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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.
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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
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
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Maple Cardamon Old Fashioned Pitcher
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Can’t wait to try this next week. Meantime, please kindly advise the source for the cocktail glasses…..so chic!
Hi there,
Sorry, these glasses are sold out, but here is something similar:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBZqv
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I love maple and spice in an old fashioned but prefer to leave out the fruit. To me, it takes away from the bourbon flavor. I like to add fresh ginger to the maple syrup. Perfect winter cocktail!! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Melinda,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed. Happy Holidays!? xx
Would regular bitter work? This looks delicious!!
Hey Maggie,
You bet! I hope you love this recipe, cheers and happy holidays! xTieghan
I love the cocktail glasses in the photo. May I ask where they maybe available? Thank you!
Hi Pamela,
This glass is sold out, but here is something similar:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBZqv
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Where did you find the glasses? Adorable!
This is technically a variation on a Whiskey Sour (due to the inclusion of lemon juice), not an old fashioned. Don’t get me wrong, it looks delicious and I’ll probably give it a try, but it isn’t an Old Fashioned cocktail, despite the title.
Hey Mary,
These glasses are sold out, but here is something similar:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBZqv
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
My son is 21 and he’s expressed that an old fashion is his favorite drink. One day we’ll make this.
This is technically a variation on a Whiskey Sour (due to the inclusion of lemon juice), not an old fashioned. Don’t get me wrong, it looks delicious and I’ll probably give it a try, but it isn’t an Old Fashioned cocktail, despite the title.
Technically, no one asked you Collin.
That’s the Christmas spirit. You don’t need to add any bitters. You’re butter enough, already.
thank you for sharing this! I don’t think Collin is being bitter, he’s simply trying to educate everyone on the proper name of this type of drink. hopefully people will learn a little bit more about bartending and cocktails.
I too was only trying to bring that fact to attention. I hope others take my comment above as you have taken Collins.
Hey Collin,
Thanks for pointing this out, if you read through the blog post I do note that this is not a traditional old fashioned. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I hope you love the recipe Kim!
Green or black cardamon pods? I’m am reading that each has a unique flavor. Your picture looks like they are green.
Hey Kristine,
Here is the link for the cardamom pods that I used:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBWaG
Please let me know if you have any other questions, cheers! xTieghan
Where are those beautiful glasses form?
Hi Katie,
Sorry, these glasses are sold out, but here’s something similar:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBZqv
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What could I use instead of Cardamom bitters?
Wanting to make this for Christmas.
Thanks!
Hey Michele,
Any bitters will work here, orange bitters would be a great option! I hope you love the recipe, happy holidays! xTieghan
If you cannot find cardamom bitters what would your back up recommendation be in regards to a bitter? Want to try these out for Christmas! Thanks!
Hey Nicole,
Any bitters will work here, orange bitters would be a great option! I hope you love the recipe, happy holidays! xTieghan
The photography for this post is gorgeous and seductive!
Thanks so much Janet!! xTieghan
I know I am not the creator of the recipe, but allspice or nutmeg might be good to substitute in the simple syrup. I have never heard of a cardamon bitters
Look for Scrappy’s Bitters. They make cardamom and many other unique bitters.
Just gorgeous! Where did you get these beautiful glasses?? Thank you!
Hi Aruna,
So sorry these ones are sold out, but here are some similar ones:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBZqv
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This recipe looks amazing! I read this recipe 3 times and am still a bit confused. Do you strain the maple cardamom syrup before adding it to the pitcher?
Hi Frances,
Yes, you can strain the syrup. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers! xTieghan
Ditto — would love to know source for the lovely glass.
Hi Cathy,
So sorry these ones are sold out, but here are some similar ones:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBZqv
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I love those whimsical Christmas OF glasses! Please share your source. Thank you!
Hi Dawn,
So sorry these ones are sold out, but here are some similar ones:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bBZqv
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan