The Christmas Old Fashioned – an Elevated Holiday Cocktail

When it comes to Christmas cocktails, it’s often about red and green drinks, candy canes and other holiday-themed garnishes, and eggnog—so much eggnog. While these festive sippers are undoubtedly delicious, most are quite sugary. Some are straight-up gimmicky, favoring presentation over taste.

Then there’s the Christmas Old Fashioned—a welcome departure from the usual holiday tipple.

It’s hard to improve on a cocktail like the Old Fashioned. But a few Christmas-inspired ingredients elevate this enduring classic, making it perfect for that rarest of things during the holidays – a few quiet moments to yourself.

Let me paint a scene for you…

Long after the last gift has been delivered, Santa kicks his boots off and collapses into his favorite chair by a crackling fire. Mrs. Claus comes in to join him, the sound of clinking ice cubes as she walks. She sets down a small tray on the table between their chairs.

Santa picks up one of the glasses from the tray and swirls the amber liquid. The cut crystal catches the light of the fire, a fat orange peel mingling with the ice.

Mrs. Claus sits down next to her husband, taking the other glass. Watching the fire dance merrily, they both take a sip.

“Aaaaaaaaaagh,” they sigh at the same time, sinking deeper into their chairs.

They chuckle at their synchronized delight.

“Good Christmas?” Mrs. Claus asks.

“Yeah.” Santa says, “Yeah, it was.”

That’s the Christmas Old Fashioned.

Christmas Flavors Refined

In a season famous for indulgence, this cocktail is meant to be sipped slowly and savored. It starts by swapping out a sugar cube or simple syrup for Spiced Christmas Syrup. Don’t worry, it’s easy to make. One batch will see you through writing Christmas cards, Cousin Eddie’s arrival in Christmas Vacation and washing the bedding after all your blessed relatives finally go home.

I wanted to bring the flavors of Christmas to this classic cocktail in a more nuanced fashion.

The heat of the bourbon mingles with the natural smokiness of maple syrup. As the whiskey and maple peak, you notice bright orange, both on the nose and the palate, the oil from the peel and, is that anise? Clove? What is that? Before you can figure it out, cinnamon warms the back of your throat, finishing off the experience.

For the cinnamon-leery, we’re not talking about the hot burn found in that abomination – Fireball Whisky – we’re talking about the warm baking spice that makes apple pie and snickerdoodle cookies so comforting.

All in all, the Christmas Old Fashioned is balanced and smooth; the perfect excuse to cancel your plans and stay in with a good book or Christmas movie.

Spiced Christmas Syrup

• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces. I use Ceylon cinnamon in my mulling spices and cocktails; it’s far superior in flavor and doesn’t leave an acrid bark taste.)
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 star anise pod

1. In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup and water over medium heat. Whisk to blend, then stir in the spices.
2. Once the mixture begins to bubble, lower heat to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally for six minutes.
3. Remove from heat and allow the spiced syrup to cool completely before straining into a clean jar. Lid, label and date it. Refrigerated, the syrup will keep for a month.

The Christmas Old Fashioned

• 1 tablespoon Spiced Christmas Syrup (from above)
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1-2 dashes Old Fashioned Bitters, or your spiced fruit bitters, such as orange or cherry
• 1 cup ice or large ice sphere
• 1.5 ounces good bourbon or American-style whiskey from your favorite local distillery
• 2 wide orange peels, no pith

An Old Fashioned is built in the glass, which is good because Christmas is nuts enough without dirtying more dishes.

1. Grab your favorite rocks glass. Add the Spiced Christmas syrup, water and bitters, then the ice. Swirl to incorporate.
2. Pour your bourbon into the glass, then swirl again.
3. Cut two nice, wide orange peels from a washed orange. You want to keep your cut thin so you don’t get the bitter pith. We’re aiming for straight zest here. Hold one peel right above the glass and twist it to release some of the orange oil. Now lightly wipe the rim of the glass with the peel. Add the unmangled orange peel to the drink for the garnish.

Sit back, sip and enjoy. Happy holidays, my friend.