Home Our Community

12 OLD FASHIONED VARIATIONS

Nothing beats an old fashioned. It’s a classic cocktail that’s been around since the mid-1800s and its popularity has only boomed. Whilst the traditional recipe of whisky, bitters and sugar remains timeless, there are now dozens of twists to try.

From seriously sweet to smoky and spicy, here are our favourite variations of an old fashioned. Give them a go, or make your own using our single malt old fashioned recipe.

Elderflower and Peach Old Fashioned

Put a sweet, spring twist on an old classic with the peach old fashioned. This simple recipe is easy to make yet complex in flavours, with floral hints of elderflower and ripe peach. It’s the perfect drink for outdoor celebrations whether you’re hosting a brunch party, afternoon tea or garden dinner party.

Elderflower & Peach Old fashioned The Glenlivet 12YO

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Whisky
50 ml
Elderflower Cordial
10 ml
Peach Bitters
3 dashes

METHOD

  1. Add ingredients to mixing glass.
  2. Stir down over ice.
  3. Serve over ice in a rocks glass.
  4. Garnish with peach slice.

Honey Old Fashioned

If you like the sweeter side of life, then the honey old fashioned is for you. Rich runny honey mixes perfectly with the bold flavours of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, creating an unmistakably smooth drink that’ll go down a treat.

the glenlivet 12YO honey old fashioned

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
50 ml
Honey
1 teaspoon
Angostura Bitters
2 dashes
Salt
1 pinch

METHOD

  1. Add ingredients to mixing glass.
  2. Stir down over ice, serve over ice in a rocks glass.
  3. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Winter Spiced Old Fashioned

This multilayered cocktail is a simple yet delicious scotch with a twist, made using the base of an old fashioned recipe. Honey, ginger and orange are added to The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve for a seriously warming drink that’ll spice up those winter nights.

the glenlivet captains reserve old reserve whisky cocktail drink

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve
60 ml
Ginger Liqueur
15 ml
Bar Spoon of Honey
Orange Bitters
3 dashes

METHOD

  1. Stir ingredients together and strain into a rocks glass over ice.
  2. Garnish with an orange twist.

Chocolate Orange Old Fashioned

Get your cocoa fix from this rich and creamy cocktail recipe, the chocolate orange old fashioned. It’s an indulgent treat in a glass, reminiscent of your favourite festive flavours. Mix The Glenlivet 12 Year Old with chocolate liqueur, Angostura Bitters and zesty orange syrup for a drink the adults will love come Christmas, Easter or anytime you like.

Chocolate Old fashioned The Glenlivet 12 YO

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year old
50 ml
Orange Syrup
5 ml
Mozart Chocolate Liqueur
10 ml
Angostura Bitters
3 dashes
Orange Twist

METHOD

  1. Add ingredients to mixing glass, stir down over ice.
  2. Serve over ice in a rocks glass.
  3. Garnish with a twist of orange.

New Fashioned

Out with the old and in with the new; this twist gives an old fashioned a serious refresh. Our new fashioned recipe calls for The Glenlivet 14 Year Old an extra dosing of orange bitters and a rosemary sprig garnish for a true luscious finish.

the glenlivet 12YO honey old fashioned

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 14 Year Old Whisky
50 ml
Orange Bitters
2 Dashes
Angostura Bitters
2 Dashes
Simple Syrup
1 Teaspoon
Orange Peel and Rosemary (for Garnish)

METHOD

  1. Add your bitters to a glass.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir around a large ice cube.
  3. Garnish with an orange twist and rosemary sprig.

Sazerac

Hailed a second cousin of the old fashioned, the Sazerac is another long time classic serve. As well as whisky, bitters and sugar, mix in a generous dash of Absinthe for a rich, spicy twist.

Old Fashioned Godfather

The Godfather is a classic whisky drink you can’t refuse. Made with just two ingredients, its simplicity is what gives it greatness. Make yours an old fashioned twist by adding bitters to the 1:1 ratio of whisky and amaretto, topped with a maraschino cherry for good measure.

the-glenlivet-the-godfather-cocktail

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old
45 ml
Amaretto
15 ml
Zest of Orange, Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

METHOD

  1. Add all ingredients to a Mixing Vessel over Cubed Ice.
  2. Stir for 10-15 seconds.
  3. Strain into a Rocks Glass over Cubed Ice.
  4. Garnish with a Zest of Orange and a Maraschino Cherry.
  5. Serve.

Marmalade Fashioned

We make our old fashioned cocktail with none other than Speyside whisky, celebrating our Scottish heritage. But for a seriously Scottish affair, a dollop of tangy orange marmalade makes for a delicious fruity twist. Stir your chosen candied peel into your cocktail and garnish with thin orange zest.

Salted Caramel Single Malt

Get seriously sugary with this salted caramel whisky cocktail recipe, the ultimate sweet twist on an old fashioned. Salted caramel syrup pairs with The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve’s creamy sweetness for a delicious drink you’ll want to sip with dessert.

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
50 ml
Salted Caramel Syrup
7 ml
Amaro Nardini
1 Teaspoon
Angostura Bitters
2 Dashes
Salt
1 Pinch
Lemon and Orange Peel (for Garnish)

METHOD

  1. Stir ingredients together over ice.
  2. Garnish with a lemon and orange twist.

Smoky Old Fashioned

Whip up a round of this autumnal cocktail recipe to keep you cosy as the nights draw-in. The smoky old fashioned is a sweet, bold blend of classic ingredients and smoky whisky, garnished with a singed orange twist. Serve with sparklers for the adults at Bonfire Night.

Smoky Old fashioned The Glenlivet 12 YO

COCKTAIL RECIPE
FOR
1
SERVE

INGREDIENTS

ml oz
Ingredients Unit
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
50 ml
Sugar syrup
10 ml
Angostura Bitters
2 dashes
Smoky Whisky
2 dashes

METHOD

  1. Add ingredients to mixing glass.
  2. Stir down over ice, serve over ice in a rocks glass.
  3. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Black Tea Old Fashioned

Whisky and tea are too good not to combine. The aromatic, warm flavours of each pair perfectly, making a tea old fashioned a twist you need to try. Infuse simple syrup on the stove with a couple of your chosen teabags, or pour in a dash of strong brew to your whisky recipe.

Looking for a new way to serve your other favourite cocktails? Take a look at our top hot toddy variations or check out our best warm whisky drinks. You can also get more inspiration for next time you’re behind the bar with our library of simple yet delicious whisky cocktails.

You have to be over 21 to enter this site

Please enter your date of birth

Please enter a valid value for the fields: {fields}

You are too young to enter.

Remember me

By entering this site, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy