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.

Clear glass with a textured pattern, containing an old fashioned cocktail made with a large ice cube and an orange peel garnish. A peach and a wooden board with peach slices are beside the glass.

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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 SangriaPeach MulePeach Whiskey Smash

Why you’ll love this recipe

  1. The old-fashioned recipe is easy, so even beginning bartenders can nail it. Small changes can transform the recipe for any occasion.
  2. It’s the perfect way to cool off. Peach is a sweet, refreshing flavor that is great for beating the heat.
  3. Making drinks at home means you control the ingredients. Customize the drink to fit your tastes so you’re satisfied with the end result.
Two glasses of iced tea with large ice cubes and peach slices, accompanied by a whole peach, mint leaves, and wooden board with peach slices on a white background.

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.

Two glasses of an amber-colored beverage with ice cubes, garnished with peach slices and mint leaves, placed on a white surface with a whole peach and peach slices nearby.

Ingredients

👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!

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

Two glasses of whiskey with ice and peach slices on a white surface, accompanied by fresh mint leaves and sliced peaches on a wooden board.

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.

Two glasses of iced peach tea with a peach slice on a white surface, next to a whole peach, mint leaves, and a wooden board.

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!)

decorative icon of a rocks glass.

Don’t miss Whiskey 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.

Two glasses filled with amber-colored liquid, each containing a large ice cube and a peach slice. A whole peach and green leaves are in the background.

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.

decorative icon of a rocks glass.

Don’t miss Bitters 101 where you can learn more about how to season your cocktails properly.

A pan containing a yellow liquid is on a white marble surface, accompanied by a wooden spoon and a cutting board with peach slices and leaves.

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.

A hand pours liquid from a jigger into an empty faceted glass. Nearby are peach slices, a whole peach, and mint leaves on a white surface.
A hand pours liquid from a small brass cup into a textured glass on a white surface, surrounded by a peach, mint leaves, and peach slices.

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 *.)

A hand uses a spoon to stir a drink in a textured glass filled with a brown liquid. Peach slices and mint leaves are nearby on a white surface.
A hand uses gold tongs to place a large ice cube into a patterned glass partly filled with amber liquid. A nectarine and green leaves are visible in the background.

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

A bottle pouring liquid into a glass with an ice cube, placed on a marble surface with peach slices and leaves nearby.
A hand using gold tongs to place a large ice cube in a textured glass of amber liquid with a peach, mint leaves, and peach slices on a wooden board nearby.

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

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Tips & tricks

  • Skip the cocktail shaker! Make sure to stir gently instead to chill your drink to limit dilution.
  • Play with the ratios to fit your personal preferences. Add more or less of an ingredient to make the drink your own.
  • Muddle peaches in the drink if desired, but your drink will not be as smooth.

Two glasses of amber-colored liquid sit on a white surface, accompanied by sliced peaches and mint leaves.

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

What kind of whiskey should I use in a Peach Old-Fashioned?

Bourbon whiskey is the most common choice for old-fashioneds and works well in this recipe. If you prefer to swap in a different type of whiskey or spirit, go for it!

Can I make a big batch?

This Peach Old-Fashioned brings summer flavor to a classic recipe, and it’s a great one to share. Fresh peach syrup shines alongside bourbon for a winning combination, and it makes it easy to batch the recipe for a party. Use the +/- buttons at the top of the recipe card below to scale the recipe as you need to.

More summer old-fashioned recipes

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Clear glass with a textured pattern, containing an old fashioned cocktail made with a large ice cube and an orange peel garnish. A peach and a wooden board with peach slices are beside the glass.

Peach Old-Fashioned

Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
The Peach Old-Fashioned is a summery twist on a classic recipe. It's an easy recipe that delivers on flavor.
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ingredients

Peach Simple Syrup

  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 medium fresh peach diced, or 1 cup frozen peach slices
  • ½ cup sugar

Peach Old-Fashioned

  • ¼ to ½ ounce peach syrup
  • 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
  • 2 dashes peach bitters
  • 2 dashes lemon bitters
  • 1 large ice cube
  • 1 slice fresh peach for garnish

instructions

Peach Simple Syrup

  • In a medium saucepan, combine water and peaches and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Strain out peaches with a fine-mesh strainer.
  • Stir in sugar until dissolved. Let cool completely before using or storing. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Makes approximately ¾ cup.

Peach Old-Fashioned

  • In a mixing glass filled with ice, or directly in a rocks glass *, combine peach syrup and bourbon.
  • Use a bar spoon to gently stir the mixture until chilled.
  • Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube.
  • Top with peach bitters and lemon bitters. Garnish with a peach slice.

notes

Best whiskey: Bourbon is classic for an old-fashioned, but other types of whiskey work well too. Use rye whiskey for a spicier drink. 
Mocktail: Substitute zero-proof whiskey or unsweetened iced tea for a non-alcoholic variation.
Batch old-fashioneds: The peach syrup makes this recipe easy to batch. Use the +/- buttons at the top of this recipe card to scale the recipe as you need to. 

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nutrition information

Yield: 1 drink

amount per serving:

Serving: 2.5oz Calories: 682kcal Carbohydrates: 137g Protein: 3g Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 0.1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g Sodium: 55mg Potassium: 378mg Fiber: 5g Sugar: 131g Vitamin A: 991IU Vitamin C: 12mg Calcium: 20mg Iron: 1mg
did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #feastandwestrecipes!

About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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Comments

  1. Kathryn Doherty says

    Awesome! I love an Old fashioned – one of my favorite drinks – and I also love mixing bourbon with Arnold Palmer so this sounds like a great mash-up! Cheers!

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