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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.
I LOVE these glasses!! Where can I get them?? Please
Thanks so much, Nancy! So sorry, these glasses are old and I no longer have a link for them. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
Not an old fashioned if it has ginger beer.
More of a whiskey sour but still good and tasty holiday flavors.
Thank you so much Steven! xT
Can I make the maple cardamon syrup ahead of time? Refrigerate?
Hey Melanie, yes if you are making ahead of time I would refrigerate it! xT
Hi! Have been making this cocktail on repeat for my husband and I. I’m planning to make for a group, using the pitcher recipe. How far ahead of time can I mix the bourbon, juices, bitters and syrup mixture? Can it sit in the fridge overnight? Thanks so much! We’ve been working our way through your Christmassy cocktails. So fun 🎄
I have never made this before but I am going to make it the day ahead as well
Hi Hadley! I would probably make this cocktail right before serving! xT
great recipe!!! Where did you get the glasses with the gold trees? I love them
Hey Wendy,
Happy Wednesday!!🎇 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! So sorry, I don’t have a link for that one but here are some other cute ones:
https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=940328207&pid=uid3696-43323264-41&aid=45496900&utm_content=productwidget%3A63816b742d0ba511edc44c84&utm_medium=referral
xx
I made the pitcher and used ground spices. Mine turned out darker with a bit of residue left at the bottom of the glasses, so I’ll watch that when I add my cooled syrup next time. And yes, there will be a next time, these were delicious!
Hey Lori,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
I love these. I made these for some friends and they all asked for the recipe. Amazing flavors!!
Hey Annie,
Happy Monday!❄️🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Amazing drink! My husband,my mom and I enjoyed it very much.Very festive!!! Thank you!
Hey Jill,
Happy Sunday! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was delish! xx
Perfect balance of flavors, just enough kick on the rim!
Hey Brandon,
Happy Sunday! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was delish! xx
Absolutely loved this for our Christmas Eve drink last year, we plan on making again! For anyone that needs to have this as a mocktail, other than removing the bourbon, would you add anything?
Hey Jessica,
So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed last year!! Yeah, I would just skip the bourbon and add extra ginger beer:) Cheers! xx
What bitters do you suggest? Plain bourbon or Virgil Kaine?
Hey Jody,
Yes, plain bitters work great here. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
WAY TOO MUCH LEMON JUICE. Reduce it by half and you’ve got yourself a drink.
Thanks so much for sharing your feedback Kyle! xx
We loved these! Thank you.
Hey Kim,
Happy Sunday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
Hi, just curious where you got the tree glasses that these cocktails are in, love them! And I plan to make these for Christmas, but first, the Thanksgiving old Fashions first!
Hi Tamara,
These glasses are old from Anthropologie:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xT