10+ Old Fashioned Recipes Cocktail Ideas to Try at Home

The Old Fashioned cocktail is a simple, classic drink that’s stuck around for ages. People love it for its smooth, rich taste and the way it never really goes out of style.

If you want to make this timeless cocktail at home, it helps to know the basics. Once you get the hang of the main recipe, you can tweak it to match your mood or taste.

An Old Fashioned usually only needs a few key ingredients, so it’s not hard to whip up. You can play around with the sweetness or bitterness until it feels just right.

Here are some different ways to make an Old Fashioned at home.

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Ingredients:

• Bourbon or rye whiskey
• Sugar (or simple syrup)
• Angostura bitters
• Orange peel (for garnish)
• Ice

Cooking Instructions:

1. Put sugar or simple syrup in a glass.
2. Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
3. Muddle the sugar and bitters together.
4. Pour in whiskey and add ice.
5. Stir gently to mix.
6. Garnish with an orange peel twist.

1) Classic Old Fashioned with Bourbon, Sugar, Angostura Bitters, Orange Peel

Start by muddling a sugar cube with a few dashes of Angostura bitters in your glass. This step sweetens the drink and releases some nice flavors.

Add 2 ounces of bourbon—pick any 90-100 proof bottle that you like. Drop in a big ice cube to keep it cold without melting too quickly.

Stir gently. Twist an orange peel over the glass to release the oils and drop it in for garnish.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 sugar cube
• 3-4 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 orange peel
• Ice cube

Cooking Instructions

1. Muddle sugar cube and bitters in a glass.
2. Pour in bourbon.
3. Add a large ice cube.
4. Stir gently for about 20 seconds.
5. Twist orange peel over glass and drop it in.

2) Rye Whiskey Old Fashioned with Cherry Garnish

Switch things up with rye whiskey for a spicier, bolder Old Fashioned. Rye brings a sharper edge to the drink.

Add a few dashes of aromatic bitters to balance out the spice. Use simple syrup for a touch of sweetness.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a twist of orange peel. The cherry pops with color and adds just a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• 1 maraschino cherry
• Orange peel

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine rye whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters in a glass.
2. Add ice and stir gently.
3. Garnish with a cherry and orange peel.
4. Serve immediately.

3) Bourbon Old Fashioned with Simple Syrup and Aromatic Bitters

Pour a bit of simple syrup into your glass. Add a couple dashes of aromatic bitters—this brings out the bourbon’s depth.

Pour in 2 ounces of bourbon over a large ice cube. The big cube keeps things cool without watering everything down.

Stir the mix about a dozen times. This chills the drink and blends the flavors.

Finish with an orange slice or twist for a little citrus aroma.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• ⅛ oz simple syrup
• 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
• Orange slice or twist
• Large ice cube

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour simple syrup into an old-fashioned glass.
2. Add aromatic bitters.
3. Add one large ice cube.
4. Pour bourbon over the ice.
5. Stir gently about 12 times.
6. Garnish with an orange slice or twist.

4) Wisconsin Old Fashioned with Dried Cherries and Black Walnut Bitters

Try the Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned for something a little different. Black walnut bitters give it a nutty, rich flavor.

Muddle dried cherries with sugar to add sweetness and a chewy texture. Garnish with extra cherries and an orange slice for color.

Use bourbon as your base spirit for a smooth finish.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ oz bourbon
• 1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp sugar)
• A few dashes black walnut bitters
• 3-4 dried cherries
• Orange slice (for garnish)
• Ice cubes

Cooking Instructions

1. Muddle sugar, dried cherries, and black walnut bitters in a glass.
2. Add bourbon and ice cubes.
3. Stir gently until chilled.
4. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

5) Old Fashioned with Bourbon Infused Cherry and Orange Slice

Infuse your bourbon with cherries and a fresh orange slice for a richer, fruitier Old Fashioned. The drink stays classic, but the flavor’s got more depth.

Muddle cherries and an orange slice with sugar and a splash of water. Mix in bourbon and bitters. This method lets the fruit flavors shine through.

Fresh ingredients make a difference here. Pour the infused mix over ice and enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4-6 fresh cherries, pitted
• 1 orange slice
• 1 tsp sugar
• A splash of water
• 2 dashes of bitters

Cooking Instructions

1. Muddle cherries, orange slice, sugar, and water in a glass.
2. Add bourbon and bitters.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Fill glass with ice and stir again.
5. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

6) Sparkling Old Fashioned with a Splash of Sparkling Water

Add a splash of sparkling water to give your Old Fashioned some fizz. Muddle sugar, bitters, and an orange slice first.

Pour in bourbon and stir. Add ice, then top with sparkling water for a refreshing, lighter version.

Garnish with a cherry and orange peel if you want to dress it up.

Ingredients

• 1 sugar cube
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 slice orange
• 2 1/2 ounces bourbon
• Splash of sparkling water
• Ice
• Cherry and orange peel for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Muddle sugar, bitters, and orange slice in a glass.
2. Add bourbon and stir well.
3. Fill the glass with ice.
4. Add a splash of sparkling water.
5. Garnish with a cherry and an orange peel.

7) Sazerac-inspired Old Fashioned with Rye and Peychaud’s Bitters

Try a Sazerac-inspired Old Fashioned by using rye whiskey and Peychaud’s bitters. This combo adds a spicy, herbal twist.

Start with a sugar cube and a few dashes of Peychaud’s bitters. Muddle them together, then pour in rye whiskey and stir.

Rinse your glass with a splash of absinthe or anise liqueur before pouring in the drink. Add a lemon twist for garnish.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 oz rye whiskey
• 1 sugar cube
• 3-4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• Absinthe or anise liqueur (a splash for rinsing)
• Lemon twist for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the sugar cube in a mixing glass.
2. Add bitters and a splash of cold water, then muddle until sugar dissolves.
3. Add rye whiskey and ice, then stir well.
4. Rinse your serving glass with absinthe or anise liqueur and discard the excess.
5. Strain the mix into the glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

8) Brown Sugar Old Fashioned with Cinnamon Stick Garnish

Add brown sugar for a cozy, sweet Old Fashioned. The brown sugar pairs nicely with bourbon’s warmth.

Drop in a cinnamon stick for garnish—it smells amazing and adds a gentle spice as you sip. Stirring the brown sugar into the bourbon melts it down for a smooth, flavorful drink.

This one’s perfect for chilly nights or when you want something a bit different.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon water
• 4 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice
• Cinnamon stick (for garnish)
• Orange peel (optional garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine brown sugar, water, and bitters in a glass.
2. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
3. Add bourbon and ice, then stir gently.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange peel if you like.
5. Serve and enjoy your cozy cocktail.

9) Maple Old Fashioned with Maple Syrup instead of Sugar

Swap out sugar for maple syrup in your Old Fashioned for a rich, cozy twist. Maple syrup mixes beautifully with bourbon or rye.

Bitters and an orange peel keep the drink grounded in classic Old Fashioned territory. It’s easy to make and feels perfect for fall or whenever you want something comforting.

Just stir together whiskey, a little maple syrup, and bitters with ice. Finish with a twist of orange peel.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
• 3–4 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel, for garnish
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Add whiskey, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass.

2. Fill the glass with ice and stir for about 20 seconds.

3. Strain into a glass with fresh ice.

4. Twist the orange peel over the drink to release oils, then drop it in.

10) Smoky Old Fashioned with a Dash of Laphroaig Whiskey

If you haven’t tried giving your Old Fashioned a smoky kick, you’re missing out. Just a splash of Laphroaig whiskey adds that signature peat smoke, and it really changes the game.

You still get bourbon’s warmth, but now there’s this bold, campfire note in the background. It doesn’t bulldoze the classic flavor—just makes things more interesting.

Start by muddling a brown sugar cube with bitters.

Add bourbon and a splash of Laphroaig.

Stir gently so the smoky aroma weaves right in.

Garnish with an orange twist, or if you’re feeling fancy, a sprig of rosemary for extra scent.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz Laphroaig whiskey
• 1 brown sugar cube
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange twist or rosemary sprig (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a glass and toss in a brown sugar cube. Splash in some bitters and muddle them together.

2. Pour in the bourbon. Add a bit of Laphroaig whiskey for a smoky kick.

3. Drop in some ice. Give it a gentle stir—don’t overdo it.

4. Finish it off with an orange twist or maybe a rosemary sprig if you’re feeling fancy.