Big Batch Old Fashioned Cocktails

This make-ahead big batch recipe is the perfect party drink for the fall or winter.

By
Michael Dietsch
Headshot of Michael Dietsch, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Michael Dietsch
Michael Dietsch is a barfly, boozehound, book hoarder, jazz fiend, and technographer. He has two cookbooks and writes about cocktails for Serious Eats.
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Updated December 24, 2024
Old-fashioned cocktails served over ice in a rocks glasses on a silver tray.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Stirring a cocktail with ice adds water to dilute the drink. Since this cocktail is chilled in a big batch, that water is added as an ingredient before chilling.
  • Making cocktails in advance allows guests to serve themselves.

Old Fashioned cocktails, made with bourbon or rye, are great for making a big batch in advance of a party, so they're perfect for fall or winter gatherings.

November 2014

Recipe Details

Big Batch Old Fashioned Cocktails

Prep 5 mins
Active 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 12 servings
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Ingredients

  • 1 (750 ml) bottle bourbon or rye

  • 1 ounce (30 ml) simple syrup (see note)

  • 10 to 12 dashes Angostura bitters

  • 4 ounces (120 ml) water

Directions

  1. Using a funnel, add entire contents of bourbon or rye bottle to an empty sealable 1-liter bottle. Add simple syrup, bitters, and water and seal. Shake well to mix and refrigerate until ready to serve.

  2. To serve, fill glasses with ice, if desired. Pour 2 to 3 ounces per glass.

Special Equipment

Sealable 1-liter bottle, funnel

Notes

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
125 Calories
0g Fat
2g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 125
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 1mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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