Cinnamon Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

The Cinnamon Old Fashioned is a riff on a classic whiskey cocktail, the Old Fashioned, that features bourbon, Angostura bitters, and a flavorful cinnamon syrup in lieu of granulated sugar.

The Old Fashioned, originally called the Whiskey Cocktail in the late 1700s, is one of the most elemental cocktails. It’s template is built on three ingredients — a spirit, a sweetener, and a bitter — which, in the original, mean typically bourbon, pure sugar, and Angostura bitters. 

A riff on the classic formula, the Cinnamon Old Fashioned gets its sweetness from a cinnamon syrup made by steeping whole cinnamon sticks in simple syrup as it simmers. The syrup is viscous enough to add body and richness to the cocktail without being too thick to blend seamlessly into the drink. 

Orange and cinnamon are a classic combination; squeeze the orange peel garnish over the drink to express the aromatic oils over the rim of the glass. For a sweeter drink with a more powerful spice flavor, add another teaspoon of cinnamon syrup.

Why the Cinnamon Old Fashioned works

While some riffs on classic cocktails take more liberties when it comes to changing the original specs of the recipe, this cinnamon-flavored version respects the standard amounts and ingredients used in the classic. 

The classic Old Fashioned has caramel flavors from the bourbon and peppery aromas from the bitters, making it a perfect base for adding cinnamon’s warm, spiced notes. And while Angostura bitters are the traditional bitters to use in an Old Fashioned, the cinnamon-forward flavor profile of Angostura makes it a prime partner to cinnamon syrup in this drink.