Chocolate Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe & How to Make It

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This Chocolate Old Fashioned is ideal for bourbon lovers who want a touch of chocolate. It uses a homemade chocolate simple syrup for a rich, authentic chocolate flavor and is easy to tailor to your taste.

The classic Old Fashioned is traditionally bourbon (or rye), bitters, and a citrus twist, sometimes balanced with sugar or soda. This version swaps in chocolate simple syrup for a dessert-forward twist without requiring expensive or hard-to-find ingredients.

Flavored Old Fashioneds are a great option if you prefer something slightly sweet and more approachable than a very strong spirit-forward drink.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The chocolate note comes from a homemade chocolate simple syrup for the best, freshest flavor.
• No need for pricey liqueurs or specialty bitters—simple pantry ingredients do the job.
• It’s an easy, approachable cocktail for beginners and experienced home bartenders alike.
• Sweetness is easy to adjust: use more or less syrup to suit your preference.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Bourbon: Choose a bourbon you enjoy. The spirit’s flavor shows through, so pick at least a mid-range bottle.
• Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder to build the chocolate base for the syrup.
• Sugar & water: Granulated sugar dissolves with water and cocoa to make the syrup. Swap brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like note if you like.
• Orange bitters: Orange bitters complement chocolate nicely. You can experiment with coffee, cherry, or toasted almond bitters for different profiles.

Equipment

Essentials for this recipe:

• A small saucepan to make the chocolate syrup and an airtight jar for storing any leftovers.
• A paring knife or peeler to cut an orange twist and a rocks glass to serve the cocktail.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk the cocoa powder, sugar, and water together until smooth and no lumps remain.

Step 2: Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and heat over medium-high until it reaches a gentle simmer. Keep it at a low simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 3: In a rocks or whiskey glass, stir together 1 oz bourbon, 3/4 oz chocolate simple syrup, and 2–3 dashes of orange bitters. Add ice, then twist an orange peel over the drink to express the oils and drop it in as garnish. Serve and enjoy responsibly.

Variations

• Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned: Replace half the chocolate syrup with cherry syrup or use cherry bitters for a bright fruit note.
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Old Fashioned: Swap bourbon for a peanut butter–flavored whiskey for a playful, dessert-like twist.
• Maple Chocolate Old Fashioned: Add 1/2 tablespoon of real maple syrup for warmth and depth.
• Mint Chocolate Old Fashioned: Use a few dashes of mint bitters or combine 1/2 oz chocolate syrup with 1/4 oz mint liqueur for a mint-chocolate pairing.

Expert Tips

• Store extra syrup in the fridge. Leftover chocolate simple syrup keeps in an airtight container for 1–2 weeks and works well in coffee, milk drinks, or other cocktails.
• Ensure the sugar dissolves. Because the syrup is dark, undissolved sugar can be hard to spot. Stir and scrape the bottom of the pan to feel for any grit while simmering.
• Serve in a small glass. Old Fashioneds are concentrated—using a smaller glass makes the pour look balanced.
• Make it stronger. If you prefer a standard-strength Old Fashioned, use 2 oz bourbon instead of 1 oz and scale the syrup to taste.
• Adjust sweetness. Reduce the chocolate syrup to 1/2 oz if you want a less sweet, more spirit-forward cocktail.

Recipe FAQs

📖 Recipe

Chocolate Old Fashioned

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• Author: Ali
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 cocktail
• Diet: Vegan