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.

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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.
The image shows a close-up of a glass filled with a yellow-orange drink, topped with a circle of shiny red cranberries floating on the surface. A single cinnamon stick is placed partly inside the drink on the right side. Around the glass on a white marble Save

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.

Flat lay of fresh bright orange half with a small white bowl of freshly squeezed orange juice, a small white bowl of rich amber pure maple syrup, a small white bowl of deep reddish-brown angostura bitters, a small white bowl filled with golden bourbon whi Save
  • 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

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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.

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!