fire low, lights warm, cinnamon floating around like a rumor. this christmas old fashioned slides in as a winter cocktail you actually want to sip—classic bones, holiday heart, and just enough sparkle to feel like a festive drink without tasting like a candle.
what it is (and why it works)
start with the old fashioned recipe everyone knows—whiskey, sugar, bitters, citrus—and nudge it toward december. swap the sugar for maple-cardamom syrup so the sweetness turns round and the spice leans bright; add a whisper of cinnamon and finish with a tiny fizz of ginger beer.
the result is a bourbon cocktail that’s smooth, aromatic, and built for lingering conversations.
ingredients that matter
- bourbon: friendly vanilla and caramel notes that play beautifully with spice; choose a profile you like and let it carry.
- maple-cardamom syrup: the star—cardamom adds warm, gently citrus perfume while maple brings richer depth than plain sugar (think spiced simple syrup with better manners).
- bitters: the salt-and-pepper of the bar; angostura for classic depth or orange for lift.
- ginger beer: not traditional, but a joyful prickle of spice and a soft sparkle to wake the glass.
- garnish: orange twist, cinnamon stick, rosemary sprig, and sugared cranberries—a festive garnish that pulls double duty on aroma and looks.
technique in three moves
- build over a big ice cube so you chill without watering out.
- stir, don’t shake—this whiskey cocktail likes the slow dance.
- express the orange peel: hold a wide strip peel-side down over the drink, pinch to mist oils, swipe the rim, drop it in.
make it yours
- swap in rye for a spicier kick or a blended scotch for gentle smoke.
- steep star anise or a couple cloves in the syrup, then strain.
- no ginger beer? a splash of club soda—or champagne if you’re feeling bold—does the job.
- zero-proof lane: use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative with the same syrup and bitters for an easy christmas cocktail that keeps everyone in the circle.
batching for a holiday party
mix the base in a pitcher (about 2 oz bourbon + 1/2 oz maple-cardamom syrup + 2–3 dashes bitters per person) and keep it cold; hold the ginger beer until pouring so the sparkle stays lively.
set a self-serve station with large ice cubes, the chilled pitcher, ginger beer, and bowls of orange twists and sugared cranberries—now your holiday party drink runs itself while you enjoy your own house.
choosing the right bourbon
pick the lane that fits your crowd: traditional bourbon for balanced vanilla/caramel, high-rye for extra snap, or wheated for a softer, cozier finish. any of these turns this into a christmas cocktail recipe worth repeating.
the art of the garnish
garnish isn’t fluff—it’s flavor. the orange oil is the first thing you smell, the cinnamon warms the nose, and rosemary gives that quiet “tree” note.
for quick sparkle, make sugared cranberries: toss fresh berries in a little warm syrup, roll in sugar, and dry on a rack until frosty.
faq (short and straight)
- make-ahead? the syrup keeps up to two weeks in the fridge; the morning of, combine bourbon, syrup, and bitters in a pitcher and chill.
- too sweet or too strong? add a touch more lemon or an extra dash of bitters, or lengthen with a splash of ginger beer or soda.
- ground cardamom instead of pods? you can use about 1/4 teaspoon, but expect a slightly cloudy syrup.
- ginger beer vs ginger ale? beer is brewed and spicier; for this holiday cocktail, that extra heat pays off.
christmas old fashioned
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- cocktail jigger or measuring spoons
- rocks glass (old fashioned glass)
- Bar spoon
- Vegetable peeler
Ingredients
for the maple-cardamom syrup (makes ~4 oz):
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5-6 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
for the christmas old fashioned:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 – 3/4 oz maple-cardamom syrup to taste
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
- 3-4 oz chilled ginger beer to top
for the optional garnishes & rim:
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar for rim
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar for rim
- pinch of cayenne pepper for rim
- orange peel
- sugared cranberries or fresh cranberries
- cinnamon stick
Instructions
step 1: make the maple-cardamom syrup
- combine the maple syrup, water, cinnamon stick, and crushed cardamom pods in a small saucepan.
- bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. let it boil for 3-5 minutes, allowing the spices to infuse.
- remove from heat and let the syrup cool completely. you can strain out the whole spices or leave them in for a stronger flavor. this syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
step 2: prepare the glass (optional)
- if you want a festive rim, mix the coarse sugar, granulated sugar, and cayenne pepper on a small plate.
- run a lemon or orange wedge around the rim of your rocks glass.
- dip the moistened rim into the sugar mixture until it’s evenly coated.
step 3: assemble the cocktail
- add bourbon, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, maple-cardamom syrup, and bitters to your prepared rocks glass.
- add a large ice cube or sphere to the glass.
- stir gently with a bar spoon for about 15-20 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients.
- top off with chilled ginger beer.
- garnish with a fresh orange peel (be sure to express the oils over the drink first), a few sugared cranberries, and a cinnamon stick if desired. serve immediately.
Notes
- how to express an orange peel: use a vegetable peeler to slice a wide strip of peel from an orange. hold it peel-side-down over the top of the drink and give it a firm pinch. this releases the fragrant citrus oils onto the drink’s surface, adding a wonderful aroma.
- batching for a party (8 servings): in a large pitcher, combine 2 cups (16 oz) bourbon, 1/2 cup (4 oz) orange juice, 1/2 cup (4 oz) lemon juice, 1/2 cup (4 oz) of the maple-cardamom syrup, and 16 dashes of bitters. stir well and chill. to serve, pour over ice into individual glasses and let guests top their own drink with ginger beer.
- large ice cubes: using a large ice cube or sphere is highly recommended. it melts much slower, chilling your drink without diluting it too quickly.
- nutritional information: the nutritional information provided is an estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate. calories can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands used.
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.