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 cocktail easy anytime, plus it makes a great gift for a cocktail lover.

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (1)

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 cocktail 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!

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (2)

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.

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (3)

How to Make Old Fashioned Mix

  1. 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.
  2. 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.)
  3. Steep - Add in oranges, and cinnamon stick. Cover and cool to room temperature.

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (4)

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

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (5)

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.

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (6)

Gifting Old Fashioned Mix.

Homemade old fashioned mix is the perfect gift for a cocktail 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 cocktail glasses. It really is the ultimate gift for anyone who enjoys making craft cocktails!

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (7)

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!

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (8)

More Recipes for Bourbon Lovers

  • Old Fashioned Bourbon Balls
  • Bourbon Brown Sugar Cakes
  • Bourbon Cranberry Jello
  • Spiced Pear Bourbon Cocktail
  • Bourbon Maple Cider
  • Halloween Old Fashioned
Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (9)

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

A homemade cocktail mixer for making Old Fashioned Cocktails.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Remove from heat. Add the cherries and muddle slightly with a wooden spoon or cocktail muddler.
  3. 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.
  4. Strain the mixture to remove all fruit and cinnamon sticks.
  5. 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.
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield: 24Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving:Calories: 82Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 18gProtein: 0g

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    Homemade Old Fashioned Mix Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make bulk Old Fashioned? ›

    Directions
    1. Using a funnel, add entire contents of bourbon or rye bottle to an empty sealable 1-liter bottle. Add simple syrup, bitters, and water and seal. Shake well to mix and refrigerate until ready to serve.
    2. To serve, fill glasses with ice, if desired. Pour 2 to 3 ounces per glass.

    How to calculate batch cocktails? ›

    This is just simple math. Multiply your recipe by the number of servings you would like. A good place to start is to change the unit of measurement from ounces to cups, this will multiply it by eight. Remember to take into account how large the recipe is compared to the size of your glasses.

    How many dashes of bitters are in 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 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.

    How many times should an Old Fashioned be stirred? ›

    Chocolate or walnut bitters work well in this drink if you can find them. I also like Dale DeGroff's pimento bitters. Technique: The most balanced Old Fashioned is made by stirring the drink with ice for about 20 to 30 seconds and then straining that mix over fresh ice. Garnish: Orange twist, lemon twist, or both.

    What is the formula for cocktail mix? ›

    The 2-1-1 Cocktail Formula

    The ratio refers to 2 ounces of spirit, 1 ounce of sweet, and 1 ounce of sour. Here we've provided examples of each element, but keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive: Spirits: Aperol, campari, gin, mezcal, rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey, wine, etc.

    What is the cocktail formula? ›

    So what IS the cocktail equation? Drum roll please…. These numbers represent the cocktail ratio—or “parts” in bartending terms—of your ingredients. Two parts base spirit to one part sweet to one part sour.

    How much dilution is in an old fashioned? ›

    While your old-fashioneds get frosty, reflect on just how easy that was. Now that you know how to batch a stirred cocktail, you can do the same thing with Manhattans, Negronis, martinis, and all their many variations and relatives. Simply multiply your cocktail recipe by eight and add ½ cup of water to dilute.

    What is the best liquor for an Old Fashioned? ›

    The Best Type of Whiskey for an Old Fashioned

    The Old Fashioned template is simple and broad enough that it will work with almost any style of whiskey. With that said, bourbon is often the go-to whiskey choice for an Old Fashioned.

    Can you skip bitters in Old Fashioned? ›

    If you prefer to be more heavy-handed on the bitters, I won't get mad at you). Try making an Old Fashioned without bitters though, and you just have a glass of whiskey with some sugar in it (who wants that?) It's a small ingredient in terms of proportion but bitters essentially make an Old Fashioned, an Old Fashioned.

    Do you muddle the cherry in an Old Fashioned? ›

    Some bartenders drop in a slice of orange or a cherry right before serving, and others will muddle the fruit into the drink; sometimes it's served with no fruit at all.

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

    The old fashioned is a classic cocktail 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.

    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.

    Should an Old Fashioned be shaken or stirred? ›

    DO NOT shake an Old Fashioned, always stir it. This has nothing to do with temperature but everything to do with texture. Shaking it will add air and water, diluting the cocktail too quickly. Since the drink is primarily spirit, all you have to do is gently stir with ice, allowing for a smooth, velvety texture.

    What is the difference between Old Fashioned and Old Fashioned? ›

    The term you are looking for is 'old-fashioned'. The hyphen is needed because 'old' and 'fashioned' go together to make a single word meaning 'of days gone by'. 'Old fashioned' could be used if you want to describe something that was 'fashioned' (made) and is now old.

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