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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails

    Chocolate Old Fashioned (Chocolate Bourbon Cocktail Recipe)

    Published: Sep 12, 2024 by Angela Lietzke · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Treat yourself to a decadent twist on a classic cocktail recipe with my Chocolate Old Fashioned! This cocktail combines bourbon and chocolate liqueur for a rich, indulgent drink that's sure to impress. Smooth, easy to make, and perfect for any bourbon and chocolate lover.

    Chocolate old fashioned in a rocks glass with an orange peel and cherry garnish.

    Save this Recipe!

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    Looking for more chocolate cocktail recipes? Enjoy my Godiva chocolate martini or chocolate peppermint martini for a festive twist.

    Jump to:
    • About this Chocolate Old Fashioned
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to Make a Chocolate Old Fashioned
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recommended
    • Chocolate Old Fashioned

    About this Chocolate Old Fashioned

    Recently, I've been on a bit of an old fashioned kick. It's such a timeless cocktail that I've enjoyed experimenting with different flavor twists to bring some variety to the classic drink.

    That's how this chocolate old fashioned recipe came to life. It's a delicious twist on tradition, blending the rich depth of bourbon with the smooth, slightly bitter notes of chocolate. The result? A drink that's equal parts indulgent and refined.

    The bourbon and chocolate perfectly complement each other, giving you a velvety, bittersweet flavor in every sip. And the best part? It's incredibly easy to make! With just a few simple ingredients, you can mix up this cocktail in minutes.

    This chocolate bourbon cocktail is perfect for cozy nights in, dinner parties, or when you're just craving something a little extra special to sip on after a long day. Whether you're a chocolate lover or an old fashioned enthusiast, this drink is a must-try!

    My favorite old fashioned cocktail recipes:

    • blackberry old fashioned
    • coffee old fashioned
    • peanut butter old fashioned
    • cinnamon old fashioned
    • brown sugar old fashioned

    Ingredients

    A bottle of bourbon and chocolate liqueur with a bottle of bitters.
    • Bourbon provides the robust, warming foundation for this drink. With its rich caramel, vanilla, and oak flavors, bourbon beautifully complements the chocolate notes in the cocktail. Choose your favorite bourbon that you enjoy sipping on its own, as its flavor will be the foundation of the cocktail. Rye whiskey can also be used in a pinch to make this a chocolate whiskey cocktail.
    • Chocolate liqueur brings a hint of sweetness and a rich cocoa flavor. It also creates a more dessert-like experience while keeping the cocktail smooth and sophisticated. Creme de cacao can also be used.
    • Bitters are a key component in a classic old fashioned cocktail, as they bring balance to the sweetness from the bourbon and chocolate liqueur, while adding complexity with their aromatic qualities. I suggest using cherry, chocolate, orange, or angostura bitters.

    Variations

    Different types of bitters can alter the drink's flavor profile in unique ways:

    • Cherry bitters bring a fruity, tart element to the old fashioned cocktail. The slight sourness from the cherry can create a more playful and bright flavor, reminiscent of dark chocolate and cherries.
    • For a double dose of chocolate flavor, chocolate bitters intensify the cocoa flavors in the cocktail.
    • A dash of orange bitters introduces a bright, citrusy zing that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients.
    • Angostura bitters are the most traditional choice. These bitters provide a spicy, warm note with hints of clove, cinnamon, and allspice.

    For even more sweetness, add a dash of simple syrup or chocolate syrup. I don't use a sugar cube or additional sweetness in this recipe because I think the chocolate liqueur adds enough sweetness.

    How to Make a Chocolate Old Fashioned

    A hand pouring bourbon over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.

    Step 1: Pour bourbon over an ice cube in a rocks glass, a traditional old fashioned glass.

    A hand pouring chocolate liqueur into a glass with bourbon.

    Step 2: Pour in chocolate liqueur.

    Adding cherry bitters to a chocolate old fashioned recipe.

    Step 3: Add 3-4 dashes of bitters.

    A bar spoon stirring a chocolate old  fashioned cocktail.

    Step 4: Gently stir with a bar spoon to mix. Garnish with a cocktail cherries, an orange slice, or twist of orange peel.

    Expert Tips

    Chill the glass. Start by chilling your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before making this bourbon chocolate liqueur cocktail. This simple step keeps your drink refreshingly cold from the first sip to the last.

    Use a large ice cube. Opt for large ice cubes or a single large ice cube minimize dilution. This helps maintain the drink's rich flavors and ensures your cocktail stays perfectly balanced as you enjoy it. I recommend using this large ice cube mold to create bigger ice cubes.

    Garnish with style. Elevate your chocolate old fashioned cocktail by garnishing it with an orange peel and a cherry, the classic finishing touches that add both flavor and visual appeal. You a fun twist, drizzle chocolate syrup around the rim of the glass.

    Chocolate old fashioned in a rocks glass with a cherry garnish.

    Recipe FAQs

    What type of bourbon should I use?

    Choose a bourbon you enjoy sipping on its own, as its flavor will shine through in the cocktail. Popular choices include Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, or Woodford Reserve, but any smooth bourbon with caramel and vanilla notes will complement the chocolate flavors.

    Can I use rye whiskey instead of bourbon?

    Yes, rye whiskey can be used if you prefer a spicier profile. It adds more complexity and cuts through the sweetness of the chocolate, creating a bolder version of the cocktail.

    How should I garnish a chocolate old fashioned?

    A twist of orange peel and a cherry are traditional garnishes for an Old Fashioned. For a Chocolate Old Fashioned, you can also add a chocolate curl, a melted chocolate rim, or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch.

    Can I make an old fashioned in advance?

    While it's best made fresh, you can mix the bourbon, chocolate liqueur, and bitters ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Give it a good stir, add ice, and garnish right before serving.

    Recommended

    • Coffee old fashioned in a rocks glass with a cherry and coffee beans for garnish.
      Coffee Old Fashioned (Bourbon Coffee Cocktail)
    • A lavender lemon drop martini in a cocktail glass.
      Lavender Lemon Drop Martini (Refreshing Vodka Cocktail)
    • Peanut butter old fashioned cocktail with orange peel and cherry garnish.
      Peanut Butter Old Fashioned (Skrewball Whiskey Cocktail)
    • Thanksgiving Sangria (A Festive Red Wine Cocktail)

    If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!

    Chocolate old fashioned in a rocks glass with an orange peel and cherry garnish.

    Chocolate Old Fashioned

    Angela Lietzke
    Indulge in a rich twist on a classic cocktail with a chocolate old fashioned! This cocktail recipe blends bourbon and chocolate liqueur for an indulgent drink that's sure to impress. It's smooth, simple to make, and perfect for any bourbon and chocolate lover.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Save this Recipe!

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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Cocktails, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 145 kcal

    Equipment

    • rocks glass
    • large ice cube mold
    • jigger
    • Bar spoon
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    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces bourbon
    • 1 ounce chocolate liqueur
    • 3-4 dashes bitters
    • cherry and orange peel for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Pour bourbon and chocolate liqueur over an ice cube in a rocks glass.
    • Add 3-4 dashes of bitters to the drink and gently stir. Garnish and serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Bitters can alter the flavor of the drink. Choose bitters with a flavor profile you would enjoy. I suggest using cherry, chocolate, orange, or angostura bitters.
    • Pop your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before making this cocktail. This easy step ensures your drink stays refreshingly cold from the first sip to the last.
    • Choose large ice cubes or a single big cube to reduce dilution, preserving the drink's rich flavors and keeping it perfectly balanced. I recommend using this large ice cube mold for the best results.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 1mgSugar: 0.4gIron: 0.02mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Elegant & Easy Cocktail Recipes

    • Aperol margarita, an orange drink, in a rocks glass with a salt rim and lime garnish.
      Aperol Margarita (Refreshing Tequila Cocktail)
    • Cinnamon Old Fashioned
    • Brown sugar old fashioned in a rocks glass with a cherry and orange peel garnish.
      Brown Sugar Old Fashioned
    • Blackberry old fashioned cocktail on a marble coaster with fresh blackberries and purple syrup in a glass jar.
      Blackberry Old Fashioned

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    Hey y'all! I'm Angela, the blogger, recipe developer, and foodie behind Happy Honey Kitchen! Born and raised in Texas, I have a passion for Tex-Mex food. Here you'll find easy, approachable Tex-Mex recipes that bring the bold flavors of Texas straight to your table!

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