• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Littlest Crumb
  • Seasonal Fall Cocktails
  • Cocktails
  • Shots & Shooters
  • Mocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Seasonal Fall Cocktails
  • Cocktails
  • Shots & Shooters
  • Mocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Seasonal Fall Cocktails
  • Cocktails
  • Shots & Shooters
  • Mocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Drinks » Cocktails » Bourbon & Whiskey Cocktails

Chocolate Old Fashioned

Published: Jan 21, 2023 by Ali

Jump to Recipe

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

This chocolate old fashioned recipe is perfect for chocolate and bourbon lovers. Made with a homemade chocolate syrup for the richest chocolate flavor.

A chocolate old fashioned garnished with an orange peel, on a white and gold coaster.

Classic old fashioned recipes are made with bourbon, bitters, a twist of an orange peel, and sometimes sugar or soda. But you can even make an old fashioned without bitters. 

There are so many different ways you can make an old fashioned cocktail by adding in other flavors. 

Flavored old fashioned recipes are perfect for people who don’t want a strong drink and enjoy a bit of sweetness.

For other flavored old fashioned recipes, try this pineapple old fashioned or this brown sugar old fashioned.

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Step By Step Instructions
  • Variations
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This chocolate old fashioned is made with a homemade chocolate simple syrup that gives the cocktail the best chocolate flavor.
  • You don't need any expensive ingredients or bitters for this recipe.
  • This is a simple and easy cocktail to make and is perfect for beginners.
  • You can easily adjust the sweetness of this drink to meet everyone's taste.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients needed to make the old fashioned.
  • Bourbon: Use your favorite brand of bourbon whiskey. The taste of bourbon definitely comes through in this drink, so you want to use at least a medium quality bourbon that you enjoy the taste of.
  • Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is the ingredient that gives the chocolate simple syrup all its chocolate flavor. Use regular, unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Sugar & Water: Granulated sugar and water are dissolved together with the cocoa powder to make the chocolate simple syrup. Typically simple syrup is made with granulated sugar, but you can use brown sugar instead which will give a richer, slight caramel flavor.
  • Angostura Orange Bitters: The orange bitters pair really well with the chocolate in this drink. You can substitute this with any type of orange bitters. If you want to experiment with other flavors, you can substitute these with coffee bitters, cherry bitters or toasted almond bitters.

Equipment

Here is the equipment you will need to make the chocolate syrup and the old fashioned:

  • A small saucepan to make the chocolate syrup in, as well as an airtight glass jar to store any leftover simple syrup in.
  • A paring knife to slice off an orange peel, as well as cocktail picks if you want to add any garnishes.
  • A rocks glass to serve the drink in.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Whisk the cocoa powder, sugar and water together in a small bowl.

A process photo illustrating step 1.

Step 2: Heat the mixture on a saucepan over medium to high heat, bringing to a very gentle simmer. Continue to simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until the granulated sugar has completely dissolved.

A process photo illustrating step 2.

Step 3: In a whiskey glass, mix the chocolate syrup, bourbon and dashes of bitters together. Add in the ice. Twist an orange peel over the drink and add to the drink as garnish.

A process photo illustrating step 3.

Variations

  • Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned: Replace half of the chocolate simple syrup with the cherry syrup in this bourbon cocktail recipe. Or, replace the orange bitters with a couple dashes of cherry bitters.
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Old Fashioned: Use Skrewball peanut butter whiskey instead of regular bourbon whiskey.
  • Maple Chocolate Old Fashioned: Add in ½ tablespoon of real maple syrup.
  • Mint Chocolate Old Fashioned: Either add in a few dashes of mint-flavored bitters, or use ½ oz chocolate syrup and ¼ oz of mint liqueur.

Expert Tips

  • Store leftover chocolate syrup in the fridge. This recipe will make extra chocolate simple syrup. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks. For more ideas on how to use leftover chocolate syrup, see the full chocolate simple syrup recipe.
  • Fully dissolve the sugar. When making the simple syrup, make sure the granulated sugar has fully dissolved in the water. Unlike with regular simple syrup, it is hard to see when the sugar has dissolved because of the chocolate color. If you use a rubber spatula and run it along the bottom of the pan as the syrup is cooking, you can “feel” any undissolved sugar granules.
  • 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.
  • Reduce the sweetness. If you prefer this drink to taste slightly stronger, use only a ½ oz of chocolate simple syrup instead.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chocolate bitters instead of chocolate simple syrup?

Yes. You can use a few dashes of chocolate bitters instead of chocolate syrup to make a chocolate bitters old fashioned. Keep in mind that the chocolate flavor will be much more subtle, and the drink will taste overall much stronger.

Can I use crème de cacao instead of chocolate syrup?

Yes. Crème de cacao will give you a sweeter old fashioned drink, and still have a strong chocolate flavor. Use ½ to ¾ oz of crème de cacao chocolate liqueur.

What can I make with leftover chocolate simple syrup?

Chocolate simple syrup can be used in any sort of cocktail or drink for chocolate flavoring. You can use it to make chocolate bubble tea, an iced mocha latte, or a chocolate mojito.

A chocolate old fashioned garnished with an orange peel, on a white background.
Print

📖 Recipe

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A chocolate old fashioned garnished with an orange peel, on a white marble table.

Chocolate Old Fashioned


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This chocolate old fashioned recipe is perfect for chocolate and bourbon lovers. Made with a homemade chocolate syrup for the richest chocolate flavor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Chocolate Simple Syrup:
    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • ¾ cup water
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • Chocolate Old Fashioned:
    • 1 oz bourbon
    • ¾ oz chocolate simple syrup
    • 2 to 3 dashes Angostura orange bitters
    • 1 x 1-inch orange peel

Instructions

Chocolate Simple Syrup:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk the cocoa powder, sugar and water together until smooth and there are no more clumps of cocoa powder.
  2. On a saucepan over medium to high heat, bring the chocolate mixture to a gentle simmer. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
  3. Continue to simmer for 5 minutes until the granulated sugar dissolves. Remove the saucepan from the stove and let the syrup cool for a few minutes.

Chocolate Old Fashioned:

  1. In a cocktail glass, stir the bourbon, chocolate syrup and bitters together. Add in the ice.
  2. Twist the orange peel over the drink and add it in as garnish. Enjoy responsibly!

Notes

  • This recipe will make extra chocolate simple syrup. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks. For more ideas on how to use up leftover syrup, see the full chocolate simple syrup recipe.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 181
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 0mg
  • Fat: 0.6g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27.9g
  • Fiber: 0.9g
  • Protein: 0.9g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

More Bourbon & Whiskey Cocktails

  • A collage of cocktail images with the text overlay: “Easy Bourbon Cocktails”.
    Easy Bourbon Cocktails
  • A collage of cocktails with the text overlay: “Easy Whiskey Cocktail Recipes”.
    Easy Whiskey Cocktails
  • A collage of cocktail images with the text overlay: “Bourbon Christmas Cocktails”.
    Christmas Bourbon Cocktails
  • A collage of cocktails with the text overlay: “Fall Bourbon Cocktails”.
    Fall Bourbon Cocktails

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Primary Sidebar

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 —>

Trending

  • Slice of billy miner pie drenched in caramel and chocolate sauce.
    Billy Miner Pie Recipe
  • RumChata french toast topped with fresh raspberries and rumchata whipped cream.
    RumChata French Toast
  • Close up view of 3 pieces of crispy pan fried gnocchi covered in garlic parmesan sauce on a wooden spoon.
    Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi
  • A glass of iced oat milk latte topped with frothed oat milk and garnished with a cinnamon stick.
    Iced Oat Milk Latte

Summer Cocktails

  • A pineapple mimosa in a champagne flute, garnished with a pineapple slice.
    Pineapple Mimosa
  • Overhead view of a pina colada with coconut milk, garnished with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry.
    Piña Colada With Coconut Milk
  • A blue hurricane drink garnished with maraschino cherries and a lime slice, on a marble table.
    Blue Hurricane Drink
  • A pink guava margarita on the rocks, garnished with lime and a salted rim.
    Guava Margarita

Summer Drinks

  • A strawberry basil mocktail garnished with fresh basil leaves and strawberry slices.
    Strawberry Basil Mocktail
  • Up close photo of banana watermelon smoothie, surrounded by ice cubes and watermelon slices.
    Banana Watermelon Smoothie
  • Overhead view of a spicy margarita garnished with sliced jalapenos.
    Spicy Margarita Mocktail
  • Overhead view of a lychee bubble tea with brown sugar syrup and black tapioca pearls.
    Lychee Bubble Tea

Footer

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions

Newsletter

  • Subscribe for the latest recipes.

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 The Littlest Crumb