This cinnamon Old Fashioned cocktail is made with bourbon, aromatic bitters and a homemade spiced simple syrup.

One of the fun parts of visiting Kentucky's bourbon distilleries is that you can often go beyond a simple tasting and try some of their house cocktails.
Sometimes we carry inspiration home with us and start experimenting with our own version of a classic drink.
That's what happened with the Old Fashioned, a cocktail that's a perfect showcase for good bourbon. In this cinnamon version, I'm adding an extra pop of spice to the flavor profile!
What Is an Old Fashioned Cocktail?
An Old Fashioned is a classic American drink invented by James E Pepper. It's traditionally made with bourbon, bitters, sugar and a twist of citrus (or a cocktail cherry).
This cinnamon Old Fashioned uses cinnamon simple syrup instead of sugar, and we'll use cocktail cherries instead of citrus.
What Kind of Bourbon Should I Use in This Cinnamon Old Fashioned?
Bourbons can have a wide variety of flavors, from sweet-corn-heavy bourbon to spicy-rye-heavy bourbon.
My best advice is to use a bourbon that you personally enjoy sipping for this cocktail, because there are only a few ingredients so you will definitely taste the bourbon! Check out our bourbon for beginners guide if you need more help choosing a bourbon.
Typically, my favorites for Old Fashioneds are Maker's Mark (for a sweeter flavor) and Woodford Reserve’s Double Oaked Bourbon for a smokier flavor. In the photos, I used a bourbon I picked up at Willet Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Can I Use Whiskey Instead?
Absolutely! We like rye whiskey in Old Fashioned cocktails, especially if you'd like a little extra spice.
What Kind of Cocktail Cherries Should I Use?
There are lots of brands of cocktail cherries out there!
My favorite are Jack Rudy Cocktail Co.'s bourbon cocktail cherries. I like that they have great flavor and texture, and happily, no artificial food coloring.

Make the Cinnamon Simple Syrup
Traditionally, an Old Fashioned uses sugar instead of a syrup, but I've found the sugar rarely dissolves. I prefer a syrup. Plus, this way we can make a flavored cinnamon syrup!
Simple syrup is an easy way to create all sorts of cocktail flavors! We also enjoy this honey Old Fashioned.
Start by adding equal parts sugar and water to a small saucepan. Add a cinnamon stick to the mix, and heat until the sugar dissolves.
Set aside, allowing the cinnamon to continue infusing in the syrup while it cools.

You'll have more syrup than you need for a single serving of this recipe, so you can refrigerate it and use it again!
How to Make a Cinnamon Old Fashioned
When the syrup is cooled, start making the cocktail.
Add ice to a rocks glass. I use these silicone sphere molds to make large ice cubes.
Next, add the bitters, bourbon and syrup to the glass, and stir it.

Add a couple of cocktail cherries to a cocktail pick, and garnish the drink with it.
Sip your cinnamon Old Fashioned and enjoy this spiced cocktail!

Cinnamon Old Fashioned
Equipment
- 1 rocks glass
Ingredients
Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
- 4 ounces sugar
- 4 ounces water
- 1 cinnamon stick about 3 or 4 inches long
Cinnamon Old Fashioned:
- ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon Or use unflavored whiskey
- 2 dashes bitters (~¼ teaspoon) Angostura are traditional; I prefer Jack Rudy Aromatic bitters
- 2 cocktail cherries
- ice I like to use large ice cubes
- club soda (optional)
Instructions
Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
- Add the sugar and water to a small pot. Heat over medium-low heat until the liquid is hot and beginning to steam. (There is no need to bring the syrup to a boil.)Remove syrup (leaving the cinnamon stick in the liquid) and set aside to cool. (I like to wait at least 10 minutes to avoid adding hot syrup to the drink.)
- Store syrup in a glass jar (or airtight container) with the cinnamon stick in the fridge. Use within a month. You should have enough syrup for 8 cocktails.
Cinnamon Old Fashioned:
- Add half an ounce of the cinnamon simple syrup, 2 ounces bourbon and 2 dashes of bitters to a rocks glass with ice. Stir the cocktail.Garnish with a cocktail cherry. If desired, fill the remainder of the rocks glass with club soda.
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