If you’re looking for a black walnut bitters cocktail recipe, this Black Walnut Old Fashioned is the perfect cozy fall cocktail and a great alternative to a classic old fashioned when you’re looking to spice things up a bit. It can be made with your favorite whiskey or bourbon and a few additional unique spirits, like black walnut bitters, that will make a great addition to your home bar.
This black walnut bitters cocktail recipe is going to quickly become one of your favorite cozy season cocktails. It’s a unique spin on the classic Old Fashioned that is sure to please all the whiskey lovers you know!
If you’re looking for more fall friendly cocktails, try this Pumpkin Gin Mule or this S’Mores Martini.
Why You’ll Love This Black Walnut Bitters Cocktail Recipe
- It’s uniquely flavorful. The addition of smooth, nutty bitters creates a deep flavor profile, making this one of the most luscious old fashioned recipes.
- It’s simple. This cocktail requires just a few staples you already have in your home bar, plus a few extras you’ll want to make sure you’re always stocked up on once you’ve tried this black walnut bitters cocktail.
- It’s impressive. Don’t be fooled by how easy this cocktail is to make, it’s one of the most incredibly delicious cocktails you’ll try!
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Black Walnut Old Fashioned Ingredients & Tested Substitutions
- Bourbon: Traditionally, an old fashioned is a bourbon cocktail, however I’ve tested this black walnut bitters cocktail with both bourbon & rye whiskey and found it was a great alternative. I enjoyed it both ways. It’s up to your personal preference which option you choose. If you’re a cocktail purist then go with small batch bourbon to really up the ante!
- Chocolate Whiskey: I added my favorite chocolate whiskey for a little sweetness and depth of flavor. I highly recommend not skipping this step and using a chocolate whiskey if your local liquor store carries it. There are a few brands out there that are wonderful options.
- Black Walnut Bitters: You can’t make a black walnut old fashioned without black walnut cocktail bitters! Look for bitters made with real walnut & black walnut leaf. You can even make your own black walnut bitters.
- Vermouth: Opt for a high quality sweet vermouth like Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth, which is amazing in everything from a classic Manhattan to a unique Strawberry Negroni.
- Cacao Nibs & Sugar: Garnish the rim of the glass with cacao nibs and sugar that have been blended together.
- Orange Peel: A staple garnish for any old fashioned, place a fresh orange peel in the rocks glass once the cocktail is poured.
Black Walnut Bitters Cocktail Recipe Steps
- Rim the rocks glass. Add cacao nibs and sugar to a blender and pulse until cacao nibs are fine. Add the mixture to a cocktail rimmer set. Wet the rim of your glass and place it gently into the cacao nib and sugar mixture to rim the glass.
- Build the cocktail. In a cocktail mixing glass, add in bourbon, chocolate whiskey, vermouth and 6-8 dashes of black walnut bitters, then add ice. Stir the drink using a cocktail spoon and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish. A great way to garnish this black walnut old fashioned is with a fresh orange peel & cherries.
If you are following a low fodmap diet and want to learn more about low fodmap friendly alcohol, like whiskey & bourbon, you can check out this helpful guide I created.
Black Walnut Old Fashioned FAQs
What if I like a sweeter drink?
If you want to add a little sweetness to this black walnut bitters cocktail recipe, you can add 1 tsp of maple syrup for a little additional flavor and sweetness. Alternatively, you can simply add a sugar cube or 1-2 tsp of simple syrup.
What is the best bourbon for an old fashioned?
Some of my favorite bourbons to use when making an old fashioned are:
- Makers Mark
- Woodford Reserve
- Bulleit
- Jim Beam Black
Are you supposed to shake an old fashioned?
As a general rule of thumb, drinks that contain spirits, like an old fashioned, should never be shaken with ice, but rather stirred. This is less about temperature and more about how shaking room temperature liquid with ice can add water to the cocktail, changing the texture and mouthfeel of the spirits.
What to pair with a black walnut bitters cocktail
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Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a 5 star rating & a review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!
Black Walnut Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1 oz chocolate whiskey
- 3/4 oz sweet vermouth
- 6 dashes black walnut bitters
- cacao nibs, sugar, cherries & orange peel for rimming the glass & garnishing
Instructions
- Rim the rocks glass. Add cacao nibs and sugar to a blender and pulse until cacao nibs are fine. Add the mixture to a cocktail rimmer set. Wet the rim of your glass and place it gently into the cacao nib and sugar mixture to rim the glass.
- Build the cocktail. In a cocktail mixing glass, add in bourbon, chocolate whiskey, vermouth and 6-8 dashes of black walnut bitters, then add ice. Stir the drink using a cocktail spoon and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish. A great way to garnish this black walnut old fashioned is with a fresh orange peel & cherries.
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