A Christmas Old Fashioned blends the classic cocktail with festive flavors, featuring bourbon, bitters and a hint of maple cranberry syrup. Garnished with cranberries and a cinnamon, it’s a cozy drink perfect for holiday celebrations.
When it comes to the holidays, who doesn't love a good cocktail? From a gingerbread martini to a cranberry mimosa to a white chocolate martini.
But why not really embrace Christmas. And that's where this classic cocktail comes into play. Everybody loves an old fashioned and this Christmas-themed cocktail has the basics but kicks it up a notch with a cranberry maple syrup to bring out those holiday flavors.
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Why You Will Love This Cocktail
- Combines the smoothness of bourbon with festive hints of orange, cinnamon and cranberries.
- You can easily adjust sweetness, alcohol content and garnishes to suit your preferences.
- Embraces the holidays with its look and flavors.
Ingredient Notes
- Maple syrup - Rich and sweet, providing the base sweetness to the syrup.
- Water - Used to thin the syrup for better mixing.
- Cinnamon stick - Infuses warm, spicy notes to the cranberry maple syrup and can also be used as a garnish.
- Fresh cranberries - Adds a tart and fruity element, enhancing the sweetness of the syrup with a hint of cranberry flavor. Also used as a garnish if desired.
- Bourbon - Opt for a high-quality bourbon or rye whiskey to enhance the overall flavor profile. My go-to is Eagle Rare but use your favorite.
- Orange bitters - Offers a citrusy zest that brightens the cocktail.
- Angostura bitters: A concentrated aromatic flavoring agent made from a secret blend of herbs and spices, renowned for its ability to add depth and complexity to cocktails.
Ingredient Swaps
As with any recipe, you can change up the ingredients if need. Some substitutes include:
- Instead of maple syrup, you can use honey.
- Cherries or raspberries make a good substitute for cranberries.
- Try a different type of whiskey such as Scotch, Irish whiskey or even a smoky mezcal for a unique flavor profile.
How to Make a Christmas Old Fashioned
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, water, cinnamon stick, and cranberries. Heat over medium, stirring until the mixture bubbles and cranberries pop. Smash the cranberries, then strain into a jar and cool.
Step 2: In a rocks glass, mix cranberry maple syrup, orange bitters, and Angostura bitters. Add bourbon and stir gently. Fill the glass with ice, then garnish with cranberries, orange peel and rosemary if desired.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the cranberry maple syrup in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. This makes it easy to whip up the cocktail any time during the holiday season.
You can use a store-bought cranberry syrup or make a simple syrup by combining equal parts cranberry juice and maple syrup. For a quicker option, use honey instead of maple syrup along with a splash of cranberry juice.
Use less cranberry maple syrup or opt for a drier whiskey. You can also reduce the amount of sweet garnishes like cranberries and orange peel to keep the drink on the less sweet side.
And if you like a sweeter cocktail, add a bit more of the syrup.
You want to stir this cocktail. If shaken, it will add additional liquid from the melting ice.
You can prepare a large batch of cranberry maple syrup and mix it with bourbon and bitters in advance. Just serve over ice when ready to drink.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use a bourbon you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- Prepare the syrup ahead of time for easy party preparation.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of cranberry maple syrup. Start with a half-ounce and taste before adding more if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.
- Use large cubes of ice so it melts slower. Big cubes melt slowly and allow you to enjoy the taste of a spirit before it gets watered down.
Other Recommended Cocktails
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Christmas Old Fashioned
Ingredients
Cranberry Maple Syrup
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ⅓ cup fresh cranberries
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, water, cinnamon stick and cranberries. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture starts to bubble and the cranberries begin to pop.
- Gently smash the cranberries berries with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and strain through a mesh strainer into a jar. Set aside to cool.
- In a rocks glass, add the cranberry maple syrup, orange bitters and Angostura bitters. Pour in the bourbon and stir gently to combine. Place a large ice cube or several smaller cubes into the glass.
- Garnish with cranberries, orange peel and rosemary if desired.
Notes
- Use a bourbon you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- Prepare the syrup ahead of time for easy party preparation.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of cranberry maple syrup. Start with a half-ounce and taste before adding more if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.
- Use large cubes of ice so it melts slower. Big cubes melt slowly and allow you to enjoy the taste of a spirit before it gets watered down.
Dennis says
This was a hit at our party!
Ryan says
Glad you enjoyed!