This old-fashioned recipe is bold, balanced, and irresistibly smooth. Scotch whisky meets brown sugar simple syrup and Angostura bitters for a smoky-sweet twist on tradition. A classic cocktail perfect for cozy evenings!
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If you're more of a scotch person than a bourbon person, this one's for you. This old fashioned with scotch is smoky, subtly sweet, and effortlessly elegant. A drink that'll surely impress at small gatherings and celebrations, or just to wind down after a long day.
📖Why My Recipe Works
No need to make it complicated. My recipe is simple but thought out-without sacrificing flavor. My homemade syrup adds a rich, subtle sweetness that complements the scotch's earthy tones.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Scotch Whiskey - You can use any blended scotch or single malt scotch of your choice.
- Angostura Bitters - Just a dash of these aromatic bitters goes a long way. You can easily find this in grocery stores, but you can use other types of bitters as well.
- Demerara Syrup - My homemade demerara syrup is simple. Just mix brown sugar and water until dissolved.
- Orange Twist - Swap it with a maraschino cherry for a different twist.
⏲️How to Make a Scotch Old-Fashioned
- Use a wooden spoon or whisk to stir the sugar and water, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let it cool completely before using.
- Stir, not shake, the Scotch, syrup, and bitters together. Strain to remove any residue in a glass with large ice cubes.
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👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- The syrup can caramelize or burn easily in high heat. The heat should just be enough for the sugar to dissolve.
- Using a large ice cube helps keep the drink cold without watering it down.
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📖 Recipe Card
Scotch Old Fashioned with Brown Sugar Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 ounces scotch whiskey
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- ¼ ounce brown sugar syrup
- 1 orange twist for garnish
Demerara Syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- In a glass (or cocktail shaker), stir together the Scotch, syrup, and Angostura bitters.2 ounces scotch whiskey, ¼ ounce brown sugar syrup, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel twist.1 orange twist
Brown Sugar Syrup
- Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Do not bring the water to a boil. Let cool before using.½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup water
Notes
🌡️Storing Leftovers
- Brown sugar syrup will keep, refrigerated, for one month. Adding a small amount of vodka (< 1 teaspoon) will extend the shelf life.
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
Steve Wright says
Had great flavor and was easy to make.