky adds a depth that vodka and gin cannot.

Once all of the ingredients are in hand, simply pour and shake like any other drink and you will have a nice, savory drink that will rival (or replace) any bloody mary on those occasions when you desire something completely out of the norm.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for a Ruby Queen Scotch Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  2. In a cocktail shaker, add the Scotch whisky, beet juice, honey syrup, and lemon juice. Fill with ice.

    Mixing a Ruby Queen Scotch Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  3. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds.

    Shaking a Ruby Queen Scotch Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  4. Fine-strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    Straining a Ruby Queen Scotch Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  5. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill or tarragon and a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy.

    Ruby Queen Scotch Whisky and Beet Juice Cocktail
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

How to Make Honey Syrup

Honey syrup is a fantastic way to sweeten any drink and it is very easy to make at home. It replaces the sugar in a standard simple syrup with sweet honey and simply combines it with water. Just like simple syrup, honey syrup can also be flavored to add a little dimension. To make honey syrup, combine 3 parts honey and 1 part water, mixing together until the honey is incorporated. Mix up as little or as much as you like. With a big batch put it in a small saucepan over low heat to help speed things up and let it cool completely before using.

Tips

  • The best Ruby Queen uses fresh beet juice. Most electric juicers will make short work of the root vegetable and create a luscious, thick red juice in just minutes. There are ways to make it without a juicer as well.
  • The alternative is to buy bottled beet juice. It's sometimes mixed with fruits and vegetables and those blends work rather well in this drink.
  • Whether or not you juice your own beets, it would be a shame to use anything other than fresh lemon juice in this cocktail. The citrus balance is needed to make the drink more enjoyable and it is difficult to find that in any of the prepared lemon juices. Lemons are cheap and juicing them is easy, so fresh is always the best route.
  • It is always tempting to skip the garnish in cocktails, particularly if you are just making the drink for yourself at home. The Ruby Queen is one of those cocktails in which the garnish is essential. A lone sprig of dill or tarragon will slowly infuse an herbal aspect into the beet and whiskey mix that is needed to obtain the balance and bring the cocktail to a level of greatness. Basil and rosemary are good alternatives.

How Strong Is the Ruby Queen?

The Ruby Queen is a very tame and enjoyable cocktail. When made with 80 proof Scotch whisky, the final drink comes out at right around 13 percent ABV (26 proof).

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