My sweet potato old fashioned is strong, rich, and sweet--and simple to make! Once you taste this clever mashup of southern classics, you'll want another round.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my peach cobbler cocktail, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick and Easy - You only need five minutes to make this sweet potato whiskey cocktail. Be sure to read my pro tips below for different options for cocktail tools.
Cozy Flavor - You'll taste earthy sweet potatoes and warming spices in this sweet potato pie cocktail along with the oaky, smoky, and vanilla notes of whiskey. Bitters and a hint of orange balances everything out.
Being from The South, I'm a bourbon girl, and I have lots of different old fashioned flavors for you to try next. Check out my hibiscus old fashioned, peach old fashioned, smoked cinnamon old fashioned, strawberry old fashioned, and chai spice old fashioned!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Whiskey - Use bourbon or rye for traditional preparation or regular whiskey or even scotch. I like Basil Hayden, Still ATX, or Hudson Baby Bourbon in this cocktail but you can use your favorites like Jim Bean, Jack Daniels or Uncle Nearest!
Sweet Potato Syrup - This is where the rich spiced sweet potato taste comes in. I recommend using my homemade sweet potato syrup made with brown sugar and have included instructions for making it in the recipe card below.
Angostura Bitters - Bitters are like the seasoning of the sweet potato drink and Angostura bitters are what's most commonly used in old fashioneds.
Marshmallows - Use a few mini marshmallows OR one regular sized marshmallow for this recipe. Jumbo marshmallows won't work well.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Ice - The old fashioned is meant to be savored and sipped nice and slow so it's usually served over a giant cube or sphere of ice. You can use whatever you have on hand just note that smaller ice cubes melt faster, which results in a more watered-down drink.
Garnish - You can follow the recipe instructions exactly and garnish with orange peel and melty marshmallows or switch things up. Go as elaborate or as low-key as you like! Candied yam bits, marshmallow fluff, cinnamon sticks are all solid options.
How to Make a Sweet Potato Cocktail with Bourbon
- Step 1: Stir the bitters and brown sugar sweet potato syrup together.
- Step 2: Add the ice and whiskey then stir again until chilled.
Pro Tip #1
For the first two steps, I use a cocktail mixing glass and bar spoon but you can also use a highball glass and a regular table spoon or butter knife (with a gentle hand).
- Step 3: Strain the liquid into a rocks glass over a large cube of ice.
- Step 4: Squeeze an orange peel over glass to express orange oil into the drink.
Pro Tip #2
I strain this drink with a hawthorne strainer or julep strainer but you can also use a mesh strainer. If you don't have any strainers, use another glass to cover all but a sliver of the mixing glass as you pour so that just the liquid comes out!
- Step 5: Thread marshmallows onto a cocktail pick then carefully hold over flame to char them.
- Step 6: Add marshmallow garnish to the drink and serve!
Pro Tip #3
Torching the marshmallows is optional but adds a fun twist to the presentation and a bit of smokiness. I incorporated marshmallows since they're commonly part of sweet potato casseroles!
Frequently Asked Questions
To large batch this bourbon cocktail, combine six ounces of sweet potato 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 then garnish with torched marshmallows. This makes four servings and you can adjust the servings in the recipe card below if you need any more!
More Favorite Whiskey Cocktail Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy this sweet potato bourbon cocktail 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
Sweet Potato Old Fashioned
Equipment
- 1 mixing glass or highball
- 1 bar spoon or regular table spoon
- 1 cocktail strainer or mesh strainer
- 1 rocks glass
- 1 lighter optional
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce sweet potato syrup
- 2-3 dashes angostura bitters
- ice
- 1 ½ ounce bourbon whiskey
- orange
- 5 mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Add the sweet potato syrup and bitters to mixing glass and to stir to combine with bar spoon.
- Fill mixing glass with ice then pour in the bourbon and stir until chilled to the touch (about eight seconds).
- Using cocktail strainer, strain liquid into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Peel off a strip of orange rind and squeeze it over the cocktail to express oils then drop peel into the glass.
- Thread marshmallows onto cocktail pick then carefully hold lighter flame to each marshmallow for a few seconds until charred. Add marshmallow garnish to cocktail then serve. Enjoy responsibly!
Notes
- Add 1 ½ cup brown sugar, 1 ½ cup water, ¾ cup sweet potato puree, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt in a saucepan over medium low heat.
- Stir until all ingredients are dissolved.
- Bring to a boil then remove from heat and allow to cool. Makes 14 servings.
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