The Old Fashioned, a timeless whiskey cocktail, gets a festive makeover with this Christmas Old Fashioned recipe. Warm spices like orange, clove, cinnamon, and allspice infuse a rich simple syrup, creating a delightful holiday drink perfect for fireside sipping.
Crafting the Perfect Christmas Old Fashioned
The magic of this cocktail lies in its unique simple syrup. This syrup infuses the classic sweetness with the comforting flavors of Christmas.
The Holiday Spice Syrup
This key ingredient sets the Christmas Old Fashioned apart. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sugar
- Orange juice and peels
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Allspice berries
- Star anise
Combining these ingredients and simmering them creates a fragrant syrup that embodies the essence of the holidays. Find the full recipe for this Christmas Simple Syrup.
Pro Tip: Allow the syrup to cool completely. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more complex and delicious cocktail.
Choosing Your Whiskey
While a high-proof rye whiskey with peppery notes balances the sweetness beautifully, a 95-100 proof bourbon also works wonders. Consider bourbons with flavor profiles that complement the spices, such as those with hints of dried citrus or nuts.
Bitters: The Finishing Touch
Bohemian Bitters, with their aromatic profile, enhance the holiday spices. Smoked Cinnamon Bitters offer another excellent option, adding a smoky depth to the drink. A few dashes of Cardamom bitters can further elevate the complexity of the cocktail.
Mixing Your Christmas Old Fashioned
- Chill your mixing glass: This ensures your cocktail stays cold without over-diluting.
- Combine ingredients: Add 2 oz of your chosen whiskey, ½ oz of Christmas Syrup, and 2 dashes of bitters to the chilled mixing glass.
- Stir, don’t shake: Fill the glass with ice and stir for about 20 seconds to chill and slightly dilute the mixture.
- Strain and serve: Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube.
Garnish: An orange peel and cinnamon stick provide the perfect aromatic and visual finishing touch.
Customizing Your Christmas Old Fashioned
Feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking!
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of spice in the syrup by adding more or less of the individual spices. Omit star anise if you dislike licorice.
- Bitterness: Add extra dashes of bitters, such as cardamom or ginger, for a more bitter cocktail.
- Sweetness: Fine-tune the sweetness by adjusting the amount of syrup.
- Complexity: A pinch of salt or a dash of absinthe can heighten the flavors.
- Fruity Twist: Replace orange with cranberry in the simple syrup for a tart variation, while still retaining the orange peel for a touch of citrus bitterness.
Finding the Perfect Whiskey
When selecting a whiskey for your Christmas Old Fashioned, consider flavor profiles that complement the existing spices. Look for whiskeys with notes of dried fruit, butterscotch, toffee, or even chocolate. A bourbon or rye finished in a port, rum, or sherry cask could also provide a delightful twist.
This Christmas Old Fashioned offers a festive and flavorful way to celebrate the season. Experiment with different whiskeys and bitters to discover your perfect holiday cocktail. Cheers!
