Blood and Sand

The Blood and Sand is one of only a few classic concoctions that use Scotch as a base. When made with a softer blend or single-malt, it's a great first step for Scotch skeptics. This cocktail takes its name from the 1922 Rudolph Valentino film by the same name; though some people also attribute the name to the colors of the ingredients. The Blood and Sand first appeared in print in 1930 in Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book. The complex balance of smoky and fruity flavors at play in this drink is actually relatively flexible and can be adapted to the taste of the drinker by varying ingredients. For something a little bolder, try a smoky Islay Scotch instead. The flavors pair surprisingly well.