Hurry—our Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Sale is your final chance to get 30% off and free shipping on orders over $35! Order by 12/14 to ensure delivery just in time for Christmas Eve. Don’t miss out on these festive favorites!
Best Old Fashioned Syrup Mix – Rich Cocktails in Your Comfy Home
The Old Fashioned is perfect for home entertaining—simple, customizable, and always sophisticated. What truly elevates it is the syrup. Liquid Alchemist syrups and HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup turn this classic from basic to intentional, adding depth and character. Pair them with premium spirits or flavors like Liquid Alchemist Peach, Falernum, or HipStirs Cranberry Pie for Old Fashioneds that feel seasonal, personal, and refined.
In this guide, you’ll explore five essential Old Fashioned variations that show how different spirits and syrups create unique drinking experiences. Whether you prefer whiskey, tequila, or rum, there’s an Old Fashioned here that perfectly matches your taste.
Understanding the Old Fashioned: Spirit, Syrup, and Balance
The Old Fashioned’s structural perfection—spirit, sweetness, bitters, and dilution in harmony—is why it endures. Each component matters.
The Spirit’s Role:
Rye brings spice and complexity. Bourbon delivers warmth and oak. Scotch adds smokiness. Reposado tequila introduces agave sweetness. Your spirit choice determines the drink’s personality.
The Syrup’s Importance:
Traditional Old Fashioneds use simple syrup plus a sugar cube—one-dimensional sweetness. HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup carries complexity: vanilla, oak, and subtle spice. When layered with Peach, Falernum, or Cranberry Pie, you’re creating flavor architecture instead of just making a drink.
Dilution and Bitters:
Stirring with ice provides necessary dilution. Aromatic bitters add backbone. Together, they create balance and intentionality that serious drinkers appreciate.
Shop HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup at $14.99 and start exploring this classic cocktail.
The Classic Rye Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- ¼ oz HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Large ice cube
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
Pour rye and HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup into a rocks glass with a single large ice cube. Add aromatic bitters. Stir gently for 5-10 seconds to combine and slightly dilute. Express an orange peel over the drink’s surface to release aromatic oils, then drop it in as garnish.
Why It Works:
Rye’s natural spice complements HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup’s vanilla and oak notes. The orange peel adds brightness that prevents the drink from feeling heavy. This is the foundational Old Fashioned—the one you return to again and again because it’s perfectly balanced and endlessly satisfying.
The Comfy Home Factor:
This is the drink you make on a quiet evening, settle into your favorite chair, and sip slowly. It’s uncomplicated, elegant, and asks nothing except presence.
The Reposado Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Reposado Tequila
- ¼ oz HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup
- Large ice cube
- Grapefruit peel for garnish
Instructions:
Combine Reposado Tequila and HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup in a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Stir for 5-10 seconds to combine and dilute. Express a grapefruit peel over the drink and garnish with the peel.
Why It Works:
Reposado tequila’s agave sweetness and subtle wood notes interact beautifully with HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup. The grapefruit peel adds citrus brightness that echoes the tequila’s natural characteristics. This is the Old Fashioned for someone who wants sophistication without whiskey’s weight. The result feels refined and contemporary while honoring Old Fashioned tradition.
The Comfy Home Factor:
This variation works in warm weather or when you want something lighter than whiskey. It’s the drink you make when celebrating something specific rather than just winding down.
First-time order? Use code TRYUS for 25% OFF + Free Shipping—perfect for exploring different syrup combinations and spirits.
The Cranberry Pie Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz single malt Scotch (unpeated preferred)
- ¼ oz HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup
- ¼ oz HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
Build all ingredients into a rocks glass filled with ice. Stir until very cold. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist.
Why It Works:
This variation uses two HipStirs syrups together—Cranberry Pie adds tartness and festive character, while Old Fashioned Syrup provides the classic structure. Single malt Scotch (especially unpeated varieties) has enough complexity to dance with both syrups without becoming muddled. The cranberry adds unexpected depth while the Scotch’s subtle smokiness prevents it from tasting too fruity. This is a sophisticated winter drink that feels intentional and seasonal.
The Comfy Home Factor:
Make this during colder months when you want something celebratory but grounded. The tartness from cranberry makes it feel lighter, while the Scotch keeps it substantial. It’s the cozy Scottish whisky bar feeling without leaving home.
Cranberry Pie is currently on sale! Shop HipStirs Cranberry Pie Syrup at $12.74 (on sale from $14.99).
The Winter Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¼ oz Liquid Alchemist Falernum Syrup
- ¼ oz HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 dash cacao bitters
- Large ice cube
- Dried orange wheel for garnish
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients together in a rocks glass, then pour over a large ice cube. Garnish with a dried orange wheel.
Why It Works:
This is a sophisticated, warming Old Fashioned that captures winter’s essence. Falernum brings warm spices (think clove, nutmeg, allspice) that feel seasonal and comforting. HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup provides classic structure. Cacao bitters add subtle chocolate undertones that complement both the spice and bourbon’s oak. The dried orange wheel adds visual drama and aromatic complexity. This drink tastes like winter feels—cozy, sophisticated, and warming from the inside out.
The Comfy Home Factor:
This is the definitive winter Old Fashioned. Make this when the temperature drops, when you’ve got a fire going, and when you want something that feels luxurious and self-indulgent. It’s the drink you make on a night when you’re truly settling in and prioritizing comfort without sacrificing quality.
Old Fashioned Technique: What Actually Matters
The Old Fashioned’s simplicity is deceptive—technique genuinely impacts the final drink.
Ice Quality:
Use one large ice cube rather than multiple small cubes. Large ice melts slowly, maintaining proper dilution without over-watering the drink. If you don’t have large ice, use several large cubes rather than crushed ice.
Stirring:
Stir for 5-10 seconds to chill the drink and achieve slight dilution from melting ice. This is intentional—the dilution makes the drink smoother and more balanced. Don’t shake an Old Fashioned; stirring preserves the drink’s elegance and texture.
Temperature:
Pre-chill your glass if possible, or fill it with ice while you prepare the drink, then discard it before pouring. An Old Fashioned should be very cold, but not so cold that it numbs your palate.
Bitters Placement:
Add bitters to the glass before the spirit. This distributes them evenly. The tiny amount of bitters matters enormously—they’re your drink’s backbone.
Garnish as Flavor:
Express your citrus peel over the drink’s surface to release aromatic oils. These oils add genuine flavor and aroma, not just visual appeal. Drop the peel in as a garnish so you encounter it as you drink.
Why Home Old Fashioneds Matter
- Cost Efficiency: A home Old Fashioned costs $2–$4 versus $12–$18 at a bar—major savings that go toward better ingredients, not overhead.
Customization: You control sweetness, spirit, bitters, and garnish, creating a drink that matches your exact taste.
Skill Building: Making Old Fashioneds teaches core cocktail skills—chilling, dilution, balance—which improve every drink you make.
Mindfulness: The process becomes a calming ritual: measuring, stirring, expressing citrus, and being fully present.
Premium Ingredients: At home, you can use top-tier spirits and craft syrups that bars may not carry, giving you better flavor and more creative freedom.
Premium craft syrups like HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup make this possible, delivering bar-quality results without any complexity.
Ready to Master the Old Fashioned at Home?
The Old Fashioned is the perfect drink for home entertaining because it’s sophisticated enough to impress yourself and others, yet simple enough to make repeatedly without stress. With HipStirs syrups and the right spirits, you can create variations that feel personal, seasonal, and intentional.
Explore all HipStirs syrups to start building your Old Fashioned collection. Sign up to get our free Cocktail Recipe Guide for additional Old Fashioned variations, technique tips, and professional bartending guidance. Your home bar is about to become your favorite place to drink.
FAQs
What’s the difference between HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup and simple syrup?
Simple syrup is just sugar and water—one-dimensional sweetness. HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup carries notes of vanilla, oak, and spice that echo premium bourbon. It adds complexity and depth, making your Old Fashioned taste intentional rather than basic.
Can I make an Old Fashioned without ice?
Technically, yes, but you shouldn’t. The ice serves two purposes: it chills the drink to the proper serving temperature and provides necessary dilution. Without ice, an Old Fashioned tastes overly spirited and unbalanced.
Which spirits work best with HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup?
Rye, bourbon, Scotch, Reposado tequila, and aged rum all work beautifully. Avoid very light or delicate spirits—they get overwhelmed. Choose spirits with enough character to stand up to the syrup’s complexity.
Can I layer multiple Liquid Alchemist syrups in one Old Fashioned?
Absolutely! The Cranberry Pie and Peach variations demonstrate this beautifully. The key is balance—use ¼ oz of each syrup rather than stacking too many flavors.
How long does HipStirs Old Fashioned Syrup last once opened?
HipStirs syrups keep for months in the refrigerator once opened. The 8oz bottle provides multiple drinks without waste.
Are there non-alcoholic Old Fashioned options?
Yes! Omit the spirit and add additional water or sparkling water for volume. Use the same syrup ratios. Add bitters for complexity. It’s a sophisticated mocktail that honors Old Fashioned tradition.
Should I use online recipe guides or experiment on my own?
Both! Use recipes as starting points, then adjust to your preference. The beauty of making cocktails at home is complete control. If you prefer your Old Fashioned sweeter, add a touch more syrup. If you want more spirit presence, reduce the syrup slightly.
Can I batch Old Fashioneds for a party?
Yes! Mix the spirits and syrups in advance, store them in the refrigerator, and build individual drinks over ice just before serving. This preserves the drink’s quality while allowing you to prepare ahead.
