Easy
Spirits palpable
3 minutes
Rocks Glass
Ingredients
How to Make a Almond Old Fashioned
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Twist Knife
Mixing Glass
Bar Spoon
How to Mix
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Chill a Rocks Glass in the refrigerator while you prepare the drink.
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Add Scotch Whisky, Simple Syrup, Orange Bitters, and Amaretto to a Mixing Glass.
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Add Ice to the Mixing Glass.
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Stir with a Bar Spoon until chilled.
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Strain into a Rocks Glass over fresh Ice.
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Garnish with a strip of Orange Zest.
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Sip and enjoy!
All about the Almond Old Fashioned cocktail
The Almond Old Fashioned is a unique twist on the classic Old Fashioned. It features Scotch Whisky and Amaretto as its base. Orange Bitters and Simple Syrup round things out. It’s stirred in a Mixing Glass, strained into a Rocks Glass over fresh Ice, and finished with Orange Zest.
This cocktail stands out for its rich nutty profile that’s brightened with citrus. The recipe looks sophisticated but is surprisingly easy to make at home. It’s a standout for anyone looking to try something new and memorable.
Almond Old Fashioned serves up layers of nutty Amaretto and smooth Whisky, balanced by gentle sweetness and a lifted citrus aroma from Orange Bitters and Zest. The result is a silky, aromatic sipper that feels both classic and modern.
The Almond Old Fashioned draws its signature almond flavor from Amaretto Liqueur. Legend claims Amaretto dates back to the 1500s in Lombardy, Italy, with stories tracing its creation to around 1525. The earliest versions used steeped apricot kernels in neutral spirits, evolving into today’s bottles featuring burnt sugar, vanilla, and botanicals. While recipes can spark debate, Amaretto began starring in cocktails in the 1960s, bringing its nutty sweetness to spirit-forward classics like the Old Fashioned variation.
- Swap Simple Syrup For Orgeat Use Orgeat in place of Simple Syrup for a marzipan depth and subtle floral notes.
- Double Down On Orange Oils Aggressively express the Orange Zest over the glass by pinching and twisting for five seconds to release citrus oils.
- Ice It Right One large king cube in your Rocks Glass keeps your drink chilled and the flavors intense.
- Scotch Selection Secret Choose a Speyside Scotch for a mellow, honeyed note that lets the Amaretto pop.
- Bitters Boost Add Grapefruit or Cinnamon Bitters for new layers of citrus and spice.
- Absolut Gangster Add Simple Syrup, Clove Bitters, Absolut Vodka, and Lillet Blanc to a Mixing Glass with ice, stir until chilled, strain into a Rocks Glass over a large ice cube, and garnish as desired.
- Go Big On Orange Double up on Orange Zest garnish or add a wheel for extra citrus aroma.
- Almond Rim Lightly coat the rim of your Rocks Glass with a touch of Orgeat or Simple Syrup, then dip in crushed toasted almonds for a subtle nutty accent.
- Express Yourself Use a Peeler to cut a wide Orange Zest strip, then twist it over the drink so those oils shine in the first sip.
Almond Old Fashioned FAQ
For an Almond Old Fashioned, a Speyside Scotch Whisky offers smooth, honeyed notes that pair well with the nutty sweetness of Amaretto.
Stir your Almond Old Fashioned in a Mixing Glass with ice for up to 45 seconds and use a single large ice cube in the Rocks Glass for a silkier mouthfeel.
You can layer in Grapefruit or Cinnamon Bitters along with Orange Bitters in your Almond Old Fashioned for extra complexity.
A strip of Orange Zest expressed over the glass adds bright aroma. Crushed toasted almonds on the rim is also a creative option.
For variations inspired by Almond Old Fashioned, Absolut Vodka works well in versions like the Absolut Gangster.
