There’s something magical about a winter cocktail that feels cozy and bright all at once, and this Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe hits that note perfectly. It combines the warmth of bourbon with fresh citrus zing and a spicy ginger kick that make it stand out at holiday gatherings or a quiet night by the fire.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance: The bright orange and spicy ginger beautifully complement the rich bourbon base for a cocktail that isn’t too sweet or too strong.
- Quick and Easy: It only takes five minutes to craft this drink, making it hassle-free for last-minute holiday entertaining.
- Customizable Sweetness: By adjusting the maple syrup, you can tailor it to your exact taste, whether you like it drier or sweeter.
- Festive Flair: Garnished with fresh orange slices, rosemary, and cranberries, it looks as good as it tastes — guaranteed to impress your guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe plays a special role in creating the holiday vibe. I always recommend fresh orange juice for a flavorful punch, and a spicy ginger beer brings warmth and fizz that rounds out the drink beautifully.
- Bourbon: Choose your favorite bottle — smooth and rich bourbons work best to keep the cocktail balanced.
- Fresh squeezed orange juice: Fresh juice makes a noticeable difference in brightness and acidity, so don’t skip it for store-bought if you can help it.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds a natural sweetness with a subtle depth that complements bourbon like no other sweetener.
- Ginger beer: I look for a spicy, strong ginger beer to add that warming kick; avoid mild, overly sweet versions.
- Angostura bitters: These small dashes bring complexity with herbal notes that lift the cocktail.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe depending on the occasion — it’s pretty flexible, so feel free to make it your own! Adding or subtracting sweetener and spices lets you tailor the flavor.
- Spice It Up: Once, I added a dash of ground cinnamon to the glass and it added a fantastic cozy warmth that made this perfect for a snowy evening.
- Sweeter Twist: For sweeter palates, upping the maple syrup to 1.5 tablespoons gave my family that extra smooth sweetness they adored.
- Mocktail Version: I’ve swapped the bourbon with extra ginger beer and added a splash of vanilla extract for a festive, alcohol-free option that still feels special.
How to Make Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe
Step 1: Combine Your Core Ingredients
In a tall glass or cocktail shaker, pour in 2 oz of bourbon, 2 oz of freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup, and add 2 dashes of angostura bitters. Stir gently with a long spoon or shake for about 10 seconds. This step blends the bold flavors so perfectly that you’ll notice the aroma right away. Don’t rush it – a few extra seconds never hurt, but shaking too vigorously might dilute the drink if you add ice too early.
Step 2: Prepare Your Glass and Add Ice
Before pouring, I always pop my rocks glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes — it keeps the cocktail cool without watering it down too fast. Pour your mixed bourbon-orange blend into the chilled glass over a large ice cube. A single big cube melts slower, preserving flavor longer, which is a game changer.
Step 3: Top with Ginger Beer and Garnish
Top your creation with a generous splash of spicy ginger beer for fizz and that warm bite. Then, garnish with a vibrant orange slice, a cinnamon stick, fresh cranberries, or a sprig of rosemary — or all of the above if you’re feeling fancy! I find the rosemary adds a beautiful piney aroma that makes this cocktail scream holiday cheer.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe
- Chill Your Glass: I learned early on that a cold glass keeps the drink fresher longer, so never skip that freezer step.
- Don’t Add Ice Too Early: Mixing with ice beforehand waters down your bourbon; mix ingredients first, then add ice just before serving.
- Choose Bold Ginger Beer: I recommend a strong spicy ginger beer — it adds depth and warms the palate, making this festive cocktail sing.
- Adjust Sweetness Slowly: Start with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and add a little more after tasting; it’s easy to over-sweeten, and this keeps it balanced.
How to Serve Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe
Garnishes
I stick with fresh orange slices because they add a zesty pop every time and the cinnamon stick brings that classic holiday warmth. Rosemary sprigs give a lovely pine scent and look festive perched on the side, plus those bright cranberries add a cheerful splash of color.
Side Dishes
This cocktail pairs wonderfully with salty nuts, cheese boards featuring sharp cheddar and gouda, or even warm spiced cookies. During holiday parties, I like to keep these on hand for guests to nibble on while savoring their drinks.
Creative Ways to Present
I once served this Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe in a punch bowl for a party–letting guests top their glasses with ginger beer themselves. Adding ice blocks studded with cranberries and rosemary sprigs made it look spectacular and festive, sparking lots of compliments!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to make a bigger batch, store the bourbon, orange juice, maple syrup, and bitters mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just remember to stir well before serving again, as the syrup might settle to the bottom.
Freezing
Freezing this cocktail mix isn’t my go-to because the citrus can get bitter, but if you want to try, freeze in ice cube trays and use cubes in place of regular ice — it chills without watering down your drink.
Reheating
This cocktail is best served cold, so I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, stir the mixture if stored in the fridge and pour over fresh ice, then top with ginger beer to refresh the fizz before serving.
FAQs
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Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh?
Bottled orange juice works in a pinch, but fresh squeezed juice really brightens the flavor and makes the cocktail taste more vibrant and less artificial. I’d recommend fresh if possible for the best results.
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What if I don’t have maple syrup?
If you don’t have maple syrup, you can substitute simple syrup or honey, but keep in mind each will slightly change the flavor profile. Maple syrup adds a unique depth and holiday feel that’s hard to replicate.
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Can I make this cocktail in a large batch for parties?
Absolutely! Just multiply the ingredients (except ginger beer) and mix in a pitcher. Then let guests top off with ginger beer individually, keeping the fizz fresh for everyone.
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What type of ginger beer is best?
Look for a ginger beer that’s spicy and robust rather than sweet and mild to give your cocktail warmth and complexity. Brands like Fever-Tree or Q Ginger Beer work great.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe has become my go-to for holiday celebrations because it’s simple, elegant, and always puts smiles on my guests’ faces. I love how the flavors dance together — bright, spicy, and cozy all at once. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I have. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be a holiday tradition you’ll want to revisit again and again!
Print
Festive Bourbon Old Fashioned with Orange and Ginger Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Christmas Old Fashioned Cocktail is a festive twist on the classic bourbon cocktail, combining bourbon, fresh orange juice, pure maple syrup, angostura bitters, and a ginger beer topper for a warm, spicy, and refreshing holiday drink.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
- 1 ginger beer (to top)
Garnishes
- 1 orange slice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Fresh cranberries
- Sprig of rosemary
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a tall glass or cocktail shaker, add the bourbon, fresh squeezed orange juice, pure maple syrup, and angostura bitters.
- Mix Cocktail: Stir the mixture well with a long spoon or shake for 10 seconds in a cocktail shaker to blend all flavors thoroughly.
- Prepare Glass: Pour the mixed cocktail into a rocks glass, preferably chilled with a large ice cube to keep the drink cold without diluting it quickly.
- Top and Garnish: Top the drink with ginger beer to add sparkling spice, then garnish with an orange slice, a cinnamon stick, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic festive presentation.
- Serve: Enjoy your refreshing Christmas Old Fashioned cocktail immediately.
Notes
- You can mix this drink directly in a glass with a spoon or use a cocktail shaker for more thorough blending.
- Do not add ice until ready to pour to avoid diluting the cocktail too early.
- For best results, chill the rocks glass by rinsing with cold water and placing in the freezer for 10 minutes before use.
- Adjust the sweetness by increasing maple syrup to 1.5 tablespoons for a sweeter drink or reducing to 1 teaspoon for less sweetness.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice is recommended for optimal flavor, though store-bought can be used.
- Use a strong, spicy ginger beer to add warmth and depth; adjust quantity based on your preferred ginger intensity.
- This cocktail can be made in larger batches in a pitcher or punch bowl, allowing guests to top with ginger beer individually.
