Hazelnut Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a fun twist on a classic drink, you might want to try making a Hazelnut Old Fashioned cocktail. This recipe brings smooth hazelnut flavor into the familiar Old Fashioned, and honestly, it’s a unique drink that’s surprisingly easy to whip up at home.

I love how this mix brings together rich whiskey, hazelnut liqueur, and those orange notes. It’s something special, honestly.

I usually make this cocktail when I want to impress friends—or just shake things up for myself. The flavors blend surprisingly well, and it’s simple enough for anyone to try, even if you don’t really make cocktails often.

Let’s get into what you’ll need and how to put it all together.

Hazelnut Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

Making a Hazelnut Old Fashioned at home is pretty straightforward. With decent equipment, good ingredients, and a few clear steps, you’ll end up with a great drink.

Equipment

• Mixing glass: I use this to combine everything.
• Bar spoon: Helps me stir things evenly.
• Jigger: Measuring really matters for taste.
• Strainer: Keeps any bits out of my glass.
• Old fashioned glass: The classic way to serve this.
• Ice cubes: I prefer big cubes—they melt slower.
• Peeler or zester: For that orange peel garnish.

I always make sure my tools are clean and ready before I start. The right tools just make the whole thing smoother.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 0.5 oz Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)
• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 bar spoon simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• Orange peel (for garnish)
• Optional: Maraschino cherry

Sometimes I swap in vodka instead of whiskey for a lighter twist. Frangelico is what really gives this drink its nutty, rich flavor.

Simple syrup adds just enough sweetness. The orange peel and cherry? They make a fragrant, tasty finish.

Instructions

• Add the whiskey (or vodka), Frangelico, bitters, and simple syrup to your mixing glass.
• Fill it up with ice cubes.
• Stir for about 30 seconds—don’t rush it, let those flavors come together.
• Strain the mixture into an old fashioned glass with a big ice cube.
• Express the oils from an orange peel over your drink, then drop it in for garnish.
• If I’m feeling it, I’ll toss in a cherry too.

Stirring—not shaking—keeps the drink clear and smooth. I like to take my time with this part.

Notes

Using a high-quality Frangelico really makes a difference. I’ve tried other hazelnut liqueurs, but honestly, Frangelico is my go-to.

Big ice cubes are key—they melt slowly and keep the drink from getting watered down too fast. I love how the orange peel aroma lifts those nutty notes.

If I want it sweeter, I’ll just add a touch more simple syrup. And using vodka instead of whiskey? That makes a smoother, less strong drink, which is nice for friends who aren’t big whiskey fans.

Tasting Notes

When I sip a Hazelnut Old Fashioned, the nutty aroma hits me first. The hazelnut comes forward right away, blending with the deeper notes of bourbon.

I like how the scent is cozy but never overwhelming. The first taste brings a rich, toasted hazelnut flavor.

That’s followed by a gentle sweetness from the simple syrup. There’s a warm oak finish from the bourbon, tying things together.

I enjoy the bitters at the end. They keep the drink from going overboard on sweetness.

For me, the orange twist adds a fresh scent and a little citrus zing. It brightens up the cocktail just enough.

Texture:
The drink feels smooth and a bit silky, with a thicker mouthfeel from the syrup. I find it best served with a large ice cube to keep everything cold and mellow.