A Spicy Ginger Old Fashioned
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In need of a stiff drink? This ginger old fashioned is here for you, babe. With homemade ginger syrup, bourbon, ginger bitters, and an orange twist, it’s a spicy, classic, and cozy cocktail for dinner parties, holidays, or quiet nights in.

Hello, my name is Sara, and I am a young NYC man living in the year 1958 a 20-something woman who loves old fashioned cocktails. But you can call me Don Draper.
Today, I will be sharing my favorite old fashioned recipe because, well, it’s my birthday! And I will be celebrating with bourbon, Angostura bitters, and orange peel all night long if I have my way. Maybe I’ll try to slip in a freezer door gin martini or even a cold brew martini if things get weird. But either way, tonight is for celebration and cake and drinks with my friends!
My first old fashioned was served out of a Tigger mug at Christmastime while it snowed outside. I’ve come a long way since then, but if I’m being honest, I can’t say that scenario won’t recur. All I know is that I’ve been perfecting my old fashioned recipe for over 7 years and this version is one of my favorite variations!
As a little birthday present to me, I hope you join me for one of these cocktails. They’re spicy, boozy, super cozy, and a lovely way to celebrate even if it’s just on the couch. Let’s make one!
You’ll need just 5 ingredients
All you need to make this cocktail is ginger root, granulated sugar, bourbon, ginger bitters, and an orange. You can find ginger bitters in well-stocked liquor stores or online! You can also swap the ginger bitters with orange or Angostura, but it won’t have as much ginger flavor.
Ginger syrup
Make the cocktail
Make sure you’re using bitters properly! A ‘dash’ of bitters isn’t just a small drop. Give the bottle a good shake to get one full dash. Then, add more to taste!
Batching for a party
If you want to batch this cocktail for a crowd, it’s super easy! Just combine the 2 ounces (60 milliliters) of ginger syrup, 2 cups (480 milliliters) of bourbon, and 24 dashes of bitters in a large jar or pitcher. Stir, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To serve, pour about 2 1/4 ounces of the old fashioned into a cocktail mixing glass. Fill with ice, stir, and strain over a large ice cube. Express an orange peel into the cocktail and enjoy.
Or, if you want to make it even easier, you can also try the freezer door old fashioned method!
What is the best bourbon for an old fashioned?
This is a hot debate, but I’ll go ahead a list some of my go-tos! When in doubt, just use your favorite high-quality bourbon. Remember, this is a very liquor-forward drink, so you want a nice one. I like:
- Frey Ranch
- Four Roses
- Buffalo Trace
- Woodford Reserve
- Knob Creek
- Maker’s Mark
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Spicy Ginger Old Fashioned Cocktails
Ingredients
Ginger Syrup
- 1 cup sugar (200 grams)
- 1/2 cup water (120 milliliters)
- 1/4 cup diced ginger (30 grams)
Ginger Old Fashioned
- 1 large ice cube
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup (8 milliliters)
- 2 ounces bourbon (60 milliliters)
- 3 dashes ginger bitters
- Orange and/or lemon peel, for garnish
- Crystallized ginger, for garnish
Equipment
- Jigger
- Cocktail spoon
- Mixing glass & strainer
- Large ice cube mold
- Rocks glass
Instructions
Ginger Syrup
- Add the sugar, ginger, and water to a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce the syrup to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the syrup from the heat and let it steep for 10-30 minutes. Then, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the leftover ginger. Let the syrup cool completely.
Ginger Old Fashioned
- Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass (or a small water glass or a Tigger mug).
- Add the ginger syrup, bourbon, and ginger bitters to a mixing glass. Add a handful of ice and stir the old fashioned until it's chilled, about 20 seconds.
- Strain the old fashioned over the large ice cube. Express the oil of an orange and/or lemon peel over the glass. Garnish with an orange peel and crystallized ginger. Enjoy!
Notes
Originally posted July 25, 2016.