Orange Spiced Old Fashioned

How to Make Orange Spiced Old Fashioned

1. 1

   Step 1: Make the spiced orange simple syrup

   Combine sugar, water, a cinnamon stick, and the orange peel in a small saucepan and bring just to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, reduce heat and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes to infuse the spice and citrus, then remove from heat and let cool; strain out solids and refrigerate until ready to use.

   For this step

   • 1/2 cupGranulated sugar
   • 1/2 cupWater
   • 1 stickCinnamon stick
   • 1 large peelOrange peel (for syrup)
   
2. 2

   Step 2: Measure and build

   Add the bourbon, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the cooled spiced orange simple syrup, and the bitters to a mixing glass. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir gently to chill and slightly dilute the drink, about 20–30 seconds, until well chilled.

   For this step

   • 2 tbspSpiced orange simple syrup (prepared from above)
   • 4 ozBourbon
   • 4 dashAngostura bitters
   
3. 3

   Step 3: Prepare glasses and serve

   Place a large ice cube or two large cubes into each rocks glass. Strain the mixed cocktail evenly into the prepared glasses over the ice, using a julep strainer or fine mesh to keep out any small ice shards.

   For this step

   • 4 cubeIce (large cubes)
   
4. 4

   Step 4: Garnish and finish

   Express an orange peel over each drink by pinching it skin-side down to release the oils, then rub the peel on the glass rim and drop it in. Add a maraschino cherry if desired and serve immediately for a warm-spiced, citrus-scented Old Fashioned.

   For this step

   • 2 stripOrange peel (for garnish)
   • 2 piecesMaraschino cherries (optional)
   

1. Combine sugar, water, a cinnamon stick, and the orange peel in a small saucepan and bring just to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, reduce heat and simmer gently for 3–4 minutes to infuse the spice and citrus, then remove from heat and let cool; strain out solids and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Add the bourbon, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the cooled spiced orange simple syrup, and the bitters to a mixing glass. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir gently to chill and slightly dilute the drink, about 20–30 seconds, until well chilled.
3. Place a large ice cube or two large cubes into each rocks glass. Strain the mixed cocktail evenly into the prepared glasses over the ice, using a julep strainer or fine mesh to keep out any small ice shards.
4. Express an orange peel over each drink by pinching it skin-side down to release the oils, then rub the peel on the glass rim and drop it in. Add a maraschino cherry if desired and serve immediately for a warm-spiced, citrus-scented Old Fashioned.