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Home » Drinks & Cocktails » Cocktails » Bourbon & Whiskey Cocktails

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This brown sugar old fashioned is a cozy, fall cocktail that is easy to make. Made with a homemade brown sugar, cinnamon and maple simple syrup. Mixed with bourbon whiskey and a twist of orange peel.

Overhead view of a brown sugar old fashioned cocktail garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange peel.

This cocktail is a spin on the classic old fashioned cocktail. For other old fashioned variations, try this pineapple old fashioned or this chocolate old fashioned.

For other whiskey bourbon drinks, try this bourbon rosemary cocktail, this blackberry bourbon smash or this blood orange whiskey sour.

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  • Recipe Highlights
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Make Ahead & Storage
  • Expert Tips
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe
Brown sugar bourbon drink garnished with a cinnamon stick and an orange peel.

Recipe Highlights

  • Brown Sugar + Maple + Bourbon. The combination of flavors in this drink perfectly complement each other.
  • It’s made with homemade syrup. The syrup, similar to this brown sugar simple syrup, is made with basic ingredients you probably already have. It tastes authentic without any adding artifical flavoring.
  • It’s the perfect fall & winter cocktail. The flavors in this drink make it a great drink to serve when it is starting to get chilly outside.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Overhead view of the ingredients needed to make the cocktail.
  • Bourbon Whiskey: Use your favorite type of bourbon whiskey. You can also substitute this with a dark rum instead.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is used to make the simple syrup. When melted, it adds a rich, slightly caramel flavor.
  • Maple Syrup: Use pure authentic maple syrup for the best flavor.
  • Cinnamon: A dash of cinnamon blends well with the brown sugar and maple syrup in the simple syrup.
  • Angostura Bitters: All old fashioned cocktails are made with a few dashes of bitters. You can use classic Angostura bitters, or you can experiment with orange or chocolate bitters.
  • Orange Peel: An orange peel is twisted into the cocktail to add a slightly citrus flavor.

Equipment

  • A small pan to make the brown sugar simple syrup.
  • A peeler to peel a slice of orange peel for garnish.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and water together on a pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally. Continue to heat for about 5 minutes until the sugar has fully dissolved. Don’t let the syrup boil.

Step 2: Add the syrup to a cocktail glass filled with ice. Then add the bourbon whiskey and dashes of bitters.

Collage of photos illustrating steps 1 and 2.

Step 3: Stir the cocktail to mix the ingredients together. Twist an orange peel into the glass. Enjoy!

Process photo showing the cocktail ingredients being mixed together with a metal spoon.

Make Ahead & Storage

This old fashioned is best served fresh and it is best not to make this drink ahead of time.

However, you can make the brown sugar simple syrup in advance. This makes assembling the cocktail faster when you are ready to serve it.

To store the brown sugar syrup, let it fully cool to room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

An old fashioned cocktail on a wooden coaster with a dark background.

Expert Tips

  • The syrup should have a liquid consistency. Simple syrup should be mostly liquid. If it is too thick, it will not mix as well in the drink.
  • Serve in a small glass. Old fashioned drinks don’t contain a lot of liquid since they are so strong. Serve them in smaller glasses so it looks like the glass is fuller.
  • Make it a double. Regular old fashioned drinks tend to have 2 oz of bourbon. For a drink of equivalent strength, double this recipe.
  • Add a splash of soda or water. Some people like to add a small splash of club soda or still water after the ingredients have been mixed together.
  • Reduce the sweetness. If you prefer this drink to taste slightly stronger, use only a ½ oz of brown sugar syrup instead.

FAQ

Why is the simple syrup so thick?

If the syrup was boiled for too long or at too high a temperature, too much water will evaporate and it will end up too thick. The syrup should be a liquid consistency.

What can I use instead of Angostura bitters?

If you don’t have Angostura bitters, use another flavor of bitters. If you don’t have any type of bitters, use ⅛ teaspoon of Campari or Amaro.

Eye level view of the cocktail on a dark brown metal table with a bottle of bourbon in the background.
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📖 Recipe

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Overhead view of a brown sugar old fashioned cocktail garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange peel.

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned


  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 8 minutes
  • Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This brown sugar old fashioned is a cozy fall cocktail that is easy to make. Made with a homemade brown sugar, cinnamon and maple simple syrup.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Brown Sugar Syrup
    • 3 tbsp brown sugar
    • 2 tbsp water
    • ½ tbsp maple syrup
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • Brown Sugar Old Fashioned
    • 1 oz bourbon
    • 1 oz brown sugar syrup
    • 2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
    • 1 x 1-inch orange peel

Instructions

  1. Heat the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and water together on a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to heat the syrup, stirring occasionally until the brown sugar has fully dissolved. Don’t let the syrup boil. Remove the syrup from the stove and let it cool for a few minutes.
  2. Add the brown sugar simple syrup and bourbon whiskey to a cocktail glass filled with ice. Next add the dashes of bitters. Stir well to mix all the ingredients together.
  3. Twist the orange peel over the drink, and add it in as garnish. Enjoy responsibly!

Notes

  • The syrup should have a liquid consistency. Simple syrup should be mostly liquid. If it is too thick, it will not mix as well in the drink.
  • Storage: To store the brown sugar syrup, let it fully cool to room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Cocktail
  • Calories: 137
  • Sugar: 19g
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 19g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: bourbon cocktail, whiskey cocktail, old fashioned

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

More Bourbon & Whiskey Cocktails

  • Chocolate Old Fashioned
  • Fall Apple Bourbon Cocktail
  • Old Fashioned Without Bitters
  • Bourbon Cherry Cocktail

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Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

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