I’ve always loved taking classic drinks and giving them a bit of a fruity spin. The Black Cherry Old Fashioned is honestly one of my favorite ways to make an old classic feel fresh again.
This recipe brings together the deep flavor of black cherries with the smooth, traditional taste of an old fashioned.
Whenever I serve this to friends, they always mention how the dark cherry flavor plays so well with the bourbon and bitters. It’s a pretty straightforward recipe—nothing too fancy required.
If you’re into cocktails that are rich and just a touch sweet, you should give this Black Cherry Old Fashioned a try.
Black Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
I like making a Black Cherry Old Fashioned because it mixes that classic bourbon flavor with a smooth cherry note. With the right tools and a little prep, I can whip up this cocktail fast.
I always muddle the cherries and mix everything over one big ice cube—keeps it cold and lets the flavors shine.
Equipment
- Old fashioned glass (rocks glass): This is my go-to for serving
- Mixing glass: Makes stirring a breeze and keeps things chilly
- Muddler: For crushing the cherries and sugar
- Bar spoon: Gets the drink mixed just right
- Strainer: Handy for pouring the finished cocktail
- Jigger: Helps me measure out the bourbon, syrup, and bitters
- Large ice cube or regular cubes: Bigger cubes melt slower, which I prefer
- Peeler: For that nice orange peel garnish
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey: I usually reach for bourbon—can’t beat those warm, sweet notes
- 1/2 oz black cherry syrup or cherry simple syrup: Adds a punch of cherry flavor
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters: For a classic bitter kick
- 2 dashes cherry bitters (optional): More cherry, why not?
- 1 bar spoon granulated sugar or simple syrup: Just enough sweetness
- 2-3 fresh black cherries, pitted: Muddled for extra cherry juice
- 1 orange peel: Makes a fragrant garnish
- Large ice cube or a few regular ice cubes: For serving
- 1 Luxardo cherry or fresh black cherry: Extra garnish never hurts
Instructions
- I toss the black cherries and sugar (or simple syrup) into my mixing glass and muddle them gently.
- Then I add the black cherry syrup, bourbon, Angostura bitters, and cherry bitters.
- Next, I fill the mixing glass with ice and give it a good stir with my bar spoon—about 30 seconds does the trick.
- I strain the cocktail over a big ice cube in my old fashioned glass.
- With a peeler, I cut an orange peel, twist it over the glass to get those oils out, and drop it in.
- Last step: garnish with a Luxardo cherry or a fresh black cherry on a pick.
Notes
Prep time is around 5 minutes, assuming you’ve got everything ready.
If I’m out of black cherry syrup, I’ll just muddle a couple more cherries and up the sugar a bit.
A big ice cube looks great and keeps the drink from getting watered down.
Want more cherry flavor? Splash in some extra cherry juice or bitters.
A brandied cherry makes a killer garnish, but honestly, fresh cherries work just fine.
Equipment
- Large ice cube tray
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- ½ oz black cherry syrup or cherry simple syrup
- 1 bar spoon granulated sugar or ¼ oz simple syrup
- 2 –3 fresh black cherries pitted
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 dashes cherry bitters optional
- 1 orange peel for garnish
- 1 Luxardo cherry or fresh black cherry for garnish
- Ice cube preferably one large cube
Instructions
- Muddle gently to release the cherry juice.
- Add cherry syrup, bourbon, bitters, and cherry bitters (if using).
- Fill with ice and stir for 30 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into an old fashioned glass over a large ice cube.
- Express the orange peel over the drink, twist, and drop it in.
- Garnish with a Luxardo cherry or fresh black cherry.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tasting Notes
The first sip of a Black Cherry Old Fashioned hits with that sweet, rich black cherry flavor. The cherry blends right into the whiskey, which is honestly what makes this drink so good.
The sugar and bitters keep things balanced. There’s a little spice from the bitters, and the fruit adds just enough sweetness.
It’s smooth and a little thick on the tongue—not too sweet, not too bitter. The ice chills everything nicely without watering it down.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Sweet black cherry
- Vanilla and oak from the whiskey
- Bit of spice from the bitters
- Light citrus if you use the orange peel
I usually go for fresh black cherries, but jarred ones are totally fine. If I have any leftovers (which, honestly, is rare), I’ll stash the drink in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a day.
The flavor mellows a bit after a few hours, which can be nice.
Serving tip: I’m convinced this drink is best over one big ice cube. It keeps things cold and lets the flavors stay bold without getting diluted.
Substitute
Sometimes I’m missing an ingredient or two for a Black Cherry Old Fashioned, so I just wing it with a few swaps. Here’s what I usually reach for when I need to improvise:
Equipment
- Mixing glass (honestly, a pitcher works fine if you’re making a bunch)
- Jigger
- Spoon
- Strainer
Ingredients
- If I don’t have bourbon, rye whiskey steps in for a bit more spice.
- Gin? It’s a little unexpected, but it gives everything a fresh, herbal vibe.
- Rum is fun—it makes the whole thing sweeter and kind of tropical, which cherries seem to love.
- No fresh black cherries? I’ll grab frozen ones or even cherry preserves if that’s all I’ve got.
- And when the sugar cubes run out, maple syrup or simple syrup totally saves the day.
Instructions
- Just swap bourbon with rye, gin, or rum—use the same amount you’d normally use.
- I’ll use a pitcher if I’m mixing up a batch for friends.
- Toss in whatever cherry or sweetener substitute I have, and mix as usual.
- Then I just finish up with the rest of the recipe.
