Holiday Spice Old Fashioned Cocktail

The holidays have a smell. Cinnamon, nutmeg, apple, orange, clove—warm, nostalgic, instantly comforting. This Holiday Spice Old Fashioned captures all of that in a glass. It’s a seasonal spin on the classic Old Fashioned, layered with warming spices and finished with an apple cider ice cube that slowly melts and deepens the flavor as you sip.

This is my go-to cocktail for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s spirit-forward, cozy without being sweet, and always gets compliments—especially once people notice the cider cube.

Selecting Whiskey

This holiday cocktail demands a good quality Bourbon as the nature of an Old Fashioned is very spirit forward. Never use something you wouldn’t want to drink neat. For all my Old Fashioned cocktails I like to use a Rye Whiskey for a slightly spicy flavor. However, you can use a classic Bourbon as well.

My favorite brand is Angels Envy Rye Whiskey, however Woodford Reserve Rye and WhistlePig Rye are also solid.

Bourbon will make this cocktail even sweeter. If you’re going for Bourbon I suggest Angels Envy, Four Roses and Basil Hayden.

What is Mulling Spice?

Simply put – mulling spice is all those flavors you would get in a pie. It’s made of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, and dried orange peel. You can make your own with the recipe here or you can buy a premade mix at the grocery store or on amazon here. Mulling spice is also what you would use to make apple cider or mulled wine – both holiday classics.

Holiday Spice Old Fashioned

My favorite twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, this version is sweeter and adds those holiday flavors of cinnamon, orange, apple, and pumpkin pie spice.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Equipment

• 1 Large Square Cube Ice Mold

Ingredients

  

• 2 oz Rye Bourbon
• 3 dash Orange Bitters
• 1/2 -1 oz Mulling Spice Simple Syrup
• 1 Apple Cider Ice Cube

Instructions

 

• Prepare Ahead: pour your apple cider into the large cube mold to create your apple cider cubes.
• Prepare Ahead: simmer equal parts water and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and add mulling spices. Let sit for 10 minutes. Strain the simple syrup into a container and refrigerate.
• Combine bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters in a whiskey glass. Stir.
• Add 1 apple cider ice cube and garnish with a herb like rosemary, thyme, or orange peel.

Keyword Bourbon, Holiday