Chocolate Hazelnut Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

I’ve always liked taking classic cocktails and giving them a playful spin. This Chocolate Hazelnut Old Fashioned is one of those cozy, nutty twists on the drink we all know and love.

If you’re into the smooth taste of hazelnut and a rich hint of chocolate, honestly, you might want to try this at your next happy hour.

Mixing this up at home is pretty simple. No need for fancy gear or impossible-to-find ingredients.

I’ll show you how I make my go-to version, and you’ll have it ready in just a few minutes. If you’re a cocktail fan or just in the mood for something different, this recipe is a fun way to upgrade your usual drink.

Chocolate Hazelnut Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

Here’s a riff on the classic Old Fashioned, but with chocolate and hazelnut flavors that turn it into a unique dessert cocktail. The bold flavors work nicely with bourbon or whiskey for a smooth, nutty, and just-sweet-enough drink.

Equipment

• Rocks glass (for serving)
• Mixing glass
• Jigger (for measuring)
• Muddler (for sugar and bitters, if using a sugar cube)
• Bar spoon (for stirring)
• Strainer (optional, for a clearer pour)
• Vegetable peeler or sharp knife (for making an orange twist)
• Small plate (for any garnishes)

A solid mixing glass helps the chocolate and hazelnut liqueur blend right in with the whiskey. I usually just grab a standard bar spoon for stirring.

If I’m craving a sweeter drink, I’ll muddle a sugar cube with bitters. For a cleaner pour, sometimes I strain it.

I always reach for a rocks glass because it’s the perfect size. The right tools really do make the whole process smoother—and honestly, the flavors come together better that way.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon or Irish whiskey
• 1/2 oz chocolate liqueur (like Godiva or Mozart)
• 1/2 oz hazelnut liqueur (Frangelico works well)
• 2 dashes chocolate bitters or mole bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters (adds a hint of citrus)
• 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp simple syrup, for sweetness)
• Orange twist (for garnish)
• Luxardo cherry (optional garnish)
• Chocolate syrup or chocolate shavings (optional, for rim or garnish)
• Ice cubes (enough to fill the glass)

I lean toward bourbon for a richer flavor, but Irish whiskey keeps things a bit lighter. Frangelico and chocolate liqueur bring those nutty, chocolatey notes, and the bitters tie it all together.

An orange twist brightens the aroma, and if I’m feeling extra, I’ll add a Luxardo cherry for a sweet finish.

Instructions

• Drop the sugar cube into your mixing glass.
• Add both chocolate and orange bitters right over the sugar.
• Muddle until the sugar dissolves.
• Pour in the bourbon (or Irish whiskey), chocolate liqueur, and hazelnut liqueur.
• Toss in enough ice to fill the mixing glass halfway.
• Stir with the bar spoon until it’s chilled—about 30 seconds does the trick.
• Fill your rocks glass with fresh ice cubes.
• Strain the cocktail into the glass.
• Express an orange twist over the top and drop it in.
• If you want, add a Luxardo cherry and a little chocolate syrup or shavings for extra flair.

If I’m in a rush, I’ll swap the sugar cube for simple syrup. Stirring slowly chills and dilutes the drink just right.

Garnishing with an orange twist or cherry adds a little something special and brings out the chocolate and nutty flavors.

Notes

This Chocolate Hazelnut Old Fashioned is one of my favorite whiskey cocktails for dessert or after dinner. You can tweak the sweetness—just play with the amount of sugar or syrup you use.

To really amp up the chocolate, chocolate bitters or a splash of chocolate syrup make a big difference. Sometimes I’ll rim the rocks glass with chocolate syrup for a richer vibe.

If you can’t find chocolate bitters, mole bitters work well too. Frangelico’s my top pick for hazelnut liqueur, but honestly, any decent brand will do.

Want it stronger or lighter? Just adjust the whiskey or bourbon amount to your taste. I love using a single big ice cube because it melts slowly and keeps the drink cold without watering it down.

An orange twist and cherry look classic, but a little chocolate shaving on top makes it feel special for a celebration.

Tasting Notes

When I take that first sip, there’s a gentle sweetness that hits right away. The chocolate comes through almost like a dessert, but it’s not over the top.

Hazelnut adds this warm, nutty layer that blends with the chocolate for a cozy, soft feeling. The whiskey’s in there too, but it mostly hangs out in the background, adding a little spice.

Texture:

• Smooth and velvety
• Not heavy
• Light enough to sip slowly

Flavor Highlights:

• Rich chocolate
• Nutty hazelnut
• Light orange or cherry notes if you garnish
• Mild sweetness

With ice, the drink stays refreshing. As the ice melts, the sweetness mellows just a bit, making each sip smoother.

It’s the kind of cocktail I reach for after dinner, especially if I want something dessert-y but not cloying. The balance between chocolate and hazelnut keeps it interesting—simple, but never boring.

Substitute

If I don’t have chocolate bitters, I’ll just grab some regular bitters and mix in a bit of cocoa powder. I make sure to stir it in pretty well so it doesn’t clump up.

Now and then, I run out of hazelnut liqueur, which is annoying. When that happens, Frangelico or even a nut-flavored syrup does the trick.

If you’re avoiding nuts, swapping in vanilla or caramel syrup instead of hazelnut liqueur keeps things sweet. It’s not exactly the same, but honestly, it works.

If I’m making a non-alcoholic version, I’ll use non-alcoholic bourbon and just leave out the liqueur. Sometimes I’ll toss in a splash of coffee or chocolate syrup for a little extra flavor.

Equipment:

• Jigger
• Stirring glass
• Spoon

Ingredients:

• Substitute bitters or syrups
• Spirit or non-alcoholic option
• Citrus peel

Instructions:

• Measure each substitute
• Stir all the ingredients with ice
• Strain into a glass
• Add garnish