If you’re looking to surprise your friends with a drink that’s both eye-catching and delicious, you’re in the right spot. My Dry Ice Cherry Cola Old Fashioned cocktail recipe brings a smoky, fizzy twist to a classic favorite. The dry ice effect? It makes every glass look like a magic trick—seriously, people love it.
I love how simple this cocktail is to throw together, yet it still manages to feel special every time. The mix of cherry, cola, and bourbon is sweet, smooth, and just a bit retro.
I’ll walk you through what you need and how to use dry ice safely for your next get-together.
Dry Ice Cherry Cola Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
I mix rich bourbon, a sweet cherry cola twist, and a smoky touch of dry ice for a pretty unique old fashioned experience.
Each step needs a little care, from the right tools to handling dry ice safely and picking the best ingredients.
Equipment
- Mixing glass or sturdy glass tumbler
- Bar spoon
- Jigger or measuring shot glass
- Cocktail strainer
- Large ice cube mold
- Dry ice (food-grade, small pellets or chunks)
- Muddler
- Serving glass (rocks glass recommended)
- Tongs or heavy gloves (for handling dry ice)
- Stir stick
- Small plate or bowl for garnishes
I always gather my equipment before I get started—nothing worse than searching for a muddler mid-mix. The dry ice stays far away from bare hands (trust me, you don’t want to find out why).
A large ice cube mold gives that proper old fashioned vibe. Using a muddler helps me get maximum cherry flavor, which is honestly the best part.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.25 oz maraschino cherry syrup (from the cherry jar)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2-3 oz cherry cola (regular or diet)
- 1 maraschino cherry (plus extra for garnish, if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1 large ice cube
- Small chunk of food-grade dry ice
- Orange peel strip (optional garnish)
I usually reach for a smooth bourbon for that deep flavor. Cherry syrup and cola sweeten things up, while Angostura bitters cut through with a little sharpness.
The maraschino cherry is always my favorite part—bright, sweet, and just fun. Food-grade dry ice gives the drink its signature smoky bubbles, but I only use a small piece for safety.
Instructions
- Add the maraschino cherry and syrup to a mixing glass.
- Muddle gently to release the cherry flavor.
- Pour in bourbon and Angostura bitters.
- Add the large ice cube.
- Pour in cherry cola and stir gently.
- With tongs or gloves, carefully add a small chunk of dry ice.
- Stir until the drink starts to smoke and gets nice and cold.
- Strain into a serving glass, keeping the ice cube but leaving out the dry ice.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and orange peel if you want.
- Wait for the dry ice to fully dissolve before drinking.
I’m always careful not to touch or swallow the dry ice. If I’m making these for friends, I definitely remind everyone to wait until the dry ice is completely gone before they take a sip.
Notes
Dry ice adds a fun effect but you have to be careful. I never use more than a small chunk—the drink only needs a little for that cool fog.
I always double-check that no dry ice remains in the glass before anyone drinks. Bourbon brands do change the taste, so if I want it sweeter, I’ll add a touch more cherry syrup or pick a sweeter cola.
For a less sweet version, I just use diet cola or cut back on the syrup. Big ice cubes keep drinks cold and slow down melting, which helps the flavors stay bold.
Adding an orange peel brings out extra flavor layers, but honestly, it’s optional. And if I’m making a batch for kids, I just skip the bourbon for a fun mocktail.
Equipment
- Mixing glass or sturdy glass tumbler
- Jigger or measuring shot glass
- Cocktail strainer
- Large ice cube mold
- Stir stick
- Small plate or bowl (for garnishes)
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.25 oz maraschino cherry syrup from the cherry jar
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 –3 oz cherry cola regular or diet
- 1 maraschino cherry
- 1 large ice cube
- 1 small chunk dry ice food-grade only
- 1 strip orange peel optional garnish
Instructions
- Add the maraschino cherry and cherry syrup to a mixing glass.
- Muddle gently to release cherry flavor.
- Add bourbon and Angostura bitters.
- Drop in the large ice cube.
- Pour in the cherry cola and stir gently.
- Stir until the drink is chilled and begins to smoke.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and optional orange peel.
- Wait until all dry ice fully dissolves before drinking.
Tasting Notes
When I take a sip of this Dry Ice Cherry Cola Old Fashioned, I get a mix of sweet cherry and smooth cola. It reminds me a little of a classic cocktail, but with a fizzy, playful twist from the cherry coke.
The aroma is bold and pretty inviting. I catch hints of rich cherry and a bit of caramel from the cola—it almost smells like dessert.
What I Taste:
- Sweetness: From cherry coke and cherry syrup
- Fizziness: Light, refreshing bubbles
- Bitterness: Just a soft hint from the bitters
- Spirit: Whiskey is there, but doesn’t take over
The dry ice gives a cool, smoky look but doesn’t really change the flavor. The bubbles make each sip feel crisp and fun.
If you like a classic cocktail that’s easy to drink and a little showy, this one really stands out. I like how the cherry coke balances sweetness with just a bit of tang, so it’s not your average old fashioned.
Substitute
Sometimes I run out of an ingredient, or maybe I just feel like mixing things up a bit. Here’s what I reach for when I need to substitute something in the Dry Ice Cherry Cola Old Fashioned.
Equipment Substitutes:
- If there’s no fancy glass around, a mason jar does the trick.
- No cocktail muddler? I just use a regular spoon—it’s honestly fine.
Ingredient Substitutes:
- Out of whiskey? I’ll grab bourbon or rye. It changes the flavor a bit, but in a good way.
- When cherry cola’s missing, I mix regular cola with a splash of cherry juice. Works surprisingly well.
- No fresh cherries? Maraschino cherries from the jar are my go-to.
- Can’t find dry ice? I just skip it. The drink’s still tasty without all that drama.
Instructions for Substituting:
