Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (2024)

Posted Drink

Learn how to make the best homemade Brown Sugar Old Fashioned!

Our quick & easy Old Fashioned recipe substitutes a white sugar cube for molasses flavoured brown sugar. It’s a popular whiskey co*cktail to serve at Christmas and New Years parties but can be enjoyed all year round!

This simple festive co*cktail recipe features premium whiskey, brown sugar, Angostura bitters, cinnamon stick and orange peel.

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Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (1)

What Is A Brown Sugar Old Fashioned?

The Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey co*cktail that was developed during the 19th century and was given its name in the 1880s. The drink is typically prepared by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey, garnishing with an orange slice and co*cktail cherry.

We’ve shared several tasty rifts on the traditional old fashioned including a Scotch Old Fashioned co*cktail, Irish Old Fashioned co*cktail and Christmas Old Fashioned.

A Brown Sugar Old Fashioned simply substitutes a white sugar cube for brown sugar, giving the drink a desired molasses flavour profile. We decorate the rocks glass with a festive cinnamon stick and orange peel.

Our favourite time of year to shake up this Old Fashioned recipe is during the Christmas and New Years holiday co*cktail party season…but it can be muddled and sipped year round!

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (2)

Travel The World to Taste Whiskey

There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with the best Brown Sugar Old Fashioned recipe then by planning a vacation to visit theworld’s best whiskey distilleries.

Some of the world’s most famous whiskey/whisky distilleries can be found in theUnited KingdomandIreland. The booming whiskey trend has also produced a high demand for premium whiskey produced by distilleries inCanadaandAmerica.

We’ve visited a handful of whiskey distilleries inEuropeas well as a chic whiskey co*cktail bar atMultnomah Whiskey LibraryinPortlandandStranahansinDenver.

InScotlandwe enjoyed a scenic road trip to theIsle of Islay, which is best known for its famousIslay Scotch whisky distilleries. If you’re looking to experience thebest things to do on the Isle of Islayvisit award-winning distilleries like Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Bowmore.

We also suggest sipping local Scottish whisky on theIsle of Skye,Glasgow,Edinburghand The Highlands. One of ourfavourite things to do in Edinburghis theThe Scotch Whisky Experience.

Fly over toIrelandand you’ll find plenty of fine whiskey produced by famous distilleries like Jamesons and Bushmills. There’s no better way to educate yourself about Irish Whiskey then by taking a tour ofJameson DistillerynearCorkand Bushmills along theCauseway Coast. They’re both worth aday trip from Dublin.

Looking to plan the ultimate road trip ofCanadato discover the best Canadian whisky?

Our favourite Canadian whiskies includeLot 40fromOntario,Masterson’sfromAlberta,Caribou CrossingfromQuebec,Goodridge & WilliamsfromBritish ColumbiaandGlenorafromNova Scotia.

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (3)

Types of Whiskey

The wonderful world of whiskey can be confusing for newbies as there is a lot more variety compared to vodka and gin.

Whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash or by distilling beer. Various grains are used for different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, generally made of charred white oak.

The best way to familiarize yourself with whiskey and find a new favourite is by sipping as many varieties as you can. You’ll find single malt whiskies, blended whiskies, single pot still whiskey and and everything in between.

Our Brown Sugar Old Fashioned features premium whiskey and the flavour profile of the craft co*cktail can be adjusted to suit your tastes based on whichever bottle you chose. Add a Bourbon to your co*cktail shaker and you’ll enjoy a sweeter flavour. Or grab a bottle of Islay Scotch to experience peaty undertones.

  • Scotch: is made in Scotland with either malt or grain. The spirit must age in an oak barrel for at least three years. Many of the top Scotch bottles are revered for their peaty character. Popular Scotch brands include Johnnie Walker, Ballantine’s and Ardbeg.
  • Irish Whiskey: has a smoother flavor than other types of whiskey. It’s made from a mash of malt, can only be distilled using water and caramel coloring, and must be distilled in wooden casks for at least three years. Popular Irish whiskey brands include Jamesons, Bushmills and Green Spot.
  • Bourbon: An American-style whiskey, bourbon is made from corn. In fact, to be called bourbon whiskey, the spirit needs to be made from at least 51% corn, aged in a new oak barrel and produced in America. It has no minimum aging period and needs to be bottled at 80 proof or more. Popular Bourbon brands include Ezra Brooks, Wild Turkey and Maker’s Mark.
  • Canadian Whisky: must be barrel-aged for at least three years. It’s lighter and smoother than other types of whiskey because it contains a high percentage of corn. You will find that most Canadian whiskies are made from corn and rye, but can also include wheat and barley. Popular Canadian whisky brands include Canadian Club, JP Wiser’s and Wayne Gretzky Estates.
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (4)

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Ingredients

This homemade Brown Sugar Old Fashioned recipe is made with premium ingredients:

  • Whiskey: we tested this recipe with Canadian Wayne Gretzky Estates Whiskey, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey and Glenfiddich Scotch.
  • Brown Sugar: use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar depending on how strong you want the molasses flavour to be in the co*cktail.
  • Bitters: we suggest using Angostura bitters but you could also use orange bitters.
  • Orange Peel: garnish the co*cktail with orange peel and a cinnamon stick.
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (5)

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned Recipe Tips

This festive Old Fashioned recipe is easy to make at home, ready to serve in under 5 minutes.

Our Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail serves one person. If you’re hosting a large gathering feel free to multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and muddle the drink in a festive punch bowl or jug rather than a co*cktail shaker.

Use light brown sugar for a more subtle molasses flavour and dark brown sugar for a more pronounced experience.

You can use Angostura bitters or orange bitters. Feel free to garnish each rocks glass with a cinnamon stick and orange peel to impress guests.

Muddle the drink with large pieces of ice or ice spheres to ensure the co*cktail does not dilute too quickly.

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (6)

Best Bartender Tools & co*cktail Equipment

Before hosting a swanky Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail soiree you’ll need to ensure you have the best bartender tools and co*cktail equipment.

  • co*cktail Kit: co*cktail kits are the perfect gift for newbie mixology fans as they include basic bartender tools like a jigger, shaker and spoon.
  • co*cktail Shaker: a bartender’s best friend. Purchase a premium co*cktail shaker to muddle or shake up your favourite pink gin co*cktails.
  • co*cktail Glassware: make sure your bar is stocked with a selection of unique glassware to show off your favourite co*cktail creations.
  • Hawthorne Strainer:this unique strainer features tightly wound coils and perforated holes. It keeps ice and other large ingredients like lime wedges in your co*cktail shaker rather than in the glass.
  • Bar Spoons: slender and long bar spoons are a must-have when stirring drinks.
  • Bottle Opener: easily open bottles of beer or cider with the flick of your wrist or purchase a corkscrew for fine wine.
  • Pouring Spout: once you’ve opened a new bottle of gin insert these affordable pourers to make co*cktail assembly a breeze.
  • Cutting Board: purchase a petite cutting board for your bar to slice garnishes or citrus wedges like lime, orange, lemon or grapefruit.
  • Ice Bucket: chill bottles of gin quickly in an ice bucket or keep by the bar when muddling gin mixers into cool creations.
  • Ice Crusher: fans of the Mint Julep love an ice crusher.
  • Ice Cube Kit:we suggest purchasing a selection of ice cube trays. Silicone styles are our favourite as they’re easy to clean and are available in various shapes and sizes.
  • Jigger: use a jigger to accurately measure spirits, juices, syrups and shrubs.
  • Juicer: invest in an electronic juicer or buy an affordable hand-held to easily juice fresh citrus like lemons and limes.
  • Muddler: fans of the Mojito love a sturdy muddler to mix mint and lime. Muddler’s are handy for any co*cktail featuring ingredients that need a pounding like fresh herbs or citrus wedges.
  • Citrus Peeler&Zester: adorn your craft co*cktails with a thick citrus peel or finer ribbons of lime or lemon zest.
  • Rimmer: Bloody Mary and Caesar lovers should outfit their bar with a handy rimmer for salting and sugaring glassware.
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (7)

You May Also Enjoy These Whiskey co*cktails…

  • Peach Whiskey Sour co*cktail
  • Irish Mule Ginger Beer Whiskey co*cktail
  • Wheat Beer and Whiskey co*cktail
  • Ginger Whiskey Pear co*cktail
  • Hawaiian Whiskey Pineapple Sour co*cktail
  • Iced Irish Coffee co*cktail
  • Cherry Whiskey Sour co*cktail
  • Blueberry Buck Whiskey co*cktail
  • Fresh Berry Lemonade Summer Whiskey co*cktail
  • Perfect Rob Roy Scotch Manhattan
  • Scotch Sour Whisky co*cktail
  • Irish Whiskey Sour co*cktail
  • Bushmills co*cktail Irish Whiskey and Apple Juice
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (8)

How To Make A Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (9)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Brown Sugar Old Fashioned

Learn how to make a Brown Sugar Old Fashioned. This festive co*cktail recipe features whiskey, Angostura bitters, orange peel & cinnamon stick.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Brown Sugar Old Fashioned

Servings: 1

Calories: 153kcal

Equipment

  • Rocks co*cktail Glass

  • Shot Glass

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar packed
  • 1 tsp Water
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 2 oz Whiskey
  • Orange Peel + Cinnamon Stick garnish

Instructions

  • Add brown sugar, water and bitters to a co*cktail glass. Muddle until the sugar has dissolved.

  • Add whiskey, and ice and stir to combine.

  • Garnish with orange peel and cinnamon stick.

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 5mg | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 3mg

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Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (10)
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (11)
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (12)
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (13)
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (14)
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (15)
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned co*cktail Drink Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is brown sugar good in an Old Fashioned? ›

The best old fashioned recipes call for sugar to balance the alcohol. I use simple syrup, which quickly dissolves and is simple to make. It also allows us to play around and use brown sugar instead of white sugar for the syrup, giving our co*cktail a caramel-like flavor that works well with whiskey or rum.

What is the best sugar to use in an Old Fashioned? ›

1 cube of Angostura soaked sugar cube: Brown Demerara sugar cubes work well in an Old Fashioned co*cktail. The classic recipe, according to most mixologists, calls for Brown Demerara sugar cubes. Sugar cubes are previously measured, allowing for consistent whiskey to bitters ratios.

How to order a sweeter Old Fashioned? ›

Ask for your drink to be more bitter or sweet.

If you want a more sweet Old Fashioned, ask for less bitters in your drink. Typical Old Fashioneds don't have much more than a splash of bitters in them. However, every bartender is different, and your bar could use more bitters on average.

Is an Old Fashioned better with bourbon or rye? ›

Consequently, some traditionalists insist an Old-Fashioned should be made with rye, but bourbon is equally correct and the choice of whiskey should be entirely up to the personal taste of the drinker. Bourbon makes a mellow, slightly sweeter drink, while rye adds more spice and kick.

What do you do with old-fashioned brown sugar? ›

Dark brown sugar (also called old-fashioned brown sugar) tends to be reserved primarily for recipes like baked beans, gingerbread, spice cakes, and other dishes where you really want a deep molasses flavor.

Is dark brown sugar the same as old-fashioned brown sugar? ›

The two are mostly interchangeable in recipes, but dark brown sugar brings slightly more moisture and acidity to recipes, along with extra molasses flavor. Still, the difference largely comes down to taste and won't severely affect most baked goods.

What is the best alcohol to make an Old Fashioned with? ›

The old fashioned is a classic co*cktail that was invented in Louisville, KY. You can make it with bourbon, rye, or a blended whiskey. You can also substitute one sugar cube for the simple syrup.

Is an Old Fashioned better with simple syrup or sugar cube? ›

Use Rich Simple Syrup

The sugar cube is one Old Fashioned tradition that can definitely be skipped. While many recipes call for it, it offers no advantage over using a rich simple syrup and has several disadvantages. Most obviously, you have to find and buy sugar cubes and a muddler.

How do you make an Old Fashioned taste better? ›

The Dos and Don'ts of Making an Old Fashioned
  1. DO: Opt for a quality whiskey.
  2. DON'T: Dump a sugar packet in the glass.
  3. DO: Be tactful with bitters.
  4. DON'T: Add soda water.
  5. DON'T: Muddle your cherries.
  6. DO: Add an orange peel, if you'd like.
  7. DO: Use large ice cubes.
  8. DON'T: Shake the co*cktail.
Jan 24, 2018

What does ordering an Old Fashioned say about you? ›

Dating back to the 1800s, the Old Fashioned was a popular drink served at Gentlemen's Clubs and is often associated with an aristocratic and more mature drinker.

What's the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned? ›

What is the best bourbon for making an Old Fashioned? If you're looking to make a delicious Old Fashioned co*cktail, some top choices for bourbon are the Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity, and Larceny Straight Bourbon.

How many dashes of bitters are in an Old Fashioned? ›

The OLD FASHIONED - Angostura. “A thing of austere beauty: a lump of sugar, dissolved with a little water and two dashes of bitters, whiskey, a bit of ice and a lemon peel garnish.” Brad Thomas Parsons. Simple, and elegant, the Old Fashioned remains a classic in the co*cktail world.

What whiskey goes best in Old Fashioned? ›

Best Overall Bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Old Grand Dad 114

Old Grand Dad 114 earns our distinction of the best bourbon for old fashioned. Orange zest, cinnamon, and burnt sugar are the signature tasting notes of Old Grand Dad 114 Proof .

Can I use old fashioned brown sugar instead of light brown sugar? ›

Can you substitute dark brown sugar for light brown sugar? In general, yes, the sugars are interchangeable in most recipes. Especially in most standard baking recipes that call for a mix of sugars like cookies and/or when brown sugar isn't the star ingredient for flavor, you can use one versus the other.

Does using brown sugar make a difference? ›

While they are produced differently, resulting in distinct tastes, colors, and culinary uses, brown sugar is often simply processed white sugar with molasses. Contrary to common belief, they are nutritionally similar. Brown sugar contains slightly more minerals than white sugar but will not provide any health benefits.

Why use brown sugar instead of white? ›

Substituting brown sugar for white sugar will be a win if you prefer softer and chewier cookies over crispier ones since the molasses lends that extra moistness.

Is brown sugar still good hard? ›

Essentially, brown sugar hardens when moisture evaporates due to aging or improper storage. But hardened sugar is still safe to eat and use—you just have to soften it back up to a usable texture. If your recipe has the sugar dissolving or melting into a liquid, you can actually use the hardened stuff without issue.

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