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This Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned is the perfect cozy cocktail for November and December nights. Homemade spiced rosemary and honey simple syrup, mixed with warming bourbon, lemon, and orange. Perfect for cold nights and easy to create. Simply mix everything together for a cocktail that’s perfectly sweetened, spiced, and so delicious! Tip? Make a large batch to serve to family and friends over the holidays.
And the official countdown is on. We have just about a week and a half left from now until Thanksgiving, and surprise, I am excited! Not only am I looking forward to a good meal, but also a little downtime. It’s been hard to keep up with everything the last few months, but with the holidays here, it’s time to slow down a little and enjoy the magic of the season…
Will I listen and take my own advice? Probably not, BUT, I do have the perfect cocktail to slow down and cozy up with. And you know?
It’s one of my favorites yet.
The simple details.
This one is different because for once, I’m focusing more on spices and citrus and much less on the fruit. I’m a fruity cocktail kind of person, but I’m switching things up. The key to this drink lies within the spiced honey syrup. It’s a mix of sweet honey and warming spices, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. All simmered together with woodsy rosemary and then finished off with two extra special touches…fresh orange zest and a splash of sweet vanilla.
When shaken up with bourbon, lemon, and a squeeze of fresh orange juice, it’s sweet, spicy, and delicious
Simple to mix up, but oh so GOOD.
As I mentioned, you can also make this into more of a punch for serving guests. If doing so, I would probably recommend doubling the recipe, depending on how many people you plan to serve…or if you just know your guests will be back for seconds.
With our family, my guess is that many will be back for seconds. My sister-in-law, whom I just sent the recipe to, said “this might be my fave drink of yours”. She’s a tough critic, so that should tell you something about this drink, it’s a good one!
If you wanted to make this drink sparkle even more, I’d add some candied rosemary. It’s so simple to make. Just grab some fresh rosemary sprigs, dampen them with water, and cover in granulated sugar. Let the rosemary dry for an hour at room temperature. Now you have pretty, glistening, rosemary that’s the perfect final touch.
And that’s pretty much it. It’s a classic, but with a seasonal twist that makes it even better. This one is perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Enjoy guys!!
Looking for other easy bourbon cocktails?? Here are my favorites:
Lastly, if you make this Spiced Honey Bourbon 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!
Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 1616 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Spiced Honey Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for serving
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- 1 tablespoon cardamom pods (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom)
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Old Fashioned
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) orange or clementine juice
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) spiced honey syrup
Instructions
- 1. To make the spiced honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the orange zest and vanilla. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2-3 tablespoons honey syrup, the bourbon, lemon juice, orange juice, and orange bitters. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass. Garnish with an orange slice and rosemary, if desired.
Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned Pitcher
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 437 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for serving
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- 1 tablespoon cardamom pods (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom)
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces (1 cup) bourbon
- 4 ounce (1/2 cup) lemon juice
- 4 ounce (1/2 cup clementine or orange juice
- 3-4 dashes orange bitters
- 3-4 ounces (1/4 - 1/2 cup) spiced honey syrup
- 1 blood orange or regular orange, sliced or regular orange, sliced
Instructions
- 1. To make the spiced honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the orange zest and vanilla. Let cool. Remove the rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom pods, and ginger. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.2. In a punch bowl, combine the honey syrup, the bourbon, lemon juice, orange juice, and orange bitters. Stir to combine, chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice. Garnish with an orange slice and rosemary, if desired.
Loved the idea and the smell, but my simple syrup was soooo thick. What can I do to make it more liquid? What did I do wrong?
Hey Carrie,
So sorry you had issues with the syrup. I am wondering if you cooked it for too long? It really only needs 2-3 minutes and then it’s good to go:) I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
Perfect Fall cocktail. Thank you Tieghan for another outstanding recipe to add to my collection. This cocktail is SO yummy. I used tangerine juice which added a nice tang and balanced the sweet of the honey. I’m planning to keep this in rotation as we move into colder months.
I am so happy you loved this! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Hi there, a few weeks ago you’d posted a story about a table setting renting company, can you please remind me who that was? I loved them but I can’t remember the name and google isn’t helping.
Hey JL,
Yes, it’s called Social Studies Party. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I thought this drank more like a spiced holiday punch rather than an old fashioned! Still tasty but more viscous than an old fashioned in my mind.
Hi Rachel! I am happy you still loved this one! xTieghan
Oh my. This one deserves an instant try. Honey syrup smells and tastes AMAZING. Can’t wait for it to cool. I’ll let you know how the finished product is!
I am so happy this turned out so well for you, Cindy! Thank you for trying this one! xTieghan
While this cocktail is oh so good, it should have it’s own unique name since all the adjuncts make it something entirely different than it’s name. I must admit, I’m an Old Fashioned and Manhatten snob, but if someone sold this to me calling it an Old Fashioned, I’d be disappointed with my drink. Too many ingredients cover the “bourbon forward” profile of A TRUE Old Fashioned. It’s more in the “mulled drink” taste profile.
Thank you Kyle! xTieghan
Wow! This is delicious! I’m not a big bourbon drinker but my husband is and this is a cocktail that rivals a fancy restaurant special. Loved it! Will definitely be making this through out the season and beyond. Love all of your recipes and your photos are the bomb!
Thank you so much Karen! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Recipe is very inviting but I was wondering where to find a retailer who sells clementine juice. I did notice that in your recipe for a pitcher you did give orange juice as a possible substitute but I would like to use clementine juice. Although this is an option I believe the clementine juice would be better. I had no luck finding a US retailer so it looks like we will be juicing fresh clementines or using orange juice unless you can help.
Hi Chris! I think orange or clementine will work amazing in this recipe! Fresh squeezed clementine juice is the best for sure! xTieghan
Yummm definitely trying this for Thanksgiving! Seems like it’s almost a whiskey sour with all those citrus juices mixed in… sounds delish!
Thank you so much Jean! I am so happy to hear that! xTieghan
This looks delicious, but I don’t think you can really call it an old-fashioned. It’s more like an autumn whiskey sour.
Thank you so much Eric!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so amazing for you! xTieghan
Yummmmmm. This is my new favorite old fashioned!
Love that! Thank you Kate! xTieghan
My family LOVES Old Fashioneds. I’m making this for thanksgiving weekend. Just to be clear, use a cardamom pod in syrup mixture and the star anise is just for garnish? Right? Thanks and I love your sight. You are SOOO creative!
Hey Leah,
Yes, that is correct. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you strain this syrup after letting it cool?
Hey Carolyne,
Yes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
what kind of bourbon did you use?
Hey Myriem,
I like Four Roses or Off Hours Bourbon. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
cool
Thank you! xTieghan