What is a substitute for simple syrup in an Old Fashioned?

If you're looking for a simple syrup substitute, there are three favorites you probably have right in your home: honey, maple syrup and agave . For honey or agave, add warm water to them, to help turn the mix to syrup. You can also use a sweet, juicy fruit, like an orange.

What is the best syrup for old fashioneds?

The Burnt Sugar Syrup is our secret ingredient for the best Old Fashioned you've ever had. Made from Pure Cane Syrup and thrice-filtered water, this syrup is a great gift for the Bourbon connoisseur in your life, the want-to-be mixologist or keep it for yourself.

What is a classic Old Fashioned made of?

In a mixing glass, stir together two ounces of bourbon, whiskey or rye, rich simple syrup, and Angostura bitters . Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube, and garnish with an orange peel and/or a maraschino cherry, if desired.

Is an Old Fashioned better with simple syrup or sugar cube?

Use Rich Simple Syrup The sugar cube is one Old Fashioned tradition that can definitely be skipped. While many recipes call for it, it offers no advantage over using a rich simple syrup and has several disadvantages. Most obviously, you have to find and buy sugar cubes and a muddler.

What is the best alcohol to make an Old Fashioned with?

The old fashioned is a classic co*cktail that was invented in Louisville, KY. You can make it with bourbon, rye, or a blended whiskey . You can also substitute one sugar cube for the simple syrup.

What ingredients are in bitters?

What are Bitters Made of? Bitters are a neutral alcohol infused with spices, herbs, fruits, roots, and other ingredients. Common ingredients include cinchona bark, gentian root, cascarilla, orange peel, and others . Most bitters are 35 to 45% ABV (alcohol by volume), so they have a relatively high alcohol content.

Is store bought simple syrup the same as homemade?

For one, retail simple syrups have a much higher sugar content than the traditional recipe to keep them shelf stable . So they will be too sweet for most co*cktails recipes - certainly all the ones on this site - and you'll have to adjust the amounts.

Can I just use sugar instead of simple syrup?

One teaspoon of granulated white sugar equals about 1.5 teaspoons of simple syrup . If your recipe calls for a teaspoon of simple syrup, you might want to drop in only about two-thirds of a teaspoon of the granulated variety. You can always add more sugar, but you can't take it back out.

How many dashes of bitters are in an Old Fashioned?

An Old Fashioned calls for two to three dashes of bitters—no more, no less—that are added to the glass once the sugar or simple syrup is in. While the amount seems small, having too many or too few dashes can dramatically change the taste makeup of the drink. The type and quality of bitters matters too.

What whiskey goes best in Old Fashioned?

Best Overall Bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Old Grand Dad 114 Old Grand Dad 114 earns our distinction of the best bourbon for old fashioned. Orange zest, cinnamon, and burnt sugar are the signature tasting notes of Old Grand Dad 114 Proof .

Should an Old Fashioned be made with whiskey or bourbon?

Consequently, some traditionalists insist an Old-Fashioned should be made with rye, but bourbon is equally correct and the choice of whiskey should be entirely up to the personal taste of the drinker. Bourbon makes a mellow, slightly sweeter drink, while rye adds more spice and kick.

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (2024)

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If you love a good Old Fashioned, you are going to adore this from scratch Old Fashioned Mix! This mixer makes stirring up an old fashioned co*cktail easy anytime, plus it makes a great gift for a co*cktail lover.

Old Fashioned Mix

We love making and drinking Old Fashioneds, but it can be time consuming to make one drink at a time stirring sugar and bitters, water and ice, a little bit of cherry juice and just the right essence of orange...you get the point. It's a simple co*cktail but this pre-mixed base makes it even easier to enjoy or serve to guests.

Old fashioneds are great paired with something savory like baked brie, bacon wrapped little smokies, or even hot blue cheese dip. We love mixing them up for holidays, a weekend in the mountains or just a random date night!

Old Fashioned Mix Ingredients

A traditional Old Fashioned calls for sugar, water, bitters, bourbon and orange. I took a few liberties with our mixer to make it more custom to the flavors I enjoy in my Old Fashioned.

Sugar -I use the combination of brown sugar and white granulated sugar but you can use all white if you want to be a bit more traditional.
Water -This is needed to create the simple syrup.
Oranges -I love the flavor of orange in this mixer!
Cherries -I only recommend using Luxardo Maraschino cherries or Amarena Cherries! Do not use classic red maraschinos. You will be missing out on the deep cherry flavor.
Cinnamon -Adding one or two cinnamon sticks to your mix is such a delicious way to add even more flavor!
Bitters - Angostura bitters are traditional in an Old Fashioned and you can use their classic aromatic bitters or orange bitters for this.

How to Make Old Fashioned Mix

Make the Syrup - Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook just until sugar is dissolved and remove from heat.
Muddle - Add in cherries and gently muddle to release any juices. (note: I've tried this recipe multiple times and prefer not to muddle the oranges. This dilutes the syrup.)
Steep - Add in oranges, and cinnamon stick. Cover and cool to room temperature.

4. Strain - Strain the syrup to remove all of the fruit and cinnamon sticks.
5. Bitters - Stir in the bitters and chill.

How to Store Old Fashioned Mix

Old Fashioned Mix can be stored in a glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. It would probably be fine at room temperature for a shorter amount of time but I alway air on the side of caution and refrigerate, so that is my recommendation for storage.

Possible Substitutions

Sugar - you can use all white sugar instead of a mix of brown and white if you want a more traditional flavor. I personally love the subtle molasses flavor brown sugar brings to this mix.
Spices - Agostura bitters has clove and cinnamon in it so adding more cinnamon sticks or even whole cloves boosts those spice notes. You can also add star anise which would make this blend very delicious as well.
Vanilla - I love the combination of vanilla and bourbon. Try adding a split, whole vanilla bean for a delicious vanilla spice mix.
Bitters - use whatever flavor of bitters you like! Aromatic, orange, even chocolate bitters are all delicious.

Gifting Old Fashioned Mix.

Homemade old fashioned mix is the perfect gift for a co*cktail lover! This recipe makes 3 cups of mix, which is about 24 oz. so you have enough to gift and to keep a little for yourself. I like to use these Ball Jars for gifting and I think they perfect tied simply with a piece of velvet ribbon.

I recently created a gift basket with a jar of this mix, a small bottle of bourbon, oranges, a jar of cherries, ice cube molds and a couple of holiday co*cktail glasses. It really is the ultimate gift for anyone who enjoys making craft co*cktails!

Old Fashioned Drink Recipe

Once the mix is made and chilled, you are all ready to mix an old fashioned! Add one ounce of mixer to a rocks glass, a large ice cube, 2 ounces of your favorite Bourbon, and give it all good stir. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry. Cheers!

More Recipes for Bourbon Lovers

Old Fashioned Bourbon Balls
Bourbon Brown Sugar Cakes
Bourbon Cranberry Jello
Spiced Pear Bourbon co*cktail
Bourbon Maple Cider
Halloween Old Fashioned

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix

Yield: 24 oz

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 oranges, quartered
5 Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
2 cinnamon sticks
2 Tablespoons Angostura Bitters, either aromatic bitters or orange bitters

Instructions

In a sauce pan combine the brown sugar, white sugar and water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, then reduce the heat and cook just until the sugar is dissolved completely.
Remove from heat. Add the cherries and muddle slightly with a wooden spoon or co*cktail muddler.
Add the oranges, and cinnamon sticks and cover, allowing the fruit and cinnamon sticks to steep until the mixture is completely cooled. I usually leave mine to sit on the stove-top for about 2 hours to bring it to room temperature. Note: You can steep longer if you have time. I've even steeped overnight and the flavor was even better.
Strain the mixture to remove all fruit and cinnamon sticks.
Stir in the bitters and pour into glass jars. Cover tightly and refrigerate until read to use.

Notes

I only recommend using Luxardo Maraschino cherries or Amarena Cherries! Do not use classic red maraschinos. You will be missing out on the deep cherry flavor.

Angostura bitters are traditional in an Old Fashioned and you can use their classic aromatic bitters or orange bitters for this.

Cinnamon is not classic in an Old Fashioned so you can leave it out if you like. I enjoy the added flavor and will add 1-2 sticks depending on my mood. During the holidays, I add two.