Gingerbread Old Fashioned Recipe

by | Nov 15, 2025 | Cocktail Recipes, Holiday Cocktails, Seasonal Cocktails

Gingerbread Old Fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass with ice, orange peel, cinnamon stick, and gingerbread cookie garnish, set on a wooden surface with warm golden holiday lights in the background and Bartend Long Island watermark at the bottom right.
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This Gingerbread Old Fashioned is a warm, spiced twist on the classic whiskey cocktail. It blends bourbon with homemade or store-bought gingerbread syrup, aromatic bitters, and a hint of orange for a winter drink that tastes like gingerbread cookies in a glass. Perfect for Christmas parties, holiday dinners, or fireside sipping.

It only takes five minutes to make, but the flavor is deep, cozy, and complex—thanks to notes of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and clove that pair beautifully with bourbon. If you love classic Old Fashioneds, this Christmas version will immediately become your seasonal go-to.

  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Total time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail
  • Difficulty: Easy

Gingerbread Old Fashioned Ingredients

  • 2 oz bourbon (or rye whiskey)
  • 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2–3 dashes aromatic or orange bitters
  • 1 large ice cube or ice sphere
  • Orange peel
  • Optional: star anise or cinnamon stick

Optional Homemade Gingerbread Syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Tools

  • Mixing glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Jigger
  • Peeler
  • Rocks glass

How to Make a Gingerbread Old Fashioned

  1. Chill your glass.
    Place a rocks glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
  2. Add ingredients to a mixing glass.
    Add bourbon, gingerbread syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
  3. Stir until chilled.
    Stir for 20–25 seconds until the mixture is very cold and properly diluted.
  4. Strain over a large ice cube.
    Dump the ice water from your chilled rocks glass, place a large cube inside, and strain the cocktail over it.
  5. Express and garnish.
    Express an orange peel over the glass to release the oils, then drop it in. Add a cinnamon stick or star anise if desired.

Pro Bartender Tips

  • Use a high-quality bourbon. The fewer ingredients a drink has, the more the spirit matters.
  • Don’t skip the orange peel. It balances the molasses and spice in the gingerbread syrup.
  • Use a large ice cube. It melts slower and keeps your drink from diluting too quickly.
  • Add bitters slowly. Two dashes is plenty—gingerbread syrup is strong and doesn’t need a heavy hand.

Gingerbread Old Fashioned Variations

  • Gingerbread Maple Old Fashioned: Replace some syrup with maple for a richer winter flavor.
  • Smoky Gingerbread Old Fashioned: Use mezcal or smoked bourbon for a campfire twist.
  • Chocolate Gingerbread Old Fashioned: Add 1 dash chocolate bitters.
  • Gingerbread Rye Old Fashioned: Swap bourbon for rye for extra spice and dryness.
  • Zero-Proof Gingerbread Old Fashioned: Use NA whiskey alternative + gingerbread syrup + NA bitters.

Gingerbread Old Fashioned FAQs

What is a Gingerbread Old Fashioned?

A Gingerbread Old Fashioned is a winter variation of the classic cocktail made with bourbon, gingerbread syrup, and bitters. It has warm notes of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, making it a perfect Christmas whiskey drink.

What does gingerbread syrup taste like?

Gingerbread syrup tastes like a liquid gingerbread cookie—molasses-forward with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. It blends beautifully with bourbon and adds depth to winter cocktails.

Can I make a Gingerbread Old Fashioned without homemade syrup?

Yes! Store-bought gingerbread syrup works well and saves time. Look for brands that include real spices and molasses for the best flavor.

What whiskey works best?

A smooth bourbon with caramel and vanilla notes works best. Rye whiskey is great if you prefer a spicier, drier cocktail.

How sweet is a Gingerbread Old Fashioned?

This cocktail is mildly sweet—less sugary than many holiday drinks. Adjust sweetness by adding more or less syrup based on your preference.

Can I batch a Gingerbread Old Fashioned?

Yes. Mix bourbon, gingerbread syrup, and bitters in a ratio of 4:1 syrup to bourbon. Store chilled and pour over ice, adding a fresh orange peel per drink.

Are Gingerbread bitters required?

No, but a dash of aromatic or orange bitters enhances the spice and helps balance the sweetness.

More Christmas Whiskey Cocktails

Gingerbread Old Fashioned Video

Our step-by-step video for this recipe will appear here once published.

Nutrition (Estimated)

  • Calories: 165
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Carbs: 10 g
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Sodium: 2 mg
  • Protein: 0 g