This Big Batch Old Fashioned recipe is perfect for this time of year when you’re entertaining and don’t want to be stuck mixing drinks all night. The ingredients are perfectly proportioned so you have the ideal smooth smokiness, bitters, and a tinge of sweetness. Mix it ahead of time, and everyone can pour their portion when they’re ready to enjoy!

an overhead photo of an old fashioned in a lowball glass with star anise and a cinnamon stick as garnish, and a swing top bottle over it

Why You’ll Love This Big Batch Old Fashioned Recipe

There’s nothing like sipping on a classic Old Fashioned as the holiday spirit washes over you! I love my maple Old Fashioned recipe for October, but I tend to revert back to the classic recipe when the holidays hit. I’m enjoying so many other flavors, so sometimes I like to enjoy a more neutral cocktail with them.

This big batch recipe is the solution to all of your holiday hosting woes. When you’re entertaining on Thanksgiving and trying to time out the turkey, mashed potatoes, dessert, etc., you can rest easy knowing you have a signature cocktail already made and ready to flow throughout the night.

Simply mix everything together, allow it to chill, and then provide your guests with glasses and garnish. Cheers!

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Ingredients

bourbon, simple syrup, aromatic bitters, oranges, a candle, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and a pumpkin pie

You don’t need many ingredients to make these classic Old Fashioneds, just a larger portion! Here’s your shopping list, but you can check out the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Bourbon
Orange bitters
Brown sugar simple syrup (see below)
Cinnamon Stick
Cherries for garnish

How to Make a Big Batch of Old Fashioned Cocktails

Step 1: Mix Alcohol

Measure out the bourbon in a large measuring glass. Add the bitters to the bourbon and whisk it together. Pour the bourbon + bitters into a large glass, clip-top carafe, or pitcher.

pouring in the bourbon, bitters, and simple syrup to the carafe

Step 2: Add Syrup

Add the brown sugar simple syrup to the bourbon and either whisk the mixture together or place the top on the carafe tightly and shake until it’s combined.

Step 3: Chill

Place the big batch into the refrigerator or freezer until it’s very cold.

Step 4: Serve

Pour out 2-2.5 oz of the mixture into a low-ball glass. Add one large ice cube or a couple of small cubes.

adding the rest of the ingredients and then shaking them together in the clip top bottle

Step 5: Garnish

Garnish your drink with a cinnamon stick or a few amaro-soaked cherries.

Note: You can also provide your guests with a selection of pre-cut garnishes like orange slices, cherries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, etc.

an overhead shot of two glasses of old fashioneds, a large bottle of the cocktail, a pumpkin pie, and garnish

FAQs

How do you make brown sugar simple syrup?

Combine 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of water in a heavy-bottom saucepan.
Heat on medium and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add in a cinnamon stick if desired.
Whisk together and cook on low for another five minutes or so.
Remove syrup from the heat, cool, and place into an airtight container.
Once cool, store the syrup in the airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

How long ahead can I make this big batch cocktail?

You can make it a couple of days in advance and keep it in the fridge, but absolutely do not add ice to it! The ice should only be added as you’re serving it, and even then, add it in moderation.

What’s the secret to a good Old Fashioned?

Cocktails are so personal and I’m sure many people have that One Thing that is their idea of a secret to an Old Fashioned. However, from a mixology standpoint, I think the secret is the proportion of bitters to the rest of the ingredients. You can’t go without them, and you can’t have too much of them.

two glasses of old fashioneds beside a plate with garnish on it and a large bottle full of the cocktail and a pumpkin pie out of focus in the background

Serving Suggestions + Variations

The most obvious serving suggestion (to me!) is to serve this cocktail as a Thanksgiving nightcap along with your favorite pie. I love this salted pretzel maple butter pecan pie or my brown sugar pecan pie.
If you don’t have time to make the brown sugar simple syrup, or simply don’t like brown sugar for some reason, you can substitute it with regular simple syrup or maple syrup.
Serve your old-fashioned with donut holes as a garnish for a little dessert-snack pairing.
Dip the rim of your glass in simple syrup (or maple syrup) and then in brown sugar for an extra sweet finish.
Dark chocolate oranges are really popular in the UK, especially around the holidays, and I think we need to give them more of a spotlight over here. They’re delicious! They’d be the perfect pairing with this cocktail, especially since there are hints of orange in the drink from the bitters.
If you’re starting your night with this beverage, serve it with roasted nuts. It’s nice and autumnal, plus it’ll get your palate warmed up for dinner.

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If you make this Big Batch Old Fashioned recipe, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!

I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the College Housewife community!