I'm about to convert all of you into Old Fashioned lovers with this simple and delicious Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned. Homemade vanilla bean simple syrup adds a sweet and subtle note to rich bourbon, bitters and orange. This drink is everything you want to sip on for fall.
Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned Cocktail
I've professed my love for a classic Old Fashioned on this blog before, first with my Halloween Old Fashioned made with chocolate bitters, and then again with my Christmas Old Fashioned. Whichever way you make it, good quality bourbon needs little to nothing to enjoy which is why this cocktail is so perfect.
Homemade vanilla bean simple syrup takes the place of sugar in this classic cocktail and works so well with the already caramel-vanilla notes found in bourbon.
Ingredients in a Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned
- Bourbon - some of my favorite brands are Four Roses, Woodford Reserve and Bulleit, but use whatever Bourbon you like.
- Bitters - use classic angostura bitters for this recipe. It gives an old fashioned it's signature flavor.
- Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup - sweet and easy to make, I am sharing the recipe in this post.
- Orange Zest & Cherry - both for garnish and flavor.
- Vanilla Beans - for both the syrup and the garnish
- Ice - if you have large ice cube molds, these work best for an old fashioned so that the ice does not dilute the cocktail too quickly.
Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
A traditional Old Fashioned starts by adding bitters to a sugar cube in the bottom of a tumbler. This sweetens the drink and adds that sweet flavor that is needed with the strong alcohol. In this version I make a vanilla bean simple syrup to take it's place.
1 cup water, 1 cup granulated white sugar, and one scraped fresh vanilla bean all simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Steep the syrup overnight to infuse the vanilla bean flavor and cool completely.
This syrup is great to use in cocktails or coffee drinks and can be kept in the refrigerator.
How to Make a Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned
- In a cocktail mixing glass filled with large ice cubes, add bourbon, vanilla bean syrup, and bitters.
- Stir well to chill and dilute the bourbon.
3. Strain drink into a cocktail glass with one large ice cube.
4. Crush a slice of orange peel over the glass to express the oils and add to the drink for garnish.
5. Add a Luxardo cherry and vanilla bean for garnish. Note: the vanilla bean is completely optional for garnish but adds a pretty touch. Fresh vanilla is expensive so I recommend cutting them in ½ to use for garnish.
This cocktail is a great drink to enjoy on cool fall nights, cozied up watching a good movie, during a weekend cabin getaway, or to make for friends. You can never go wrong with a classic and this version is extra delicious!
More Bourbon Cocktail Recipes to Make:
- Bourbon Maple Apple Cider
- Christmas Old Fashioned
- Old Fashioned Drink Mix
- Kentucky Derby Cocktails
- Chocolate & Orange Old Fashioned
- Old Fashioned Bourbon Balls
Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned
A classic old fashioned cocktail made with homemade vanilla bean simple syrup
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- ½ oz Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup (see below for recipe)
- 4 dashes Agostura Bitters
- 2" zest of an orange
- 1 Luxardo Cherry
- Ice
- vanilla bean for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make vanilla bean simple syrup: in a small sauce pan combine 1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar and one fresh vanilla bean cut in half lengthwise and scraped. Make sure to scrape all of the vanilla bean seeds into the pot. Whisk to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat and transfer allow to steep until cooled. Transfer to a mason jar and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use. (keep the vanilla bean in the syrup to further infuse.)
- In a cocktail mixing glass filled with large ice cubes, add bourbon, vanilla bean syrup, and bitters.
- Stir well to chill and dilute the bourbon.
- Strain drink into a cocktail glass with one large ice cube.
- Crush a slice of orange peel over the glass to express the oils and add to the drink for garnish.
- Add a Luxardo cherry and vanilla bean for garnish.
Notes
The vanilla bean garnish is completely optional but adds a pretty touch. Fresh vanilla is expensive so I recommend cutting them in ½ to use for garnish.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 831Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 171gFiber: 3gSugar: 165gProtein: 1g