This cherry old-fashioned is rich and slightly fruity. It’s a lovely twist on the classic that adds fresh cherry flavor without losing the bourbon warmth. The cherry syrup and bitters keep everything balanced and smooth.

A glass of pink-hued drink with ice, a cherry, and an orange slice, on a light-colored surface. Two cherries are blurred in the background.

About this cherry old fashioned

The cherry old-fashioned is a fruity spin on the classic old-fashioned, made with bourbon, muddled fresh cherries, cherry simple syrup, just a tiny splash of lemon juice, and Angostura bitters. It’s a simple cocktail to make at home.

The classic old-fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails around, and it’s really just whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a citrus twist. This version keeps that same style but layers in cherry flavor two ways: first through muddled fresh cherries and second through a cherry simple syrup. The result is a drink that still feels like a proper old-fashioned, just with a prettier color and a little bit of fruitiness.

I like using a good mid-range bourbon here. Something with a bit of sweetness and vanilla notes works well with the cherry. Rye would work too if you prefer something spicier and drier.

How to make

Add the cherries, cherry simple syrup, and lemon juice to a rocks glass. Muddle them gently to release the juices.
Strain the chilled bourbon into the rocks glass over fresh ice.
Add the bitters and give it a little stir to combine.
Express an orange twist over the drink by holding it over the glass and giving it a good squeeze to release the oils. Drop it in or balance it on the rim.

A close-up of a glass with a geometric pattern, containing a red liquid being mixed with a muddler. The liquid has a thick consistency and appears to contain small seeds or fruit particles. The background is a gray surface.

A hand pours a deep red liquid from a cocktail shaker into a glass filled with amber-colored liquid and ice. Two cherries rest on the grey counter surface nearby. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the drink preparation.

Tips

Muddle the cherries gently. You want to press the cherries enough to release their juice, but not so hard that you’re crushing the skins into pulp.
Use large ice cubes. A single large cube or a few big pieces will melt slower than small cubes, so your drink stays cold without getting watered down too quickly. Adjust the sweetness. If you like it sweeter, add a splash more cherry syrup. If it’s too sweet, cut back a bit or add another dash of bitters.
Use good bourbon. This drink is mainly bourbon, so the quality really matters. You don’t need anything fancy, but reach for something you enjoy drinking.

A clear glass with a red cocktail and ice sits on a gray surface. A slice of orange peel is inside the glass. Three cherries are scattered in the background on the table. The backdrop is a white, tiled wall.

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