Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Help usher in the cooler months each year with this seasonal variation of the old-school classic.

You always know when summer is really, truly over when everything a human can eat and drink has pumpkin spice added to it. Coffee, cookies, cakes, and even roasted vegetables get in on the autumnal action. I’ve yet to run afoul of pumpkin spiced-flavored lemonade or cola, but I’m sure something like that is out there.

With pumpkin spice being consistently popular year after year, it was only a matter of time before it landed in someone’s cocktail. And lucky for us, one of those adult beverages happens to be the perfect fit… the Old Fashioned. Created in the mid-1700s around the time bitters first appeared, the drink became known as the Old Fashioned around the late 1800s, when bar goers at that time would order their whiskey drinks the “old fashioned way”. The moniker has stuck ever since.

With its mixture of bourbon or rye and bitters, I’ve always found the Old Fashioned to be a fairly hearty drink. Its strong and robust taste lends itself to thoughtful sipping on cold winter nights next to a roaring fire. On one particularly chilly night here in Los Angeles, I found myself at a bar called Idle Hour, which looks like a giant whiskey barrel. I was served an Old Fashioned garnished with the thickest slice of bacon I’d ever seen. And not only was the bacon delicious (and bourbon soaked), but the drink worked so well with the hearty, smoky flavor of the meat.

While that not be to everyone’s tastes or lifestyle, it proved to me that if an Old Fashioned can be just as good with a breakfast meat in it, pumpkin spice will most definitely add an extra layer of sweet, cold weather flavor to keep you warm.

To fizz or not to fizz?

Our recipe for the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned has an optional element to it; club soda. When I made myself this cocktail to test drive it, I made one with the soda and one without. I found the carbonated water lightened the flavor a little and brightened the whole serving. If you feel the drink itself is a little strong, flavor-wise, topping it off with club soda or even a light tonic is a great option.

What is the best alcohol to use to make a Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned?

With this or any version of the Old Fashioned, the booze you use is all a matter of personal preference and taste. For spirits such as these, I usually prefer a rye whiskey for sipping or mixing. When I made the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned I opted to go with a good, top-shelf bourbon, and the cinnamon garnish was the perfect flavor compliment to the golden brown liquor. The pumpkin and other fall flavors blend so effortlessly with the aged alcohol that you’ll think it was distilled and infused that way.

What kind glass and garnish do you use for a Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned?

A rocks glass is the best looking way to serve or drink your Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned. It’ll hold the perfect sized cocktail ice cube and the cinnamon stick garnish will stick out just enough to have people take notice and ask what you’re drinking.

What is the best pumpkin syrup to use?

There are plenty of pumpkin spice-infused syrups out there to choose from, or you can try your hand at whipping up a homemade recipe by heating water, brown sugar and 100% pure pumpkin puree over the stove… not pumpkin pie mix.

Can you only drink this during the Fall/Autumn?

There’s no hard or fast rule that limits where and when you can enjoy any seasonal drink. If you’re at a pool party over the summer and everyone is enjoying Frozen Daiquiris, why not shake things up by asking for a Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned? You’ll definitely be remembered.

Similar cocktails to the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned

If the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned filled you with comfy, cozy and even spooky Autumn/Halloween vibes, then you’ll most assuredly want to check out a few more cocktails from Twist and Toast that will keep those leaves changing color in your imagination:

• Apple Cider Old Fashioned – Another fall favorite variation on the classic cocktail. Tart apple cider adds an extra kick to this drink.
• Smoked Old Fashioned – I explore this noirish, smoky version of the Old Fashioned. A drink you won’t soon forget.
• Tequila Old Fashioned – Give your Old Fashioned some Southwestern flair and flavor by using tequila as the base. You won’t be disappointed.
• Classic Old Fashioned – Not sure where to begin with all of these tasty variations on this legendary libation? Start with the classic!