Meatless Monday Challenge

New Old-Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon

on April 15, 2020
last updated April 22, 2024
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This New Fashioned is an herbaceous twist on a classic favorite—the Old Fashioned—with the distinct flavor of honey and fresh aromatics of rosemary.
pouring bourbon into old fashioned glass with whiskey ice

Ready to try something new? This New Old-Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon uses the basics from a classic Old-Fashioned but gives it a modern and refreshing twist.

Yes, yes I know the rule. If it’s not broken don’t fix it.

And while I respect the Classic Old Fashioned as much as any other fellow whiskey-lover, I also think cocktails are a great opportunity to experiment!

This bourbon cocktail is an incredible way to mix it up because, well, you deserve a little surprise and delight every now and then. It’ll soon be your new favorite go-to whiskey cocktail.

As an environmental scientist, I try hard to keep my ecological footprint low, and one of the best ways to do so is to grow your own veggies, fruits, and herbs!

Green tip: Homegrown herbs have zero associated food miles, no pesky plastic packaging, and are free of damaging fertilizers and chemicals. Plus, they are just so fresh and flavorful.

And surplus herbs mean lots of fresh cocktails at my house!

What Makes This New Fashioned Cocktail Special?


It’s All In the Ingredients

orange peel, rosemary, honey, bitter, bourbon

Well, the first and most obvious reason is because of BOURBON. This drink is all about making that bourbon shine. Bourbon naturally has strong hints of vanilla and caramel.

Honey and vanilla are actually a really common pairing. You’ll find it in cereal, ice cream, yogurt, lattes, tea… the list goes on. The honey in this cocktail complements the bourbon perfectly.

Adding rosemary gives it a strong, earthy note that provides much-needed freshness in contrast to the sweet honey and bourbon.

Honey Dripping off of honey dipper into a whiskey cocktail

While most herbs can be substituted successfully in this cocktail, rosemary is a great choice because it has almost a piney flavor. The piney fragrance feels warm, another compliment to the natural feel of the bourbon.

And if you’re worried because you’re not bourbon-obsessed like me, have no fear! This cocktail, while very bourbon-forward, has enough elements of fresh, sweet, and floral to please any and everyone.

portrait of two reinvented classic new fashioned cocktails

New Old-Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon Tips and Tricks


Ice, Ice Baby

Like most cocktails, the New Fashioned taste may be compromised when the ice melts. If you really enjoy your cocktails, special ice trays are a great investment! We have these ice trays and absolutely love them! (P.s. this is an awesome gift idea 😊)

Shake It Up!

The honey is really sticky, so make sure you are shaking extra for this recipe, as it can sometimes stick to the bottom of your cocktail mixer!

Don’t Forget The Garnish

A lot of people skip the garnish when they are making drinks at home, but I highly recommend that one extra step! It adds to the flavor by lending a strong smell while you sip, and anyway, you deserve it!

Green tip: Growing your own herbs is a delicious way to reduce your environmental footprint. Homegrown herbs have zero associated food miles, no pesky plastic packaging, and are free of damaging fertilizers and chemicals. Plus, they are just so fresh and flavorful. Rosemary is very resilient and can be grown in your windowsill.

Honey Flying off honey dipper and landing on rosemary garnish

Why You Should Make This New Old-Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon


  • It’s unique! It’s in the name! Reinvented and new means creative flavors!
  • It’s aromatic. Between the rosemary and honey, you get a gorgeous flavor before you even sip.
  • It’s simple. Four ingredients make a big impact in this simple cocktail.

Bourbon-obsessed? (Hi friend 👋😂) Try these other bourbon-based recipes: Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce and Drunken Apple Pie with Bourbon Drizzle.

2 tumblers of old fashioned cocktails with garnish

New Old-Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon

4.7 from 6 votes
Marley Goldin
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The New Fashioned is a satisfying and delicious twist on the classic Old-Fashioned. This cocktail is deliciously made using bourbon, honey, and vanilla
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients
  

  • 2 sprigs rosemary (add more for garnish)
  • ½ ounce honey (½ oz = 1 tablespoon)
  • 5 drops bitters
  • 2 ounces bourbon (2 oz = ¼ cup)
  • ½ peel of an orange

Instructions
 

  • Muddle the rosemary and honey in a cocktail mixer.
  • Add a handful of ice, bourbon, and bitters into your cocktail mixer and stir (or shake!) well.
  • Prepare your glass with ice (optional) and an orange peel.
  • Pour your cocktail into your glass and garnish with extra rosemary.

Pro Tips

  • Like most cocktails, the New Old-Fashioned Cocktail taste may be compromised when its ice melts. If you really enjoy your cocktails, special ice trays are a great investment.
  • The honey is really sticky, so make sure you are shaking extra for this recipe, as it can sometimes stick to the bottom of your cocktail mixer.
  • A lot of people skip the garnish when they are making drinks at home, but I highly recommend that one extra step. It adds to the flavor by lending a strong smell while you sip, and anyway, you deserve it!

Video

Course Cocktails
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword Easy, Happy Hour, Old Fashioned, Whiskey
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3 thoughts on “New Old-Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon”

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4.67 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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