How To Make A Strawberry Old Fashioned

The Strawberry Old Fashioned is a fun spring take on a classic that I usually think of as more of a fall drink. This drink keeps the bold bourbon character of a traditional Old Fashioned and then softens it with the bright, fruity notes of fresh strawberries.

And if you’ve got some strawberries you need to use up, this cocktail is a fantastic way to do that. Making your own strawberry simple syrup is easier than you’d think, and it tastes like spring in a glass. So much better than store bought!

Why the Strawberry Old Fashioned Works So Well

If you love the Old Fashioned, but it sounds a little heavy for spring or summer, this drink is the solution. This strawberry syrup adds fruit flavor without overwhelming the whiskey.

It’s lighter and fresher-tasting than regular sugar syrup, and brings a little tartness to constrast with the spice from the bitters.

What makes this drink particularly appealing is how it bridges seasons. It’s fruity enough to feel summery and refreshing, but the whiskey base keeps it grounded and sophisticated. You could serve this at a spring brunch, a summer evening gathering, or even a casual weeknight when you want something different.

Making Strawberry Simple Syrup at Home

Before you can make the cocktail, you’ll need to make the strawberry simple syrup. The good news is that simple syrup is one of the easiest things you can make in your kitchen.

It needs only three ingredients and about fifteen minutes of your time, most of which is waiting for things to cool down. You’ll find the recipe in the Notes section of the drink recipe below.

Equipment & Glassware

Pro Tips

Use ripe strawberries for the syrup. They should smell sweet and fruity. If the berries are pale or flavorless, the syrup will be too.

Don’t boil the strawberry syrup hard. A gentle simmer is enough to pull flavor and color from the berries. Hard boiling can make the syrup taste jammy instead of fresh.

Taste the syrup before using it in the drink. Some strawberries are sweeter than others. If your syrup tastes very sweet, start with a little less than the recipe calls for. If it’s tart, the full amount will work nicely.

Use fresh ice for the serving glass, preferably large cubes. The ice used for stirring has already started melting, so it’s better to strain the drink over new ice.

A little garnish goes a long way. A fresh strawberry on the rim looks pretty, but you can also use a thin orange peel if you want more citrus aroma. For a stronger strawberry note, slice the berry slightly and let it rest on the glass rim.

If you like a sweeter Old Fashioned, increase the strawberry syrup to 1/2 ounce. If you like a drier, stronger drink, keep it at 1/4 ounce. That small pour gives flavor without covering up the bourbon.

When to Serve

This cocktail is a great fit for spring and summer because the strawberry flavor makes it feel bright and seasonal. It works well for Mother’s Day, Easter brunch, backyard dinners, cookouts, and warm evenings on the porch.

For parties, make the strawberry syrup a day or two ahead. That keeps the drink quick to mix when guests arrive. You can even set up a small Old Fashioned station with bourbon, bitters, syrup, ice, and garnishes so people can stir their own.

Serve it with grilled chicken, pork chops, burgers, charcuterie boards, or salty snacks. The fruitiness plays nicely with smoky, savory foods, while the whiskey still has enough backbone to hold its own.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

A good bourbon is the best choice for this drink. You don’t need a rare bottle, but you do want something with enough flavor to stand up to the strawberry syrup and bitters.

Bulleit Bourbon is a solid pick (and what we used here) if you like a little spice. It has a rye-forward character that works well with cinnamon bitters. Buffalo Trace is smooth and balanced, with caramel and vanilla notes that pair nicely with strawberries. Maker’s Mark is softer and sweeter, so it’s a good choice if you want a rounder cocktail.

You can also use rye whiskey if you want a drier, spicier version. Rittenhouse Rye and Old Overholt Bottled in Bond are both good choices that won’t get lost in the drink.

Skip very smoky whiskeys for this recipe unless you already know you like that style with fruit. The strawberry syrup is fresh and bright, so heavily peated Scotch or very smoky whiskey may clash.

Similar Cocktails

If you like this Strawberry Old Fashioned, there are several other drinks with a similar feel.