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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!}
This drink was delicious!! I started to make it again last night and realized I ran out of fresh Rosemary – should I even attempt to make with dried Rosemary (and how?) or just settle down and wait until my next grocery run? ?
Hey Jamie,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! If you use dried rosemary I would wrap it in cheesecloth. Have a great weekend! xTieghan
hi tieghan! i made this cocktail on christmas for my boyfriend & i and it is AMAZING!!! we are making it again for nye but i could not find cinnamon sticks this time. i am guessing i can use ground cinnamon but am unsure of how much. we are batching it per your pitcher-sized recipe.
thanks and happy holidays!
jess
Hey Jess,
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! I would just add a couple of pinches of cinnamon. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Years! xTieghan
For the past few years I’ve been put in charge of the Christmas Eve adult beverage. I made this one this year. My only disappointment…I only made enough for one round! We loved it and we be using it for years to come. Oh and once I got home…yes I made up a double batch of the syrup so I can enjoy through the rest of the season.
Hey Jody,
I am so glad you enjoyed the cocktail, thank you so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This was delicious. It was super sweet. Way too sweet for me normally. But good for a special occasion.
Hey Mallory,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Wow lots of ✨white male rage✨ Going on in the comments! This looks amazing, can’t wait to try YOUR spin on this cocktail:)
Hey Demetra,
LOL I hope you love the drink:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan
So, if you are making syrup in bulk, do you use the same amount of water to the syrup amount? The water volume does not change if making multiple cocktails.
Hey Julie,
I would increase the amount of water according the the number of drinks you are wanting to make. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Making the syrup for these right now and it is really setting the Christmas mood here! My brother keeps commenting on how good it smells.
Love that! Thank you so much for trying this Heather! xTieghan
I do love a traditional old fashioned, but I have to say, these look gorgeous and delicious! Can’t wait to try!
Thank you so much! I hope you try these! xTieghan
Wow, tough crowd! Love your take on the old fashioned and trying to make something different and adding your own twist to make it tastier than normal :). It’s a great intro drink for non-bourbon drinkers as well!
Yes! I am so glad you like this Fraser! Thank you so much for this comment! xTieghan
I meant dehydrated oranges 🙂
Yeah, I’m a big fan of the Old Fashioned. As a bartender, it was my favorite drink to make. This sounds like a fun variation for a holiday crowd who may not be into a heavy whiskey drink. Yes Sanne, we sometimes get too crazy. I might try a batch with less OJ the first time out. But experimentation is what make mixology interesting and fun.
I hope everyone loves this Tony! Thank you so much! xTieghan
This was amazing, no matter what you call it! Nice twist on a classic. Comfort zones are too crowded anyway. 😉
Haha thank you!! So glad you like this Aline! xTieghan
wauw, the men goes crazy on this one…lol …. I love to try and have it on the menu in my bar 🙂 I have one questions, how long time can the brûléed oranges last ? Can I use hydrated oranges instead ?
HI! The oranges should be use right ofter cooking. Yes, you can use hydrated oranges. I am sure that will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! xTieghan
Come on, that’s not an old fashioned. It’s a sugared up whiskey screwdriver. The old fashioned is simply a bit of sweet, a dash of bitters and whiskey. Diluting it that much makes it a different drink entirely.
Hi Sean! Yes, I used the base of an old fashioned and added my own spin on it! I hope you try it! xTieghan
How dare you call a cocktail with orange juice an old fashion. And seltzer? Madness. An old fashioned is just Bourbon, syrup, bitters, and a twist of orange.
Hi Brennan! I used the base of an old fashioned and put my own spin on it! I hope you try it! xTieghan