Orange Spiced Old Fashioned

Name: Orange Spiced Old Fashioned
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.5 cup Granulated sugar; 0.5 cup Water; 1 stick Cinnamon stick; 1 large peel Orange peel (for syrup); 2 tbsp Spiced orange simple syrup (prepared from above); 4 oz Bourbon; 4 dash Angostura bitters; 4 cube Ice (large cubes); 2 strip Orange peel (for garnish); 2 piece Maraschino cherries (optional)

A cozy citrus-forward twist on the classic Old Fashioned, balancing caramel bourbon with warm spices and bright orange. The spiced orange simple syrup adds seasonal depth, making this cocktail perfect for holiday gatherings or a relaxed evening at home.

0.0(0 reviews)

Prep: 10m · Cook: 5m · Total15 mins

DifficultyEasy

Serves2

AuthorJake

Jake's note

"This version shines when you want a familiar whiskey cocktail with a fragrant seasonal lift. Home bartenders will love how a small batch of syrup elevates multiple drinks without extra work."

Orange Spiced Old Fashioned

This Orange Spiced Old Fashioned takes the caramel warmth of bourbon and threads it through a ribbon of bright citrus and holiday spice, so the result feels familiar yet unexpectedly seasonal. The spiced orange simple syrup—simmered briefly with a cinnamon stick and a fat strip of orange peel—adds a gentle, aromatic sweetness that melds with Angostura bitters to deepen the cocktail rather than flatten it. Because you’re stirring and not shaking, the drink finishes silky and translucent, with the large ice cube tempering the heat of the spirit while keeping dilution slow and controlled.

This version works for anyone who loves a classic Old Fashioned but wants something a touch more aromatic and festive: the orange oils expressed over the glass are the perfume, the cinnamon is the backbone, and the measured syrup lets you dial sweetness precisely. It’s an easy recipe to scale for a small gathering, and the homemade syrup is a tiny investment that repays you with layered flavor for multiple cocktails over the week.

Plan your timing

Enter your target meal time:

6:39 pm–6:43 pm→Make the spiced orange simple syrup

6:43 pm–6:47 pm→Measure and build

6:47 pm–6:51 pm→Prepare glasses and serve

6:51 pm–6:55 pm→Garnish and finish

Ingredients

Yield

Instructions

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

0.5 cupGranulated sugar
0.5 cupWater
1 stickCinnamon stick
1 large peelOrange peel (for syrup)

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

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)

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 pieceMaraschino cherries (optional)

Tips from the kitchen

Don’t boil the syrup

Bring your water and sugar to just a simmer and steep briefly; prolonged boiling drives off volatile orange oils and flattens the flavor.

Use a microplane zest

If you don’t have a vegetable peeler, microplane a thin layer of zest for more intense citrus aroma, avoiding any bitter white pith.

Control dilution with timing

Stir the cocktail 20–30 seconds over large ice to chill and achieve ~20–25% dilution; shorter gives stronger spirit presence, longer softens it further.

Express the peel

Pinch the orange peel skin-side down over the glass to release fragrant oils, then run the rim with the peel to layer aroma and flavor.

Strain syrup well

Pour the cooled syrup through a fine mesh to remove bits of peel and cinnamon shards for a clear, smooth syrup that won’t cloud the drink.

Variations & substitutions

Use demerara sugar

Swap the granulated sugar for demerara or light brown sugar to add molasses notes that complement the bourbon’s caramel qualities.

Rye-spiced twist

Replace bourbon with rye whiskey for a spicier, drier backbone that plays nicely with the orange and cinnamon instead of sweetening it.

Citrus-clove syrup

Add 1–2 whole cloves or a smashed cardamom pod while simmering the syrup for a bolder holiday-spice profile; strain out solids before refrigerating.

Nonalcoholic version

Use a nonalcoholic whiskey alternative or strong brewed black tea with a splash of nonalcoholic bitters and the same syrup for a warmed, spirit-free mocktail.

Storage & make-ahead

Keep the spiced orange simple syrup refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 10–14 days; use clean utensils each time to extend freshness. You can prebottle the un-iced cocktail (bourbon, bitters, syrup mixed) and refrigerate for up to 48 hours, but add ice and stir just before serving to restore proper dilution and chill. Do not freeze the syrup, as freezing dulls the citrus oils and alters texture.

What to serve with it

Serve this cocktail in heavy-bottomed rocks glasses with one large clear ice cube to slow dilution and showcase the drink’s color and aroma. Pair it with savory snacks like candied pecans, aged cheddar, or a charcuterie board with orange-honey glazed cured meats; the citrus-spice notes cut through fat and echo flavors in spiced desserts like gingerbread or an almond tart. For a low-key evening, offer a small bowl of roasted chestnuts or dark chocolate squares alongside each glass.

Frequently asked questions

How sweet is this drink — can I reduce the sugar?

Yes; the recipe uses 2 Tbsp of syrup per serving as a starting point. Reduce to 1–1.5 Tbsp for a drier cocktail, or use a 1:1 syrup instead of sweeter syrups to keep sweetness lower.

Why stir instead of shaking?

Stirring chills and dilutes the spirit while preserving clarity and a silky texture, which is desirable in spirit-forward cocktails like an Old Fashioned; shaking would aerate and cloud the drink.

Can I use store-bought orange juice or marmalade instead of making syrup?

No—juice adds acidity and water that will unbalance the cocktail, while marmalade can introduce pithy bitterness and bits; making a small batch of spiced orange syrup is quick and gives a clean, consistent result.

What whiskey works best here?

Bourbon is the classic for its sweeter, caramel-forward profile, but rye gives a spicier, more assertive contrast to the orange and cinnamon—choose based on whether you want softer or sharper flavors.

Can I add more spice to the syrup?

Yes—additions like a star anise, clove, or a crushed cardamom pod are great, but keep infusion time short (3–6 minutes) and taste as it cools to avoid overpowering bitterness or clove dominance.

About the author

Jake

Hello, I'm Jake. I started this recipe site with the idea that I hated recipe websites that overwhelm you with long stories and ads just to see plain content that's not helpful. My goal is to provide you with quality recipes, simple ideas and a fun cooking experience. There's lots of fun things to cook, and I think as you browse the site you'll find that TopShelf.Recipes is the place for quality recipes on the web.

See all recipes by Jake →

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Ingredients

2 servings

Step 1: Make the spiced orange simple syrup

Granulated sugar0.5 cup
Water0.5 cup
Cinnamon stick1 stick
Orange peel (for syrup)1 large peel

Step 2: Measure and build

Spiced orange simple syrup (prepared from above)2 tbsp
Bourbon4 oz
Angostura bitters4 dash

Step 3: Prepare glasses and serve

Ice (large cubes)4 cube

Step 4: Garnish and finish

Orange peel (for garnish)2 strip
Maraschino cherries (optional)2 piece

Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 1 cocktail (290g)

Calories713

Total Fat20.1g

Saturated Fat3.9g

Trans Fat0g

Polyunsaturated Fat9.7g

Monounsaturated Fat3.9g

Total Carbohydrates131.6g

Dietary Fiber5.5g

Total Sugars62.4g

Protein7.3g

Nutrition values are estimated from USDA ingredient data and may vary based on preparation, brands, and portion sizes. Values are provided for informational purposes only.

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