Scotch & Coconut

Name: Scotch & Coconut
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 60 ml / 2 oz Peated Islay Scotch Whisky; 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz, or to top Coconut Water

Ingredients Instructions

The Scotch & Coconut is a testament to the magic of simple, well-chosen pairings. It takes the bold, smoky, and peaty flavors of an Islay Scotch and mellows them with the light, sweet, and nutty profile of coconut water. The result is a uniquely refreshing highball that is both intriguing and incredibly easy to drink. It's a modern classic that challenges preconceptions about how Scotch should be enjoyed.

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

This is a modern cocktail, best categorized as a highball. It's a simple, two-ingredient drink that gained popularity in contemporary cocktail bars for its unexpected yet delicious flavor combination.

Serving

Served cold with ice in a tall Highball glass, this is a refreshing and deceptively potent drink. The alcohol content depends on the ratio of Scotch to coconut water.

Serving size

Approx. 210-270 ml / 7-9 oz

Alcohol content

Around 10-14% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Highball

Glass treatment

None

Backstory

The drink was created by Phil Ward at Death & Co. in New York City during the mid-2000s. It was a simple, off-the-cuff creation that quickly became a cult favorite among bartenders and patrons for its brilliant simplicity. The pairing of smoky Scotch and coconut water was unconventional at the time but has since been recognized as a stroke of genius.

Origin

Created in the mid-2000s at the Death & Co. bar in New York City, USA.

Scotch & Coconut

The drink is primarily known as Scotch & Coconut. Some might refer to it as a Coconut Scotch Highball due to its preparation, or Islay & Coconut if specifically using a peated Islay Scotch.

Original name

Scotch & Coconut

Alternative names

Coconut Scotch Highball
Islay & Coconut

Characteristics overview

The aroma is a captivating mix of peat smoke and fresh coconut. The flavor is a balanced dance between the bold smokiness of the Scotch and the gentle sweetness of the coconut water, resulting in a light, refreshing texture.

Flavor

Smoky, peaty, sweet, nutty, tropical, refreshing

Aroma

Smoky, briny, coconut, slightly sweet

Taste balance

Smoky, sweet

Aftertaste

Lingering smoke, clean, light sweetness

Fizziness

Still

Color appearance

Pale, slightly cloudy, whitish-clear

Texture

Light, watery, smooth

Seasonality

Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is moderately sweet with a pronounced smoky character from the Scotch. It's a still, non-creamy drink with a refreshing tropical fruitiness and a gentle alcoholic presence.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This simple highball requires only two key ingredients: a good quality peated Islay Scotch whisky and chilled, unsweetened coconut water.

Peated Islay Scotch Whisky60 ml / 2 oz
A younger, more aggressive Islay Scotch like Laphroaig 10 or Ardbeg Wee Beastie works wonderfully.
Coconut Water120-150 ml / 4-5 oz, or to top
Use fresh, unsweetened coconut water for the best taste.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed beyond a Highball glass and a bar spoon. The drink is built directly in the serving glass.

Highball glass for building and serving
Bar spoon for a gentle stir

Instructions

Preparation is straightforward: build the drink directly in an ice-filled Highball glass by adding Scotch, topping with coconut water, and giving it a quick stir.

1. Fill a Highball glass with ice cubes all the way to the top.

2. Pour in the peated Islay Scotch whisky.

3. Top the glass with chilled coconut water.

4. Give the drink a very gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without over-diluting.

5. If using, express the oils from an orange twist over the surface of the drink and drop it in as a garnish.

Garnishing

While often served without a garnish to appreciate its simplicity, an expressed orange twist can add lovely citrus aromatics that complement the Scotch. A lime wedge is another common and refreshing option.

Orange twist (optional) - Express oils over the drink and drop it in.
Lime wedge (optional) - Squeeze a small amount of juice in and place the wedge on the rim.

Dietary Information

This drink is generally dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan. While distilled Scotch is gluten-free, those with coconut allergies should avoid it.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✕ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie and low-sugar cocktail, with most of its calories coming from the alcohol and natural sugars from the coconut water.

Calories

Averagely 150-180 kcal / 628-753 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 5-8 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 5-8 g

Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect for warm weather, this drink is an excellent choice for a summer barbecue, a relaxing afternoon, or as a refreshing aperitif before a meal. Its simplicity also makes it ideal for casual social gatherings.

Summer afternoon
Casual get-together
Poolside sipping
Pre-dinner drink

Pairing suggestions

The smoky and tropical notes pair wonderfully with grilled seafood and spicy Southeast Asian or Caribbean cuisines. It also works well with simple, salty snacks that can stand up to the peat.

Grilled shrimp or fish
Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes
Jerk chicken
Salty snacks like plantain chips

Scotch & Coconut: The Unlikely Tropical Masterpiece

The Scotch & Coconut is a modern minimalist masterpiece that defies expectations. By combining the intensely smoky character of Islay Scotch with the delicate sweetness of coconut water, it creates a surprisingly harmonious and refreshing highball. It's an easy-to-make, two-ingredient drink that is perfect for summer sipping and for converting skeptics who think peated Scotch can't be used in light cocktails. Its cult status in the craft cocktail world is a testament to its simple genius.