This hibiscus old fashioned cocktail is a twist on the classic bourbon drink we know and love that adds just the right touch of tropical sweetness! I love how easy it is to make and home and know you'll want to make several rounds once you try it.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my strawberry old fashioned, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Simple - The old fashioned has stood the test of time because it is simple and tastes great. This hibiscus old fashioned recipe is the same with no extra steps or fancy technique needed. And I've included notes on common kitchen tools you can use place of cocktail tools below, in case you need them!
Hibiscus Flavor with its earthy, floral, fruitiness works so well with the bourbon, bitters, and orange so this is a hibiscus whiskey cocktail you'll want to savor every sip of.
As president of the hibiscus fan club, I have several delicious hibiscus cocktails on deck like my hibiscus hot toddy, hibiscus mezcal margarita, and the hibiscus gin martini. Ooh, and the hibiscus gin & tonic or hibiscus moscow mule!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Bourbon Whiskey or rye are the best liquor options for an old fashioned. I prefer bourbon but in any case recommend high quality whiskey you'd enjoy sipping neat for the best taste.
Hibiscus Simple Syrup is used instead of a sugar cube or plain simple syrup to add sweetness and flavor at once. My homemade hibiscus syrup is the best bet but you could alternatively use a ready-made hibiscus syrup instead.
Angostura Bitters add dimension to the drink that you shouldn't skip!
Orange is a key old fashioned ingredient. We need the peel of the orange for this recipe so don't just buy orange juice.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Cherry Garnish - Technically, this belongs in the old fashioned's cousin cocktail, the Manhattan. But many folks like to add a brandied cherry, maraschino cherry, or luxardo cherry to the old fashioned so you do you!
Ice - Old fashioned cocktails are meant to be sipped slow so they are traditionally served over one big cube of ice, which melts slowly. But you can use whichever kind of ice you have on hand--just note that smaller ice cubes will melt faster and water down the drink.
I use this old fashioned ice mold to make giant ice cubes at home easily!
How to Make an Old Fashioned with Hibiscus Syrup
Step One: Stir the hibiscus syrup and bitters together.
Step Two: Add in ice and bourbon then stir everything until the mixture is chilled.
Pro Tip #1: For these first steps, you can use a cocktail mixing glass and bar spoon or a highball glass and a regular table spoon or butter knife.
Pro Tip #2: Instead of a jigger to measure the liquor and syrup with, you can use a standard size shot glass, which holds about the same amount of liquid as the jigger's large end.
Step Three: Strain the liquid into a rocks glass over ice.
Step Four: Peel off a strip of orange rind then squeeze it over top of the drink to express its oil.
Pro Tip #3: If you don't have a hawthorne strainer a mesh strainer also works well. Or you can use another glass to cover all but a sliver of the mixing glass as you pour so that just the liquid comes out.
Step Five: Drop the orange peel into the glass for garnish.
Try my hibiscus mint julep next for more southern cocktail fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can mix this drink up to two days ahead of time as long as you store it in the fridge or freezer. When you're ready to serve it, give it a stir to take care of any separation then pour it over ice.
To large batch this drink, combine two ounces of hibiscus simple syrup with 8-12 dashes of bitters. Add the ice and six ounces of bourbon then stir until chilled. Divide the cocktails between four rocks glasses and express orange oil over each one. This serves four and you can adjust the servings in the recipe card below if you need more!
More Favorite Hibiscus Drinks
I hope you'll enjoy a quality hibiscus flavored old fashioned soon and very soon.And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Hibiscus Old Fashioned Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 mixing glass or highball glass
- 1 bar spoon or regular table spoon
- 1 cocktail strainer or mesh strainer
- 1 rocks glass
Ingredients
- ½ ounce hibiscus syrup
- 2-3 dashes angostura bitters
- 1 ½ ounce bourbon or rye whiskey
- ice
- 1 orange
Instructions
- Add the hibiscus syrup and bitters to mixing glass and stir to combine.
- Fill mixing glass with ice then pour in the bourbon and stir until chilled to the touch (about eight seconds).
- Strain liquid into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Peel off a stripe of orange rind and squeeze it over top of the cocktail to express oils then drop peel into the glass for garnish.
Notes
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Add 1 ½ cup water, 1 ½ cup brown sugar, 1 cup dried hibiscus, 2 inches fresh ginger, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2 whole cloves to a small saucepan over medium heat.
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Stir until brown sugar dissolves then bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes then turn off heat and allow syrup to cool before straining out solid ingredients.
Krysten Wilkes says
I’m not usually a big whiskey fan but I must say this drink definitely did it for me! Smooth to taste and you’ll definitely want a second round!
Marcus Avery says
I’m not a huge fan of the traditional old fashioned cocktail, but adding the hibiscus element really changed the flavor profile. I’m a fan now! So delicious!
Marta says
I made this hibiscus old fashioned with rye whiskey for my hubby who is an old fashioned lover. He said it was one of the best versions he's tasted. Even I, a whiskey hater, have to admit that this is something I would make and enjoy on a regular basis.