Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Heather Wibbels
We’re taking fall to the next level with this rum old fashioned. I know it’s heresy to use anything other than whiskey in an old fashioned cocktail, but the original, early written descriptions of an old fashioned didn’t necessarily mention whiskey specifically. Just “spirit.”
And they weren’t talking about ghosts.
But using aged rum for a fall old fashioned sweetens the cocktail, especially with this syrup created specifically for fall cocktails. So, mix up this lovely rum drink recipe that makes you want to put on a warm sweater and sit by the fire.
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I’ve written a full article on my perfect old fashioned; it’s a great compilation of the history and elements of the cocktail. In essence it was first used as a method to take your medicine! Early cocktails included bitters with whiskey – since both were perceived to be medicinal (more on bitters here). The three basic elements of the old fashioned became codified in the early 1900s as whiskey, sugar and bitters.
About the Rum Old Fashioned
Go forward a hundred or more years and the base spirit in an old fashioned is often replaced by something other than whiskey. Think of the Oaxacan old fashioned, or a great brandy old fashioned. Both of those change out the base spirit, but still use the addition of a sweetening agent and a bitter.
We don’t hear much about an old fashioned with rum, and that’s disappointing. Because it’s delicious!
Why This Aged Rum Cocktail Works
Rum, like whiskey, is an aged spirit. Often, it ages in used whiskey or bourbon casks, sitting for years in the Caribbean climate to soak in and out of the barrel staves over time.
As it ages, it draws notes from the wood and the spirit previously in the barrel, usually whiskey.
Like whiskey, aged rum can be complex. Often more than just caramel and vanilla aromas, dark rums can have complex floral, herbaceous and nut notes, just like whiskey. It also gives off spice notes, earthy notes and complex bitter flavors at times. Because of this complexity, rum’s a good match for the old fashioned.
Just as I prefer aged tequilas over silver tequilas, I prefer aged rums to make this mixed drink. It’s more difficult to find a higher proof aged rum to mix with.
Most producers bottle rum at 40% alcohol or 80 proof and lower than I’m using to mixing with. I understand the need to punch up tiki drinks with a bit of over-proof rum to keep it from disappearing into the drink.
However, in this case, with the Ron Viejo de Caldas (gifted as a PR sample) 8 year, the flavors are still pronounced enough to hold up at 80 proof.
I suggest diluting less than you might with a higher proof whiskey, but serve it over a single large cube with my fall simple syrup. You might be converted to a rum drinker.
Fall Cocktail Simple Syrup
I created this fall simple syrup to evoke some of the flavors and smells I associate with the season. The syrup’s notes of honey, brown sugar, baking spices and ginger fits well with both whiskey and aged rum cocktails because their flavor profiles can be so similar.
The ginger slowly heats up a bit after the syrup sits a day or two, so don’t be disappointed if it’s not as punchy as you’d like when you taste it right after making it.
Bitters for a Rum Old Fashioned
While many standard recipes for a rum old fashioned call for orange bitters, with the fall simple syrup I wanted this rum-based old fashioned to be a bit earthier and spicier than your average rum cocktail. To do that I added two spiced bitters and a dash of allspice dram.
The allspice dram works just as it does in any tiki drink. The heat and aggressive clove spice of the spirit cuts into the sweetness of the rum and simple, redefining it.
In addition, I added Old Forester’s Smoked Cinnamon bitters which are more cinnamon than smoke, but a great way to link the ginger and the rum together.
The second bitters, the Woodford Sassafras and Sorghum bitters are some of my favorite ways to add earthy, dark elements to a cocktail. They’re bitter, but in a way that makes me think of wandering through a forest trail as the leaves have fallen.
Other Old Fashioned Cocktails to Try
- Oleo Fashioned (made with oleo saccharum, an easy orange simple syrup)
- Who’s Your Daddy – A tiki coffee old fashioned
- Maple Old Fashioned
- Peanut Butter Old Fashioned
- Breakfast Old Fashioned
- Lavender Lemon Old Fashioned
- Blackberry Old Fashioned
- Perfect Old Fashioned
When fall rolls around (or even in the middle of summer!) and you want an easy cocktail with warm flavors, you can hardly go wrong with a rum old fashioned. It may not be the traditional drink you are used to, but it’s definitely one that can win your heart.
Recommended Bar Tools for this Aged Rum Drink
You don’t need every slick, beautiful bar tool out there, but there are several I’ll recommend. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, that does not affect the cost of the items below.) My favorite pieces usually come from the Cocktail Kingdom section of Amazon:
- Shaker Tin Set
- Jigger
- Hawthorne Strainer
- Bar Spoon
- Muddler
- Nice to have: mixing glass
You may already have these bar essentials, but just in case:
Rum Old Fashioned – The Perfect Fall Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz aged rum (I used Ron Viejo de Caldas 8 year old rum.)
- ½ oz Fall simple syrup**
- ¼ oz allspice dram
- 10 drops of Woodford’s Sorghum and Sassafras bitters
- 16 drops of Old Forester’s Smoked Cinnamon bitters
- Garnish: cinnamon stick orange peel
Instructions
- Combine rum, fall simple syrup, allspice dram and bitters in a mixing glass and fill with ice.
- Stir until chilled, but don’t over dilute.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice or one large cube.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange peel.
Notes
- 8 oz sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 8 oz water
- ¼ cup chopped, peeled ginger
This post, originally published September 2020, was last updated in March 2023.
