What is this drink?
The Cherry Old Fashioned is a fruity variation of America's oldest cocktail, enhancing the classic combination of bourbon and Angostura bitters with cherry liqueur for a touch of sweet, fruit-forward depth.
Why you'll love it
The rich, vanilla-oak character of bourbon is complemented by the sweet-tart cherry liqueur and the aromatic complexity of bitters, resulting in a smooth, sophisticated cocktail with beautiful depth.
When to serve
Perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif, at whiskey nights, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where a strong, spirit-forward cocktail commands attention and respect.
Pro tip
Express an orange peel over the finished drink by holding it over the glass and twisting — the burst of citrus oils creates an aromatic bridge between the bourbon and cherry that elevates the entire cocktail.
Bourbon
The star of the show — aged American whiskey with caramel, vanilla, and oak notes that form the rich, warming backbone of this spirit-forward cocktail.
Cherry Liqueur
Maraschino or cherry brandy adds a sweet, fruity dimension that complements bourbon's vanilla notes without masking its inherent complexity and depth.
Angostura Bitters
A concentrated blend of botanicals and spices that ties the bourbon and cherry together, adding aromatic complexity and balance to what could otherwise be too sweet.
Swap Options
Use rye whiskey instead of bourbon for a spicier, drier Old Fashioned. Replace cherry liqueur with Amaretto for an almond-cherry flavor profile. Try smoked maple syrup instead of the liqueur for a smoky variation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine ingredients
In a rocks glass, mix bourbon, cherry liqueur, and bitters.
Tips:
- •Stir gently to combine flavors.
Add ice
Place 1 large ice cube into the glass.
Tips:
- •Large ice cube melts slower, preventing over-dilution.
Stir the drink
Gently stir for 30–60 seconds to chill and slightly dilute.
Tips:
- •Stirring is key; do not shake a spirit-forward cocktail.
Garnish
Add a maraschino cherry on top.
Tips:
- •Optional: twist an orange peel over the drink to release oils.
Flavor Profile
Alcohol Content
Fun Fact
Bartender's Tips
- Use high-quality bourbon for best flavor.
- Adjust cherry liqueur amount to control sweetness.
- Serve immediately after stirring for optimal taste.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Rye Cherry Old-Fashioned
Substitute bourbon with a quality rye whiskey — such as Rittenhouse or Sazerac — for a spicier, drier variation where the rye's natural pepper and grain character adds a harder edge to the cherry's sweetness. The bitters become more prominent, creating a more assertive, less honeyed cocktail for those who prefer their Old-Fashioneds with backbone.
Amaretto Cherry Old-Fashioned
Replace the cherry liqueur with Amaretto di Saronno for an almond-cherry profile that introduces sweet, marzipan-like depth alongside the bourbon. Amaretto's nutty complexity creates a different but equally satisfying sweetener — the almond notes amplify the caramel of the bourbon in a warm, dessert-like way.
Smoked Cherry Old-Fashioned
Use smoked maple syrup in place of cherry liqueur and add a smoked cherry as a garnish for a dramatically different variation with campfire depth. The smokiness creates a fascinating tension with the bourbon's oak and the cherry's sweetness, producing a cocktail with a bold, dramatic character suited to adventurous whiskey drinkers.
Tools that make this drink come together
Mixing Glass
The Cherry Old-Fashioned is a stirred cocktail — always. A mixing glass allows controlled dilution and chilling through slow, circular stirring without introducing the cloudiness and bubbles that shaking would create. The glass should be large enough to hold bourbon, cherry liqueur, bitters, and ice comfortably with room to stir.
Bar Spoon
A long-handled bar spoon with a twisted handle is the essential tool for stirring. Insert into the mixing glass and stir slowly in long circular rotations for 30–40 seconds, keeping the spoon in contact with the inner glass wall to avoid splashing. The goal is precise, controlled dilution without aeration.
Julep Strainer
Place the julep strainer inside the mixing glass to hold back ice whilst the stirred cocktail is poured into the rocks glass over a large ice cube. The julep strainer sits flush with the inner glass surface and allows the clear, perfectly tempered cocktail to flow through cleanly without ice spillage.
Can't Find These?
A large jug with a wide opening works as a mixing vessel — any long spoon can stir within it. A slotted spoon or tea strainer holds ice back during pouring. A standard ice cube is a perfectly acceptable substitute for a large format cube — the drink will dilute slightly faster but the flavour is identical.
The right glass makes a real difference
Rocks Glass (Old-Fashioned Glass)
The Cherry Old-Fashioned belongs in a heavy, wide-mouthed rocks glass — also called a lowball or old-fashioned glass — over a single large ice cube or sphere. The wide opening allows the cherry and bourbon aromas to rise fully before each sip, the heavy base feels appropriately substantial for a spirit-forward cocktail, and the low, wide silhouette creates a confident, uncluttered presentation. A pre-chilled glass improves temperature retention significantly.
Alternatives
A stemless wine glass with a large ice cube works if no rocks glass is available. A short tumbler of any kind is acceptable in casual settings. Some prefer a Glencairn whisky glass for a more nosing-focused, aroma-concentrated experience — reduce the ice in this case and sip more slowly to allow the cherry and bourbon aromatics to open fully.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Luxardo Cherry Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate infused with Luxardo cherries — either purchased as a specialty bar or made by embedding Amarena cherries in melted chocolate — creates a direct flavour echo of the Cherry Old-Fashioned. The bittersweet chocolate amplifies the cocktail's bourbon depth, and the preserved cherry is an obvious pairing with the cherry liqueur in the drink.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs with Gorgonzola
Sweet fresh figs wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with Gorgonzola are a sophisticated, seasonal canapé. The fig's jammy sweetness echoes the cherry liqueur, the prosciutto's salt sharpens the bourbon's edge, and the blue cheese provides a piquant note that prevents the pairing from feeling too sweet.
Smoked Almonds with Bourbon Caramel
Smokily roasted almonds coated in a bourbon caramel glaze are an addictive bar snack that reflects every key element in the Cherry Old-Fashioned — bourbon, caramel sweetness, and smoke. Their richness and crunch make them an effortless, deeply satisfying accompaniment to a slow-sipping spirit-forward cocktail.
Aged Cheddar and Quince Paste Board
A simple cheese board with mature, aged Cheddar and sweet quince paste creates a classic sweet-savoury pairing for whiskey. The Cheddar's sharpness cuts the cherry liqueur's sweetness, and the quince echoes the fruit character in the drink, producing a balanced, elegant combination that requires minimal preparation.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Pre-Batch the Bourbon Mix
Combine bourbon, cherry liqueur, and Angostura bitters in a sealed bottle up to 48 hours ahead at room temperature. When serving, stir individual portions with ice in the mixing glass and strain into rocks glasses over large ice cubes. Pre-batching eliminates all measuring and mixing during service without any compromise to the quality of the finished cocktail.
Prepare Large Ice Cubes
Freeze single large ice cubes in silicone moulds at least 24 hours before serving. Large cubes melt significantly more slowly than standard cubes, providing minimal dilution over the course of the drink and keeping the Cherry Old-Fashioned spirit-forward for longer. Clear ice (made from boiled, slowly frozen water) looks particularly striking in a rocks glass with an amber cocktail over it.
Pre-Chill the Mixing Glass
Fill the mixing glass with ice and cold water 10 minutes before using, then empty before adding the cocktail. A pre-chilled mixing glass reduces the amount of ice melt needed to chill the drink during stirring, producing a more concentrated, less diluted Old-Fashioned. It's a small detail that makes a real difference to the final quality.
Prepare Cherry Garnishes in Advance
Set Luxardo or Amarena cherries out on a plate with cocktail picks up to 2 hours before service. Cherry garnish preparation takes no time but adds significant visual impact to the finished drink. A bright red preserved cherry on a silver pick sitting in an amber cocktail in a heavy glass is one of the most appealing visual combinations in bartending.
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