Bourbon old fashioned

Bourbon Old Fashioned doesn’t need much to make its point. A good pour of Jim Beam Original, a little sweetness, a few dashes of bitters and orange oils over ice. That’s it. Simple, sturdy and spirit-forward, just the way a classic bourbon cocktail should be.

Easy
3-5 min
Spirit-forward

ingredients and how to craft

What You Need

parts

2 Jim Beam
¼ part (oz) Simple or Demarara Syrup
Angostura bitters
Garnish with Orange Peel, oils expressed over drink

HOW TO CRAFT ONE SERVE

Step 1

Measure: In a mixing glass with ice, add 1/4 part of Simple or Demerara Syrup, 2 parts Jim Beam, and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters.

Step 2

Stir: Gently stir a few times to mix the ingredients, and then straining into a rocks glass with ice.

Step 3

Garnish: Squeeze an orange peel over the cocktail to release its oils, and garnish drink with same peel.

Serve and enjoy your delicious Old Fashioned made with Jim Beam bourbon!

Complete your cocktail with

What is an Old Fashioned?

An Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail made with whiskey, bitters, a touch of sugar or syrup, ice and citrus oils. Simple as that. No big tricks, no cover-up—just a proper way to bring out the character of the whiskey in the glass. In our version, bourbon leads with smooth notes of caramel, vanilla and oak, while Angostura bitters and orange peel add just enough spice and brightness to keep every sip balanced.

This recipe is a bourbon Old Fashioned, which gives the drink a rounder, slightly sweeter profile. But the Old Fashioned can also be made with rye whiskey for a Rye Old Fashioned recipe. Using rye whiskey offers a spicier, more peppery foundation than bourbon, with a little less sweetness and a bolder edge. Try it with Jim Beam Rye when you want the same classic Old Fashioned cocktail with a little more bite.

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A Perfect Bourbon Old Fashioned Recipe Built for Cooler Nights

Some cocktails are made for rushing. An Old Fashioned is not one of them. With Jim Beam Bourbon, bitters, a touch of sweetness and orange oils over ice, it’s the kind of drink that fits when the night slows down—whether you’re settling in after dinner, catching up with friends, or making one good cocktail instead of overthinking the whole thing.

Its smooth bourbon character, oak, spice and citrus lift make it an easy fit for fall whiskey cocktails, too. Think crisp evenings, richer meals, and the kind of serve that feels right when the weather starts to turn.

Best Jim Beam Bourbons for an Old Fashioned Cocktail

For a traditional bourbon Old Fashioned, Jim Beam Original is the right place to start. Its smooth notes of caramel, vanilla and oak bring the round bourbon character this cocktail needs, while a little spice keeps the finish from feeling too sweet. With just bitters, syrup and orange peel in the mix, there’s nowhere for the whiskey to hide—so our Kentucky Straight Bourbon keeps the drink balanced, familiar and easy to enjoy.

Looking for a bourbon cocktail with a twist on the classic? That’s where Jim Beam Black comes in. Aged longer for a fuller, smoother profile, it brings richer notes of caramel, warm oak, vanilla and baking spice—the kind of depth that works especially well in an Old Fashioned Breeze. This whiskey cocktail takes the Old Fashioned idea and brightens it up with citrus, cranberry, sugar, bitters and a cherry garnish.

The result is still bourbon-forward, but with a fresher edge. Our black bourbon gives the drink its smooth oak-and-vanilla backbone, while orange and cranberry add a fruitier, more refreshing lift. It’s a good next step when you like the structure of a classic Old Fashioned, but want something a little brighter in the glass.