Rosemary Old Fashioned Recipe – How to Prepare a Classic Cocktail with a Herbal Twist

Classic meets contemporary with this Rosemary Old Fashioned recipe— a timeless cocktail elevated by the subtle, aromatic notes of rosemary. The warmth of whiskey, the sweetness of simple syrup, and the herbal freshness of rosemary blend beautifully to create a drink that’s both bold and sophisticated. Perfect for slow evenings or classy gatherings.

Essential Ingredients for a Rosemary Old Fashioned Recipe

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If you want to make a Rosemary Old Fashioned that actually tastes good, you’ll need to pay attention to your choice of bourbon, fresh rosemary, the bitters, and your sweetener. Each ingredient really shapes the drink’s flavor and balance.

Knowing what to grab makes a big difference in how your cocktail turns out.

Choosing the Right Bourbon

Bourbon is the backbone of a Rosemary Old Fashioned. Go for a bourbon that’s smooth and has a gentle sweetness.

Skip bourbons that are super smoky or heavy—they’ll just drown out the rosemary.

Look for flavors like vanilla, caramel, or a bit of spice. Those notes play nicely with rosemary’s herbal kick.

Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, or Woodford Reserve are all solid picks.

You don’t have to break the bank here. A mid-range bourbon does the job just fine.

This keeps your drink tasty and not too rough.

Fresh Rosemary and Its Flavor

Fresh rosemary is what makes this cocktail stand out. Pick sprigs that are green and smell strong—skip anything dried or brown.

Freshness is key here, since the oils give the drink its aroma and taste.

Before you add rosemary, gently muddle it in the glass. That releases the oils without turning it bitter.

Don’t mash it too hard. You can also use a sprig as a garnish, which adds a nice scent as you sip.

Avoid dried herbs or anything artificial. Only fresh rosemary gives that soft piney flavor that makes a Rosemary Old Fashioned interesting.

Bitters and Alternatives

Bitters are what balance out the sweet stuff. Angostura bitters are the classic choice—they give a spicy, aromatic punch that works with bourbon and rosemary.

If you want to mix it up, try orange bitters for a bit of citrus. They brighten the drink and actually pair well with rosemary.

Aromatic bitters add a layer of complexity and round out the cocktail.

If you’re out of bitters, a few drops of water can help blend flavors, but honestly, bitters are pretty important here.

They keep the drink true to the Old Fashioned style.

Sweetener Options: Maple Syrup, Sugar Cube, or Others

You’ve got options when it comes to sweetening. The classic way is a sugar cube—just drop it in the glass, soak with bitters, and muddle with a splash of water.

Maple syrup is a modern favorite. It mixes in easily and gives a richer, earthy sweetness that works well with rosemary and bourbon.

Go easy—a half teaspoon is usually enough.

Simple syrup is another good choice, since it blends quickly and is easy to measure.

Try to avoid honey or strong-flavored sweeteners, as they can take over the drink. The goal is for the sweetener to blend in with the bourbon and herbs.

Step-by-Step Preparation of Rosemary Old Fashioned

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Getting the rosemary flavor into your drink, mixing the ingredients right, picking the glass, and handling the ice all matter here.

Each step helps your Rosemary Old Fashioned taste balanced and clear.

Infusing Rosemary Into the Cocktail

Start with a fresh rosemary sprig for that clean, herbal aroma. Lightly crush it to release the oils, but don’t break it up too much.

Drop the sprig in your mixing glass before adding anything else.

Use rosemary both for muddling and as a garnish. When muddling, press gently so you don’t end up with bitterness.

You’re just looking for a hint of rosemary.

Some folks like to make a rosemary simple syrup. Just simmer rosemary in water with sugar, then strain.

That syrup blends in smoothly and lets you control the flavor.

Mixing and Muddling Techniques

Put a sugar cube or a teaspoon of sugar in your mixing glass. Add two dashes of Angostura bitters.

Place the rosemary on top of the sugar.

Gently muddle everything together. You want the sugar to dissolve and the rosemary oils to release, but don’t go overboard.

Too much muddling makes it bitter.

Pour in two ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey next. Stir with ice until chilled and just a little diluted.

Twenty slow stirs—about twenty seconds—usually does the trick.

Proper Glassware: Using a Rocks Glass

A rocks glass, or old fashioned glass, is the way to go. It’s short, has a heavy base, and gives you room for ice.

Most hold between six and ten ounces, which is perfect for this cocktail and a nice big ice cube.

A clean, chilled glass keeps your drink cold longer. If your glass is too thin or tall, it just doesn’t feel right and the aromas get lost.

Ice and Dilution Control

Use a big ice cube or an ice sphere when you pour the drink into your rocks glass. Large ice melts slower, so your drink stays cold but doesn’t get watered down too fast.

Skip crushed ice or tiny cubes—they melt quickly and mess with the balance.

Good ice matters. Clear, fresh ice made from filtered water won’t add weird flavors.

Fill the glass about halfway, so the cocktail stays cold but doesn’t overflow.

Creative Variations of Rosemary Old Fashioned

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If you want to shake things up, you can swap out the base spirit or add in new ingredients in your Rosemary Old Fashioned recipe.

These twists keep the herbal vibe but bring in fresh flavors you might not expect.

Tequila Rosemary Old Fashioned

Try tequila instead of whiskey for a smoky, earthy drink. Look for a good reposado tequila—it’s smooth and has some oak flavor.

Stick with the rosemary and simple syrup to keep the herbal notes.

Here’s how to make it:

• Muddle rosemary with simple syrup.
• Add tequila and a couple dashes of orange bitters.
• Stir with ice and strain into a glass.
• Garnish with fresh rosemary.

This twist feels familiar but different. Tequila and rosemary are a surprisingly good match, and the finish is warm.

Sparkling Wine Twist

Want something lighter? Top your Rosemary Old Fashioned with sparkling wine.

Start with the regular recipe, but use a little less whiskey. After stirring and straining, gently add sparkling wine.

Brut or extra dry sparkling wine is best—too much sweetness throws it off.

You get bubbles and a crisp finish, which is perfect for warm weather or celebrations.

Add a rosemary sprig and an orange peel for garnish. The drink ends up aromatic and bright.

Grapefruit-Infused Rosemary Old Fashioned

Grapefruit juice brings tartness and citrus to the mix. Use fresh juice for the best flavor.

Combine muddled rosemary and simple syrup, then add whiskey and about a quarter cup of grapefruit juice.

Stir with ice and strain.

Garnish with a grapefruit peel or wedge for more aroma. This makes the drink refreshing and keeps the rosemary front and center.

Perfect Garnishes and Serving Tips

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Small details can really make your Rosemary Old Fashioned shine. The right garnish and bitters will boost the aroma and look of your drink.

Using Aromatic Bitters for Enhanced Flavor

Aromatic bitters give your Rosemary Old Fashioned more depth. You can stick with classic aromatic bitters for a spicy kick or go with orange bitters for a zesty, citrusy note.

Start with two or three dashes. It balances out the sweetness and brings out the rosemary.

Orange bitters highlight the herbal notes without taking over. If you want something softer, try one dash of each.

Bitters are strong stuff, so a little is enough to bring out all the layers of flavor.

Selecting the Right Garnish

Grab a fresh sprig of rosemary for your main garnish. Give it a gentle smack between your hands—trust me, it really wakes up the aroma and those flavorful oils.

Next, peel a strip of orange and give it a twist right over your glass. That little move releases bright citrus oils and adds a pop of color.

Don’t go overboard with garnishes. One rosemary sprig and a single orange twist are all you need for a drink that looks good and tastes even better.

We hope you loved this Rosemary Old Fashioned Recipe! If you enjoy cocktails with a touch of herbal warmth, you may also like our Sage Gin Sour Recipe and Thyme Vodka Collins Recipe.
For more classic and creative cocktail ideas, be sure to visit our blog and explore all our drink recipes.