Peach Old-Fashioned

The Peach Old-Fashioned is a fruity twist on the classic recipe that’s perfect for summertime sipping. Try it for happy hour, cookouts or any summer gathering. Whiskey lovers will love this juicy variation on the classic old-fashioned.

About this Peach Old-Fashioned recipe

When summer rolls around, I’ve got one thing on my mind: peaches! These sweet fruits just taste like sunshine and fun — I can hardly get enough.

Peaches are versatile, too. Breakfast? Add them as a topping for your oatmeal. Hosting? Make a batch of peach salsa to share. Snack? Baked peaches are light, yet satisfying. I love them enough I can pretty much find a way to enjoy them at any hour of the day.

Seeing as they are one of my favorite flavors, I had to use them to give another favorite a summery makeover. The classic old-fashioned is such an easy recipe to customize; homemade peach syrup and peach bitters ^* offer a boost of that sweet flavor that is the perfect compliment to balance out the whiskey.

More peach cocktail recipes: Peach Sangria • Peach Mule • Peach Whiskey Smash

Tools & glassware

If you’re a cocktail aficionado, you may have strong feelings about the type of glass your old-fashioned is served in. True old-fashioned glasses are sized for about 6 ounces and work well for neat pours. Rocks glasses ^*, also called double old-fashioned glasses ^*, and are sized for 8 to 10 ounces, designed to hold two old-fashioned cocktails or sipping whiskey straight on the rocks. You can use either — I typically opt for a rocks glass ^* as they can hold the signature large ice cube.

Once you have your glassware chosen, you’ll need a few more tools. To make your peach syrup, you’ll need:

• cutting board and a sharp knife for cutting the peaches
• saucepan and wooden spoon or spatula ^* for making the syrup
• fine-mesh strainer ^* to remove any solids
• clean mason jar or bottle to store your finished syrup in the fridge

For the cocktail, grab a mixing glass ^* and bar spoon ^*. I also like to use a large, clear ice cube so that my drink doesn’t get diluted as quickly.

favorite rocks glasses

striped old-fashioned glasses

Buy Now →

hobnail rocks glasses

Buy Now →

minimalist rocks glasses

Buy Now →

^*

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for this tasty sipper. Here’s what to grab at the grocery store:

• fresh or frozen peaches, for the syrup and garnish
• bourbon whiskey
• peach bitters ^*
• lemon bitters ^*
• large ice cube

next-level ice tools

ice designer

Buy Now →

clear ice maker

Buy Now →

ice tongs

Buy Now →

^*

Garnishes

For this Peach Old-Fashioned, peaches are the star. Using peach slices as a garnish provides a sweet peach aroma and an extra boost of peach flavor that is hard to beat!

You could also use a lemon twist to add an air of elegance, or even a dehydrated lemon slice. These would work well for something like an engagement party or an anniversary celebration.

The classic old-fashioned uses a cocktail cherry ^* as a garnish, which would also work for this peach version. Plus, homemade cocktail cherries are easy and cost effective.

Best whiskey for old-fashioneds

Old-fashioneds can be made with any whiskey, but bourbon is the classic. My go-to bourbon is Old Forester, but you can use just about any brand. If you have a favorite, start with that. If you don’t, I also suggest Four Roses, Bulleit, Tin Cup or Woodford Reserve.

This recipe will also work with rye, Irish, whiskey, scotch and even other spirits like mezcal or rum. (Try this rum old-fashioned if you don’t believe me — game-changer!)

Substitutions & variations

Switch your whiskey: Rye whiskey will give you a spicier flavor that’s nicely balanced by the sweetness of the peach.

Make it a mocktail: Follow the instructions to mix up an old-fashioned mocktail using peach simple syrup. You’ll need a zero-proof whiskey or some iced tea.

Choose your own bitters: I found that peach bitters amped up the peach flavor, but you could use anything that sounds good! Lemon bitters ^* gave a little citrus bite and helped balance everything out. Angostura, orange or ginger would all be tasty in this recipe, too.

Instructions

Now, this is not the old-fashioned method they teach in bartending school, but I promise that it results in a much better drink!

First, you’ll want to make your peach simple syrup. Slice your peaches and place them into a saucepan with water. Bring your mixture to a simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from heat.

Strain out the peach solids using a fine-mesh strainer ^*. Stir in the sugar until it is completely dissolved and let your syrup cool completely.

Next, grab your glass and fill with ice. Measure out your peach syrup and bourbon, pouring each into the glass. (Alternatively, you can do this in a mixing glass ^*.)

Gently stir your drink using a bar spoon ^* until it is chilled. Add a large ice cube.

Finally, top with a few dashes of peach and lemon bitters and a peach slice for a fragrant (and tasty) garnish.

Food pairings

This sweet summer sipper is perfect for fresh fare and savory dishes. Try it with an heirloom tomato and burrata salad or Caprese skewers. A charcuterie board would be a good shareable option for a group gathering.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, keep the peach theme going with a peach coffee cake or cooling peach popsicles.

FAQ

More summer old-fashioned recipes

• Honey Old-Fashioned
• S’mores Old-Fashioned
• Old-Fashioned Mocktail
• Rum Old-Fashioned
• Fig Old-Fashioned