The Old Fashioned is my favorite classic cocktail. I love ordering it when dining out, and I often make them at home.

I have tried several options for Old Fashioned Mix (also called Old Fashioned Simple Syrup) and after some research, I strongly believe the most delicious mix you can use is homemade.

This recipe is simple and you can whip it up and enjoy it for weeks (or even months) in your fridge. Having this mix on hand makes mixing a cocktail faster and less messy. All you have to do is mix it with your spirit, shake, and pour over ice.

Related: If you’re already making some homemade syrups, why not try our Homemade Margarita Mix and Homemade Sour Mix recipes while you are at it?!

Old Fashioned Mix Ingredients

granulated white sugar
water
freshly squeezed clementine juice
maraschino cherries
cinnamon stick
aromatic and orange bitters

How to Make Old Fashioned Simple Syrup

In a sauce pan, combine 3 cups sugar, 2 cups water, and 1 cup freshly squeezed clementine juice. I used 5 clementines and a citrus juice hand press to juice them.

Next, add 5 maraschino cherries cut into halves and stems removed. Add one cinnamon stick. Let the mixture simmer on medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved into the water.

Next, remove the mixture from the heat and let it sit to cool and for the flavors to steep for one hour.

After the ingredients have steeped for one hour, add aromatic and orange bitters. I used about 50 drops of each bottle, or you can measure out 1/2 tablespoon of each bitter type.

Use a fine mesh strainer and a funnel to decant your syrup into a glass bottle. I used this bottle set for mine.

As a finishing touch, you can use rubber stamps to create a label like I did. This is especially useful if you are getting ready for a party where guests will serve themselves, or if you are making more than one type of syrup.

Tips for Mixing an Old Fashioned

To mix an Old Fashioned using this recipe, combine 2 ounces high quality bourbon and 1 ounce of mix. Stir and pour over a large ice cube to serve in a whiskey glass.
Garnish your drink with an orange wedge and a maraschino cherry.
If you are in the market for glassware that works great for an old fashioned, these glasses are great for whiskey cocktails.

An Old Fashioned Pairs Well With

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an Old Fashioned taste like?

An Old Fashioned is a sweet cocktail made with bourbon or rye. They are spirit forward (boozy) with a flavor of oranges and cherries.

How long does homemade simple syrup last?

Homemade simple syrups, like this recipe, will stay good in the refrigerator for at least a month. I often use them for a few months. If you notice them becoming cloudy, crystalizing, or the taste has changed it’s time to replace.

Homemade Old Fashioned Mix

Homemade mix recipe for making an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword cocktail mix, old fashioned, whiskey

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Steep Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings 12

Calories 212kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Ingredients

3 cups granulated white sugar
2 cups water
1 cup freshly squeezed clementine juice 5 clementine oranges
5 maraschino cherries
1 cinnamon stick
½ tablespoon aromatic bitters
½ tablespoon orange bitters

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Notes

If you don’t have clementines, you can uses oranges as a substitution.
If you prefer to add the cocktail bitters to each drink individually, omit them from this mix recipe.

Nutrition