Burns Night, Haggis, and a Glass in Hand
- Erin
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
Burns Night, celebrated on 25 January, marks the birthday of national poet, Robert Burns and is traditionally observed with haggis, poetry, and a shared glass. For me, Burns Night isn’t about formality or getting everything “right”. It’s about good food, strong flavours, familiar words, and a chance to gather round a table in the middle of a cold, and sometimes quiet part of winter and enjoy ourselves. Haggis, in particular, is one of those dishes that demands attention. Rich, spiced, and unapologetic. If you’re going to serve it, you need a drink that can stand up alongside it.
That’s where this brilliant cocktail using our Mikkelmas Gin jumps in - and trust me, it jumps!
The Seven Seas
It’s one of those drinks that surprises people - and then immediately makes sense once you taste it.
Haggis is all about spice, warmth and depth, and the Seven Seas mirrors that beautifully. The cardamom and cinnamon notes from Mikkelmas, the gentle heat from chilli, and the herbal backbone all echo what’s happening on the plate, while the cucumber and citrus keep everything fresh and balanced.
The idea behind it is simple and slightly playful: seven components, all beginning with the letter C, coming together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
The Seven Seas
60ml Mikkelmas (cardamom & cinnamon notes)
30ml Cucumber juice
30ml Lemon juice (citrus)
15ml Ancho Reyes Rojo (chilli liqueur)
15ml Green Chartreuse
Crushed ice
Garnish: Dried chilli and cucumber
If you’re sitting down to haggis on Burns Night, this is the drink I’d pour afterwards. It doesn’t fight the food - it joins in.
Did you know?
Robert Burns was born in 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, and wrote much of his poetry in Scots, not “proper” English - which is one of the reasons it still feels so alive.
Burns wasn’t just a poet — he was also a farmer, taxman, and prolific letter writer.
Sadly, Robert Burns never celebrated a Burns night. This tradition only began 5 years after his death.
“Auld Lang Syne” wasn’t written from scratch by Robert Burns - he said he was simply writing down an old song he’d heard, helping preserve something that might otherwise have been lost.
Haggis is much older than Burns. He didn’t invent it - he just gave it poetry, pride and a very dramatic entrance.
Haggis was once considered practical, everyday food, not a ceremonial dish. Burns Night is what turned it into the star of the table.
The famous Address to a Haggis is written in Scots and ends with the haggis being cut open at exactly the right moment - one of the few times timing matters quite so much with supper.
The warming spices in haggis are why spiced, herbal drinks work so well alongside it — they echo what’s already on the plate rather than fighting it.
Our next cocktail is the opposite of the Seven Seas. For when the atmosphere shifts from noise and excitement to gentle chats, and relaxing by the fire - our Orkney Vodka takes centre stage.
The Wild Boar — A Softer Orcadian Moment
While Burns Night may come from mainland Scotland, we still like to bring things back to Orkney where we can. The Wild Boar does exactly that, using our Orkney Vodka as the base.
This cocktail is a bit gentler - silky, rounded, and quietly indulgent. It’s ideal once the plates are cleared and things slow down, or if you’re not feeling the spice but still want something special in your glass.
The Wild Boar
60ml Orkney Vodka
30ml Lemon juice
15ml Vanilla syrup
15ml Limoncello
Egg white or vegan alternative
Garnish: Vanilla pod
It’s smooth, comforting, and very much our style.
Tradition, But Make It Your Own
That’s the thing with Burns Night - you don’t have to be overly formal or overly patriotic to enjoy it. Even here in Orkney, where we happily enjoy both our Scottish and Scandinavian roots, we can still appreciate good food, good words, and a well-made drink.
If you’re marking Burns Night this year, do it your way. Cook something hearty, pour something thoughtful, and share it with people you enjoy being around.
And if you’re looking for inspiration:
You can find more cocktail ideas using our spirits over on the website
Explore serves featuring Orkney Gin, Orkney Vodka, and seasonal favourites
Or pop a bottle on the table and keep it simple - that works too
However you celebrate, raise a glass and enjoy it.
Cheers - From Orkney Gin Company.
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