Here’s my take on a cold brew old fashioned – a coffee lover’s spin on the classic cocktail, made with smooth cold brew concentrate, your favorite bourbon, and just a touch of simple syrup and bitters.
This drink has become my go-to when friends come over for dinner parties. I usually prep the cold brew ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, making it super easy to mix up a few drinks without missing out on the conversation. Perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want something that’s both refreshing and sophisticated.
Why You’ll Love This Cold Brew Old Fashioned
- Quick preparation – This cocktail comes together in just 5 minutes with a simple shake or stir – perfect for when you want a sophisticated drink without the wait.
- Three-ingredient simplicity – With just coffee liqueur, rye whiskey, and orange bitters, you can create this coffee-infused twist on a classic cocktail using minimal ingredients.
- Perfect balance – The combination of smooth coffee notes with spicy rye and aromatic bitters creates a well-rounded drink that’s not too sweet and not too strong.
- Great for coffee lovers – If you enjoy both coffee and cocktails, this drink gives you the best of both worlds in one elegant glass.
What Kind of Rye Whiskey Should I Use?
For a cold brew old fashioned, you’ll want to pick a rye whiskey that can stand up to the bold coffee flavors without overwhelming them. Standard mixing ryes like Rittenhouse or Old Overholt work great and won’t break the bank. If you’re new to rye whiskey, look for one that’s around 90-100 proof – anything higher might be too intense for this cocktail. The spicy, slightly peppery notes that rye brings will complement the coffee liqueur nicely, but feel free to substitute bourbon if that’s what you have on hand.
Options for Substitutions
This cocktail can be tweaked in a few ways while still keeping its coffee-forward character:
- Coffee liqueur: If you don’t have coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 ounce of cold brew concentrate with ½ ounce simple syrup. Mr. Black or Tia Maria are also good alternatives.
- Rye whiskey: While rye gives this drink a nice spicy kick, you can swap it for bourbon for a slightly sweeter profile. In a pinch, regular whiskey works too, though the drink will be less complex.
- Orange bitters: If orange bitters aren’t in your bar cart, regular Angostura bitters will work – just add a small strip of orange peel to get that citrus note. You could also use chocolate bitters for an interesting twist.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest mistake when crafting a Cold Brew Old Fashioned is using warm glassware, which can quickly dilute your drink – always chill your glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before mixing.
Getting the balance wrong between coffee liqueur and rye whiskey can make your cocktail either too sweet or too harsh, so stick to the 1:1 ratio and adjust only after tasting.
When it comes to the orange bitters, less is more – start with just two gentle dashes as you can always add more, but too many bitters will overpower the delicate coffee notes and make your drink taste medicinal.
For an extra smooth finish, stir the mixture with ice for a full 30 seconds (count them!) to achieve the perfect dilution and temperature, then strain into your chilled glass over a fresh, large ice cube.
What to Serve With a Cold Brew Old Fashioned?
This coffee-infused cocktail makes a perfect after-dinner drink, and it pairs really nicely with desserts that complement both the coffee and whiskey notes. A slice of dark chocolate cake or a few chocolate-covered espresso beans would be perfect alongside this drink. For something simpler, set out a small plate of butter cookies or shortbread – they’re great for nibbling between sips. If you’re serving these at a party, you might want to put out some salted nuts too, since they help balance out the sweetness of the coffee liqueur while matching the richness of the rye whiskey.
Storage Instructions
Mix Now: This Cold Brew Old Fashioned is best enjoyed right after mixing while the flavors are fresh and the ice is perfectly chilled. The combination of coffee liqueur and rye whiskey creates a smooth blend that’s meant to be sipped immediately.
Prep Ahead: If you’re planning to serve these at a party, you can pre-measure your ingredients and keep them separate until ready to mix. The coffee liqueur and rye whiskey can stay at room temperature in their original bottles, and the bitters will keep their flavor perfectly in their dash bottles.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 180-220
- Protein: 0-1 g
- Fat: 0-0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16-20 g
Ingredients
- 1 fl oz rye whiskey (100 proof or higher works best)
- 1 fl oz coffee liqueur (I use Kahlúa for smooth, rich flavor)
- 2 dashes orange bitters (Regan’s or Fee Brothers recommended)
Step 1: Chill the Glass and Prepare Ice
- Ice
Fill a rocks glass with large ice cubes or one large clear ice cube if you have it.
I prefer larger ice because it melts slowly and won’t dilute your drink as it sits.
Set the glass aside while you prepare the cocktail components.
Step 2: Build and Stir the Cocktail Base
- 1 fl oz coffee liqueur
- 1 fl oz rye whiskey
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Ice from Step 1
Pour the coffee liqueur and rye whiskey directly into the chilled glass with ice.
Add the orange bitters—this is where the complexity comes from, so don’t skip it.
Stir gently and deliberately for about 20-30 seconds to chill the drink and dilute it slightly with ice melt, which mellows the alcohol and brings all the flavors together.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
- Orange twist for garnish
Express the oils from an orange twist by twisting it over the drink, then drop it into the glass.
I like to let the citrus oils coat the surface of the drink—it adds an aromatic element that balances the richness of the coffee liqueur beautifully.
Serve immediately.
