The winning hand is in a glass filled with whisky, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice. Bet it all on a Royal Flush!
I love Canada. I’ve never been there, though. Is that weird? I don’t think so.
There’s a German word, fernweh, which roughly translates to farsickness or longing for unseen places. We’ve all felt this. Who hasn’t watched The Lord of the Rings and wished they were a hobbit, drinking ale, and tending to the gardens of a far, green country (like New Zealand)? It can’t just be me.
My folks introduced my siblings and me to the joys of SCTV, a Canadian sketch comedy show akin to Saturday Night Live. From the first moment we saw John Candy as Angel Cortez, FBI Jockey, we were in love. It’s a love that has lasted, unabated, to this day. Legendary funny people like Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin made us double over with peals of uncontrollable laughter. And the late, great Joe Flaherty as Duard Weese, who will drive you home if you’re drunk. Do yourself a favor… make a Royal Flush cocktail tonight and start looking these things up on YouTube. You’re welcome, by the way.
And SCTV is just the tip of the Canadian iceberg. As a young child I would watch the TV show Pinwheel on Nickelodeon. Filmmaker David Cronenberg, classic rock band Rush, and one of my all-time favorite movies, Heavy Metal… all hail from those northern lands. The cocktail we’re looking at tonight also has its roots there. A multitude of whiskeys from all over the world have a solid reputation, especially Irish, American, and Japanese varieties. Canada has its own blends that have been on the market for years but nobody seems to talk about them. So let’s change that!
The Royal Flush cocktail, which sounds like it would have its origins in the casinos of Las Vegas, actually derives its name from the base spirit that was used in its creation… Crown Royal whisky, a smooth and creamy Canadian blend. Combined with peach schnapps and cranberry juice, this mixture results in a sharp and easy-to-sip tipple with fruity notes, providing you with the perfect late-night treat as you relax in front of the television. I’ll sip on one of these and dream of Canada. I’ve not been there yet, but this cocktail has brought me closer.
What is the Best Whisky to Use in a Royal Flush?
Because of its name, a Royal Flush is meant to be made with Crown Royal whisky, a Canadian spirit. (Canadian whisky, by the way, is referred to there as rye. And while we’re on the topic, when referring to the Canadian tipple, we drop the ‘e’ and spell it ‘whisky’.) If you can’t get a hold of a bottle, any standard mid-shelf whisky will do just fine. If you want a more smoky and complex drink, add bourbon instead.
Ingredients
- 1 oz peach schnapps
- 1 1/2 oz Canadian whisky
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass (a.k.a. a rocks glass) with ice cubes to chill.
- Pour peach schnapps, whisky, and cranberry juice into the glass over the ice.
- Stir the mixture gently until well combined and chilled.
- Serve the drink immediately, enjoying the blend of sweet and tart flavors.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
An ice-filled lowball glass is all you need to enjoy a Royal Flush. But if you’re the garnishing type, a maraschino cherry, lemon/orange twist, lime wedge, peach slice (to complement the schnapps), and/or cranberries will work. For that last one, you can use either fresh or sugared.
You can store the ingredients together in an airtight container for a few days in your fridge, then shake before pouring out individual servings over ice.
At 205 calories, the Royal Flush will fill you up faster than you might think if you have more than one.
Similar Drinks to the Royal Flush
- Godfather – You can enjoy this cocktail while watching the film… or the SCTV sketch. All three are genius.
- Whiskey Smash – Minty, sweet and tart, the Whiskey Smash will crush your thirst.
- Whiskey Sour – This classic tipple is a legendary drink for a reason. Add it to your arsenal with our delicious recipe.
- Whiskey Highball – Simple, refreshing, and awesome, this old-school drink is guaranteed to please.
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