The Old Fashioned is built to be left alone, which is exactly why a seasonal twist feels so fun. Here, pumpkin spice syrup takes the place of the sugar cube, so the drink keeps its classic backbone of whiskey, sweetener, and bitters while picking up cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. Think of it as pumpkin spice season for people who want the bourbon to stay the star.
A Little History
The Old Fashioned goes back to the early 1800s, when a New York publication in 1806 defined a “cock-tail” as spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. By the 1880s, drinkers who asked for the “old fashioned” way wanted that original formula, without the fussy additions of the era. Louisville’s Pendennis Club is often credited as the birthplace, though like many cocktail origin stories, that one is still debated. You can find it among its peers in my guide to 30 of the best classic cocktails everyone should know, and my Bourbon Old Fashioned covers the traditional version.
Pumpkin spice itself is a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and allspice, long used in pumpkin pie before the coffeehouse latte turned it into a seasonal phenomenon in the early 2000s. Bourbon’s vanilla and caramel notes already speak the language of fall baking, so the pairing makes perfect sense.
Tips
- Taste your syrup first. Brands vary in sweetness and spice. Start with ½ oz and adjust from there.
- Pick a bourbon with backbone. A higher-proof bourbon holds its own against the sweet spice and keeps the drink from tasting like dessert.
- Use one large ice cube. It melts slowly, so the drink stays cold and balanced from the first sip to the last.
- Express the orange peel. Twist it over the glass so the citrus oils land on the surface. They brighten the spice beautifully.
- Go easy on the bitters. Angostura already carries its own clove and cinnamon notes, which echo the syrup.
Variations
- Rye version. Swap the bourbon for rye for a drier, peppery drink that plays up the ginger and clove.
- Maple pumpkin. Replace half the syrup with maple syrup for a deeper, rounder sweetness. My Salted Honey Old Fashioned shows how well a swapped sweetener can work.
- Spiced rum twist. Use an aged rum in place of bourbon for a softer, more tropical take.
- Orchard cousins. The Spiced Apple Cider Old Fashioned and the Baked Apple Old Fashioned are two more ways to bring fall flavors into the glass.
- More for the season. Browse my roundup of the best fall cocktails for what to pour next.
Why Lush Life Loves It
Pumpkin spice gets teased, but the flavors behind it, cinnamon, ginger, clove, and nutmeg, have always been good friends of aged whiskey. The syrup stands in for the sugar, so there are no extra steps, and the bitters keep the sweetness in check. The result is a drink that feels seasonal without losing its backbone. This is still a whiskey, sweetener, and bitters drink, just one that makes the first chilly evening feel like an occasion.
Here is the recipe
Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce pumpkin spice syrup (Monin or Tioani)
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
- Garnish: cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a mixing glass
- Add ice
- Stir 30 seconds (or until desired dilution is reached
- Strain into an ice filled rocks glass
- Garnish with cinnamon stick
Nutrition
Pumpkin Spiced Old Fashioned
Meet the Pumpkin Spiced Old Fashioned: bourbon, pumpkin spice syrup, and bitters for an easy fall twist. Recipe, tips, history, and variations.
Cook Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes | Course: Cocktails | Cuisine: American | Servings: 1
Equipment
- Bar Spoon
- Cocktail Jigger
- Large Ice Cube Tray
- Rocks Glasses
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce pumpkin spice syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: orange peel, plus a cinnamon stick if you like
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, pumpkin spice syrup, and bitters to a rocks glass filled with ice
- Stir until chilled
- Twist the orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in