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This Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned with Brûléed Oranges is the perfect cozy cocktail for November and December nights. Homemade cinnamon-spiced rosemary simple syrup, mixed with warming bourbon, sweet orange slices, and sparkling water. Make this syrup ahead of time and keep in the fridge. You’ll be able to mix up a quick drink at a moment’s notice. This Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned will quickly become your new holiday go-to all season long.
This post is sponsored by Florida’s Natural.
And just like that, I’ve officially entered holiday mode. Thanksgiving is so late this year! I actually have a silly rule I placed in my head years and years ago…no Christmas talk until after Thanksgiving. Well, this year I’m allowing myself to break that rule, it’s November 23rd…close enough for me!
Which brings me to this very festive bourbon old fashioned. It’s obviously going to be great for Thanksgiving on Thursday, but it’s equally great for all the upcoming holiday parties.
And the best part? You may just have everything on hand to mix this up tonight.
Here are the details.
Start with the cinnamon-spiced simple syrup.
When it comes to cocktails, I really love flavoring them with a syrup that will not leave you with an overly sweet drink. Instead of using sugar and water, I like to use maple syrup, which adds not only sweetness but flavor too. The syrup is simmered with cinnamon sticks and rosemary, for a slightly sweet and perfectly spiced cocktail mixer.
The syrup can be made up to two weeks ahead of time and kept in the fridge. I like to keep this on hand so that I can quickly mix up a delicious cocktail.
Next, the old fashioned.
Simply shake your favorite bourbon with my go-to, Florida’s Natural® Brand Orange Juice. Once mixed, simply add orange bitters and some of the cinnamon-spiced syrup. Then strain into a glass filled with ice, and top with sparkling water.
SIMPLE.
I love using Florida’s Natural® Brand Orange Juice because it’s made with only Florida oranges…no added sugars or artificial ingredients…just orange juice. I always keep OJ stocked in my fridge. Around here, you never know when a brother plus friends may walk in the door. With OJ on hand, I’m able to mix up a quick cocktail right on the spot. It’s one of my go-to cocktail mixers, but it’s equally great for a quick taco night too or an orange turmeric crush!
You can make this as a single cocktail or as a large batch for serving holiday guests. To make it easy for you guys, I gave measurements for both.
Now about those oranges…
Yes, I brûléed oranges and yes, you should too.
They don’t add much to the drink other than a very pretty garnish detail and a sweet bite. But they sure are fun and pretty alongside a sprig of rosemary.
Makes for the perfect finish to this cozy fall and winter cocktail.
So with that? Any Saturday night plans? Thanksgiving prep and cocktails by the fire sound perfect to me!
If you make this cinnamon bourbon old fashioned with brûléed oranges 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 also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned with Brûléed Oranges
Ingredients
Cinnamon Syrup
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Old Fashioned
- 1 thin orange slice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon
- 1/4 cup Florida's Natural® Brand Orange Juice
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) cinnamon syrup
- sparkling water, for topping, (optional)
- cinnamon stick and fresh rosemary, for serving , (optional)
Instructions
Cinnamon Syrup
- 1. In a medium pot, bring 1/3 cup water, the maple syrup, rosemary, and cinnamon to a boil. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Old Fashioned
- 1. To make the brûléed oranges, sprinkle one side of each orange slice with sugar. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Place the orange slices, sugar side down, in the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes, until lightly caramelized. Remove from pan and let cool. 2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, orange juice, orange bitters, and 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon syrup. Shake to combine.3. Strain into a glass. If desired top with sparkling water. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, rosemary, and a brûléed orange slice.
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.
Cinnamon Bourbon Old Fashioned Pitcher
Ingredients
Cinnamon Syrup
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Old Fashioned
- 6 thin orange slices
- 6 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) bourbon
- 1 1/2 cups Florida's Natural® Brand Orange Juice
- 3-4 dashes orange bitters
- cinnamon syrup (from above)
- sparkling water, for topping, (optional)
- cinnamon sticks and fresh rosemary, for serving , (optional)
Instructions
Cinnamon Syrup
- 1. In a medium pot, bring 1/3 cup water, the maple, rosemary, and cinnamon to a boil. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Old Fashioned
- 1. To make the brûléed oranges, sprinkle one side of each orange slice with sugar. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Place the orange slices, sugar side down, in the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes, until lightly caramelized. Remove from pan and let cool. 2. In a pitcher, combine the bourbon, orange juice, orange bitters, and all of the cinnamon syrup. Stir to combine. Chill until ready to serve.3. Pour into glasses filled with ice. If desired top with sparkling water. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, a sprig of rosemary, and brûléed oranges.
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.
{This post is sponsored by Florida’s Natural. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!}
These are incredible. We are hosting a Christmas open house and will be adding this to our drinks menu. That syrup is to die for. We love it!
Hey Lori,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it:) xT
We made this on New Years Eve. Divine! I think the maple syrup, rosemary, cinnamon combo in the simple syrup is a must do, it totally changed the taste of the orange juice, making it much more complex. Used regular bitters because that’s what was on hand. Fantastic recipe!
Hey there,
I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! 🎊🎈
Can you substitute brandy for bourbon in this recipe?
Hey Christine,
Sure, brandy would be yummy to use here! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Yummy for a softer, sweeter version of an Old Fashioned (which I love).
Hey Roxane,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
Hi. This looks great and my house smells fantastic making it. I’m just unclear of the syrup measurements for a pitcher. Could you clarify water, maple, cinnamon and rosemary amounts plus how much should go in the cocktail for a pitcher (6 servings).
Hi Kelli,
All of the measurements are listed above:) You will use all of the syrup as stated in step 2. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love the recipe. Cheers! xTieghan
Hi,
How far in advance can I brûlée the orange slices?
Hi there,
I would say a day in advance would be totally fine for you. I hope you love this recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Delicious!! Made this for Thanksgiving this year for the first time and will definitely do this again… Thank you for the recipe!
Hey Sarah,
Wonderful! It’s so great to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan
Hi! What are your thoughts re replacing the maple syrup with simple syrup? Thank you!
Hey Nicole,
What kind of simple syrup would you be using? If it’s plain, you would really be losing the flavor from the maple syrup. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, cheers! xTieghan
I made the recipe for me and my boyfriend while preparing for Thanksgiving Day and it was delicious! A nice drink to relax and unwind with. Thank you for sharing your recipe. ?
Hi Sharonda,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Hi! If I don’t have orange bitters are regular ok?
Hey Ashley,
Sure that would be fine to use. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
This is a great sit by the fireplace drink. And it’s like drinking the season Fall, in a cup.
Thank you for another great recipe.
Hey there! Thank you for trying out this recipe, I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂 xTieghan
After boiling the syrup, do I store the syrup with our without the cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs?
Hey Amy,
You can store with them:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan