Vanilla Bourbon Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

A Vanilla Bourbon Old Fashioned is a tasty twist on the classic cocktail, adding smooth vanilla flavor to the rich, oak notes of bourbon. I love how vanilla brings a little extra sweetness and balances out the bitters. It’s an easy upgrade when I want something simple but a touch more interesting.

This drink comes together fast with just a handful of ingredients and basic tools. Whenever friends drop by, they end up asking for my vanilla old fashioned recipe—it’s familiar but just different enough to make people curious.

Vanilla Bourbon Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

Making a Vanilla Bourbon Old Fashioned is kind of a treat. The mellow vanilla with bourbon is just cozy, especially when you throw in some orange peel and bitters.

Honestly, the steps are so straightforward, I barely have to think about it.

Equipment

• Old fashioned glass or rocks glass
• Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
• Bar spoon for stirring
• Jigger for measuring
• Paring knife for slicing orange peel
• Strainer if you’re using a shaker
• Large ice cubes for the glass

I always reach for a nice, heavy glass—makes the drink feel like an occasion. Those big ice cubes? They melt slower, so the drink stays cold without getting watery. Measuring with a jigger keeps things balanced, which is honestly more important than people think.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1/2 oz vanilla simple syrup (see notes)
• 2 dashes angostura bitters
• 1 strip orange peel
• Optional: 1/4 tsp vanilla extract for extra punch
• Optional garnish: vanilla bean, granulated sugar

I usually pick a bourbon that already has a hint of vanilla, so everything blends together. If I go for vanilla extract, I use it sparingly—too much and it gets weirdly overpowering. The orange peel is non-negotiable for me; it gives that pop of citrus that keeps things lively.

Instructions

• Drop the large ice cubes into your glass.
• Pour in the bourbon, vanilla simple syrup, and bitters.
• Stir it up with your bar spoon for about 20 seconds, just until it’s nice and chilled.
• Twist the orange peel over the drink to get those oils going, then toss it in.
• Add a little vanilla extract if you’re feeling it.
• Top with a scraped vanilla bean or a dusting of granulated sugar if you want to get fancy.

I always stir, never shake—shaking makes it cloudy and that’s just not the vibe. Pressing the orange peel before it goes in really wakes up the aroma.

Notes

Vanilla simple syrup is just equal parts water and granulated sugar heated until dissolved, then toss in a split vanilla bean and let it infuse for half an hour. If I’m out of vanilla beans, a splash of vanilla extract does the trick.

Sometimes I’ll rub the rim of the glass with a bit of orange peel or dust on a pinch of sugar for a little extra. Using a good bourbon honestly makes all the difference. And don’t forget—fresh, big ice cubes are key, or you’ll end up with a watery mess.

Tasting Notes

When I sip the Vanilla Bourbon Old Fashioned, the first thing that hits me is the smoothness. The vanilla brings a gentle sweetness—not too much, just enough to soften the bourbon’s sharper edges.

The bourbon itself? Deep caramel flavors show up right away. There are these hints of spice and oak that linger, giving a nod to a true classic cocktail.

I catch a twist of fresh orange at the finish. That adds a bright, citrusy note that keeps things lively.

What I experience in each sip:

• Sweet vanilla up front
• Warm, rich bourbon
• Subtle spice in the background
• Orange and a hint of bitters

The cocktail feels cozy and pretty well balanced. No harshness, nothing overpowering—just the flavors working together.

Even after a few sips, the flavors hang together. It never gets syrupy or too bold. There’s something classic here, but it’s got a little twist that makes it interesting.