RestaurantsBalboa CafeSpiced Old Fashioned Recipe

Spiced Old Fashioned Recipe

Inspired by Balboa Cafe
Time45m
Serves1

buffalo trace bourbon spiced syrup, angostura orange bitters

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Cocktail

Spiced Simple Syrup (makes ~1 cup)

Method

Spiced Simple Syrup (makes ~1 cup)

1

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat.

2

Add the cinnamon stick, allspice berries, star anise, cloves, sliced ginger, and orange peel to the pan.

3

Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 8–10 minutes to infuse the spices — do not boil vigorously (a gentle simmer preserves bright citrus notes).

4

Remove from heat and let the syrup steep with the spices for 20–30 minutes to deepen flavor.

5

Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof container, pressing gently on solids to extract flavor. Discard solids. Cool to room temperature before using. Syrup can be refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

Cocktail

6

Chill Glass

If desired, chill an old fashioned or rocks glass by filling with ice and water while you prepare the cocktail; discard before pouring.

7

Place a large ice cube in the chilled old fashioned glass.

8

Add 0.5 oz spiced simple syrup to the glass.

9

Add 2 oz Buffalo Trace bourbon into the glass over the ice.

10

Add 3 dashes Angostura orange bitters and 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters.

11

Stir gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 15–20 full turns) to properly chill, dilute, and integrate the syrup and bitters with the bourbon.

12

Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down about 2–3 inches above the glass and giving it a firm quick squeeze; rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink as garnish.

13

Serve immediately.