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Black Walnut Old Fashioned Recipe

Black Walnut Old Fashioned Recipe

By What’s Baking

Rich black walnut mingles with barrel-aged bourbon, demerara sugar, and aromatic bitters for a sophisticated Old Fashioned that balances earthy depth with subtle sweetness.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A crystal rocks glass holds a single large ice sphere, its pristine clarity showcasing the deep amber-mahogany hue of the Black Walnut Old Fashioned. Golden light from vintage bar lamps reflects through the cocktail, creating caramel-colored reflections on the polished wooden bar top. Delicate oil patterns swirl across the surface from the expressed orange peel garnish, which rests elegantly on the rim alongside two brandied cherries. Droplets of condensation form on the glass's exterior, catching light like tiny jewels. A small bottle of black walnut bitters sits slightly blurred in the background, hinting at the cocktail's distinctive nutty character.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml bourbon whiskey (preferably high-proof)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">10ml rich demerara syrup (2:1 ratio)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 dashes black walnut bitters</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 dash Angostura bitters</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Orange peel for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 brandied cherries for garnish (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Mixing glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Rocks glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Large ice cube or sphere mold</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Prepare your large ice cube or sphere in advance – clear ice works best as it melts slower and won't dilute your cocktail too quickly. Place the finished ice in your rocks glass to pre-chill while you mix the cocktail.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add the rich demerara syrup to your mixing glass. Using a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio creates a more concentrated sweetness that balances the strong bourbon without adding excessive dilution.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add 3 dashes of black walnut bitters and 1 dash of Angostura bitters to the syrup. The black walnut provides the signature earthy, nutty character while the Angostura adds complementary spice notes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Pour in 60ml of bourbon whiskey – a higher proof bourbon (45-50% ABV) stands up better to dilution and provides a more robust backbone.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Fill your mixing glass ⅔ full with good quality ice cubes and stir for 30-45 seconds. You're looking for proper dilution and temperature – the mixing glass should feel very cold to the touch when ready.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Discard the ice from your pre-chilled rocks glass and place a fresh large ice cube or sphere inside.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Strain the cocktail over the large ice in the rocks glass using a Hawthorne strainer to catch any ice chips.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Take a piece of orange peel about the size of your thumb, skin-side facing the drink. Holding it about 5-8cm above the glass, pinch the peel firmly to express the essential oils over the surface of the cocktail. You should see a fine mist and perhaps even tiny droplets of orange oil on the surface.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Rub the orange peel around the rim of the glass to further enhance the aromatic experience, then place it decoratively in the glass. Add brandied cherries if desired for extra luxury.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Allow the cocktail to rest for about 30 seconds before serving – this brief moment lets the flavors marry perfectly with the gradual dilution from the large ice.</li></ol>

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

What's the best bourbon to use for a walnut-infused Old Fashioned?

For a walnut-infused Old Fashioned, choose a high-proof bourbon (45-50% ABV) with caramel and vanilla notes that complement the nutty character. Bourbons aged 4-10 years with a higher rye content work particularly well, enhancing the cocktail's complexity without overpowering the walnut bitters.

Why use a large ice cube or sphere in this whiskey cocktail?

A large ice cube or sphere melts more slowly than regular ice cubes, providing proper chilling with minimal dilution. This preserves the richness of the bourbon and walnut flavours while keeping your cocktail cold throughout the drinking experience. Clear ice is ideal as it's both visually striking and melts more evenly.

Can I substitute black walnut bitters with another type of bitters?

While black walnut bitters provide the signature earthy, nutty character essential to this cocktail, you could substitute with chocolate bitters or a combination of orange and aromatic bitters in a pinch. However, for the authentic flavour profile, black walnut bitters are irreplaceable and worth purchasing.

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