Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Rum Cocktails

Autumn Old Fashioned

Autumn Rum Old Fashioned served in rocks glass with orange twist on wooden surface

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

The Old Fashioned is a time-honored recipe for a reason. It includes the fundamental elements that make a drink a cocktail—spirits, bitters, sugar, and ice. The traditionally bourbon-based drink is also incredibly versatile, lending itself to countless variations like the Autumn Old Fashioned.

This seasonal riff comes from Beau Williams of Kansas City, Missouri’s Julep Cocktail Club, who brings the best of fall’s flavors together with an aged rum, apple cider syrup, and Angostura bitters.

Why The Autumn Old Fashioned Works

This drink relies on the classic Old Fashioned formula of aged spirit, sweetener, and bitters, which work together to create a spirit-forward and richly-flavored drink. Aged rum stands in for the typical whiskey—William’s choice of Mount Gay XO blended rum is aged in casks including ex-bourbon and American whiskey barrels, so it’s a natural replacement for bourbon.

For the sweet element, Williams replaces sugar or simple syrup with a homemade apple cider syrup, which comes together easily in a saucepan with apple cider and brown sugar. While delicious in a cocktail, it can also be further reduced and drizzled over pancakes and waffles.

As with any Old Fashioned, a few dashes of bitters are the finishing touch. Williams keeps a traditional approach here, opting for three dashes of aromatic Angostura bitters, which lend fall-appropriate baking spice notes. Swapping out some or all of the bitters for orange bitters can bring extra zest and brightness to the drink, so feel free to play around.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces aged rum, preferably Mount Gay

  • 1 barspoon apple cider syrup (recipe below)

  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters

  • Garnish: orange twist

Steps

  1. Add the rum, apple cider syrup, and Angostura bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.

  2. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass.

  3. Express the oil of an orange twist over the drink, then drop the twist into the drink.

How to Make Apple Cider Syrup

In a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine 1 cup apple cider and 2 cups brown sugar, stirring constantly to emulsify the sugar. Once the liquid reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and continue to stir occasionally until the liquid reduces enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add a pinch of salt, stir, then remove the syrup from the heat, and allow to cool. Transfer the syrup to a Mason jar, and store for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Other Old Fashioned Riffs

Classic Old Fashioned: You’ll need bourbon, sugar, and Angostura bitters.

• Oaxaca Old Fashioned: Swap the bourbon for a split base of mezcal and tequila, and the sugar for agave nectar.

Irish Old Fashioned: Swap the bourbon for Irish whiskey and the sugar for Benedictine. Split the bitters element between Angostura and orange bitters.

Añejo Tequila Old Fashioned: Swap the bourbon for añejo tequila and the sugar for agave nectar.

Benton’s Old Fashioned: Use a Benton’s ham fat-washed bourbon and swap the sugar for maple syrup.