The Scotch Cocktail Named For A Silent Film

There was a time when drinking scotch meant imbibing it straight, without any adornments such as ice, or a twist. And forget about including it in a mixed drink. As noted by Whiskey Advocate, those days are thankfully over, and long live the days of scotch cocktails. If you've never tried this specific spirit, you may be unsure how scotch differs from whiskey. According to MasterClass, scotch is made from malted barley or other grains, and what sets it apart from other types of whiskey is the location where it's made, namely in Scotland.

One scotch cocktail in particular has a unique name and a somewhat glamorous origin story. The Blood and Sand cocktail is a drink made with scotch and citrus, and although the full history of the drink is murky, some believe the cocktail's moniker originated from a 1920s silent movie about a bullfighter of the same name, per The Spruce Eats.

As reported by Liquor, the recipe first appeared in "The Savoy Cocktail Book" by Harry Craddock, which was published in 1930, but it's unclear whether Craddock invented the drink or just simply included it in his book. But, let's get back to the film that the drink draws its name from and what some people believe is the drink's timeline of creation. According to Taste Cocktails, some say the drink was created in 1922 after a silent movie.

The "Blood and Sand" movie, as reported by IMDb, is a film based on what happens when a toreador has his family and social life threatened after he has an affair. Despite the rather violent-sounding name, the drink's recipe includes decidedly lighter and delicious ingredients. The drink recipe is detailed in Difford's Guide, and the Blood and Sand cocktail is made from scotch, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth, freshly squeezed orange juice, and is garnished with an orange peel. So, the next time you're looking for a drink made with scotch and one that has a slightly colorful history, try ordering a Blood and Sand cocktail.