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This Christmas Old Fashioned is the perfect cozy cocktail to settle into long holiday nights. Homemade cardamom infused maple syrup, mixed with warming bourbon, lemon, orange, and bitters. Make it fizzy with a splash of ginger beer to top off each drink. Perfect for cold nights by a cozy fire.
Ingredients
- Pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon stick
- Cardamom pods
- Bourbon
- Lemon juice
- Orange juice
- Maple cardamon syrup
- Bitters
- Ginger beer
- Orange zest and sugared cranberries
The very last Christmas cocktail of 2021! I’ll probably post one more drink for New Years, but today’s the last Christmas drink.
This old fashioned is made for my brother, Brendan. It really is a combo of all of his favorite flavors – and bourbon is his preferred alcohol of choice. He arrives for Christmas today, so I can’t wait to welcome him with a drink I know he’ll love.
It’s a little different, and so delicious.
You can make it extra fancy with a spicy sweet rim and sugared cranberries on top, or keep is simple. Either way it’s going to be well loved by all.
The details
I wanted to infuse the drink with cardamom and maple, so I made a quick spicy syrup. I used real maple syrup, cardamom, and cinnamon.
The spiced maple makes enough for about six drinks, so make this when you have five extra minutes. You’ll then have it all ready to go when people unexpectedly come a knockin.
The drink itself is mixed simply in a rocks glass with fresh squeezed lemon, orange juice, bourbon, and then I love to top each glass off with ginger beer. Yes, it’s not a traditional old fashioned. This is a Christmas old fashion, so it is special.
Make it Special
The sweet rim isn’t a must, but it sure is delicious. A mix of coarse sugar, regular sugar, and cayenne really makes this old fashioned sparkle and feel festive.
Sugared cranberries can be added too, which I love. But again the extras are all up to you!
Just make enough cocktails to go around at least once, and enjoy the season with family and friends.
Looking for other Christmas drinks? Here are my favorites:
Lastly, if you make this Christmas Old Fashioned, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Christmas Old Fashioned
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 1121 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Maple Cardamon Syrup
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- 1 tablespoon cardamom pods, lightly crushed (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom)
Old Fashioned
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) orange juice
- 1-3 tablespoons maple cardamon syrup (ingredients listed above)
- 1-2 dashes bitters
- ginger beer, for topping (optional)
- orange zest and sugared cranberries, for garnish
Instructions
- 1. To make the maple cardamon syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/4 cup water, maple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.If desired, rim your glass (see note). 2. In a rocks glass, gently stir together the bourbon, lemon juice, orange juice, bitters, and 1-3 tablespoons cardamon syrup. Add ice and top off with ginger beer. Garnish with cranberries and an orange slice, if desired.
SUGARED CRANBERRIES
- 1. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups fresh cranberries with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup. Let sit 10-15 minutes. Strain the cranberries, then add them to a parchment lined baking sheet.2. Toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until all the cranberries are coated. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer, for at least one hour.
Notes
Spicy Sweet Rim: On a small plate, mix 1 tablespoon coarse sugar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and a pinch of cayenne. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of your glass and dip into the sugar mix.
Maple Cardamon Old Fashioned Pitcher
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 304 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- 1 tablespoon cardamom pods, lightly crushed (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom)
- 8 ounces (1 cup) bourbon
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) lemon juice
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) orange juice
- 3-4 dashes bitters
- 1/3-1/2 cup maple cardamom syrup (ingredients listed in recipe above)
- 3-4 (12 ounce) cans ginger beer
Instructions
- 1. To make the maple cardamon syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/4 cup water, maple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. 2. In a pitcher, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, orange juice, bitters, and cardamon syrup. Stir to combine, chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice, then top off ginger beer. Garnish with an orange slice, if desired.
This post was originally published on December 18, 2021
I would say if you really like to taste the actual bourbon in old fashioned typically, then this will not be your fav. It’s very punch tasting because there is so much juice. The syrup though is delicious! I am going to make the syrup again and keep it separate from the bourbon and ppl can add as much as they like.
Thanks so much for sharing your feedback Autumn!
Printing shows the pitcher recipe. I want to print this one
Hi Chris,
So sorry about that! I will see if we can get this fixed! I hope you love the recipe!
I was looking for a couple fun cocktails for the holidays and my parents love old fashions so I knew I wanted to try these for Christmas. It was a big hit. My dad said the addition of the ginger beer made the drink.
Hi Kristen,
Awesome!! So glad this recipe was enjoyed by your family, thanks for choosing to make it! Happy New Year!!🎆 xxT
Too much juice. And ginger beer? Not even close to any type of old fashioned. Waste of time
Hi! I am so sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe! Is there anything else I can do to help? xT
Made these for our Christmas party. I’m not a big bourbon fan but these are delicious. Big hit.
Hey Mark,
Fantastic!! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks a bunch for making it! Have the best week!🎄☃️ xT
Yeah that because all of the other stuff washes the bourbon flavor away. People DRINK these to taste bourbon.