First and foremost, the Rusty Nail is a stone-cold classic dating back about 100 years. The cocktail gained traction in the late 1950s leading into the Rat Pack peak era of the early 1960s.

A simple cocktail that combines Scotch and Drambuie liqueur, the Rusty Nail was one of Frank Sinatra's favorite drinks. Here's what we know about its history.

Yes, the Rusty Nail as it is normally conceived—scotch and Drambuie, either 2:1 or even equal parts (God forbid), served on ice without garnish or bitters—is two-dimensional and oversweet.