This Cinnamon Rosemary Old Fashioned is a warming cocktail made with a honey-based simple syrup that is perfect anytime.
When the directions say turn right at the cemetery, pass the one-room schoolhouse, and then turn north on the gravel road, you know you have succeeded in "getting away" for the weekend.
No street signs. No other cars in sight. Just rolling hills with golden prairie grasses as far as the eye can see.
As a way to celebrate my mom's completion of chemotherapy, and as a respite before radiation begins, we set our sights westward to the Flint Hills of Kansas. There we stayed in a house surrounded by the peace, calm, and beauty of the prairie.
No beach, no mountains, but a gem in the middle of the heartland.
A Celebratory cocktail
A Celebratory cocktailBetween morning coffee on the porch, meals crafted together in the kitchen, games, laughter, and tears, I made this cinnamon rosemary old fashioned with some of the rosemary and cinnamon packed in our haul for the weekend.
A warming sipper, it was perfect for the mild days and the cool nights we were experiencing.
Now home, with fall temps finally settling in around Kansas City, this cinnamon rosemary cocktail has been on repeat and will surely continue in our cocktail rotation through the winter.
Cinnamon rosemary old fashioned ingredients
Cocktail time? This drink is perfect for a night in or a night of entertaining! Cinnamon and rosemary create a dreamy infused simple syrup. Here are the ingredients you will need:
- Honey
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fresh rosemary
- Angostura bitters
- Bourbon
- Orange peel
In need of a seasonal mocktail? Check out Chandice's Christmas mocktails!
More cocktail recipes
Blackberry Ginger Collins Cocktail
Make a Salted Plains recipe? I’d love to see! Tag your creations on Instagram with #saltedplains!
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Rosemary Old Fashioned Recipe
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rosemary Simple Syrup
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup water
- 6 sprigs rosemary
- 3 cinnamon sticks
For the Cocktail
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon rosemary simple syrup
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 orange peel
- rosemary sprig for garnish optional
Instructions
- Start with making the simple syrup. In a small saucepan, combine honey, water, rosemary sprigs, and cinnamon sticks over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until honey has dissolved into water. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Once cool, remove rosemary and cinnamon sticks and transfer to an airtight container.½ cup honey, ½ cup water, 3 cinnamon sticks, 6 sprigs rosemary
- When ready to make cocktail, add 4 teaspoons of the cinnamon rosemary simple syrup and 3 dashes of bitters to an Old Fashioned glass. Swirl syrup and bitters around in glass. Add bourbon, ice, orange peel, and stir. Store extra simple syrup in airtight container in refrigerator. Enjoy!4 teaspoons cinnamon rosemary simple syrup, 3 dashes angostura bitters, 2 ounces bourbon, 1 orange peel, rosemary sprig for garnish
Notes
Nutrition
Glenn
We've come to appreciate craft cocktails and this one definitely hits the mark. It's a great holiday twist on an original cocktail.
Tessa
Thanks so much, Glenn!
Ronnie Santos
I'm here in 2020 looking for a Thanksgiving cocktail and lo and behold, I came upon this recipe. Thank you! It's absolutely delicious. Cheers!
I hope you and your family are healthy and safe.
Tessa
Thank you so much! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Kathleen
My most favorite cocktail . . . ever.
Tessa
Yay! Thank you. One of my favorites too.
Abby
My goodness. I stumbled on this recipe and your site, and how lovely both are! My husband and I are overseas, missing family, and making this beverage just now on Christmas Eve was the tastiest, warmest way to ring in the holiday. Thank you! Also my friend and I hosting a joint NYE party just decided we’ll triple the batch and put this out as our signature cocktail! Bless you and your family and Merry Christmas!
Tessa
Thank you for such a kind note! I am so glad you and your husband enjoyed it. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year!!
michelle
I made this for Thanksgiving 2019 and it was so simple and such a hit! Thank you!
Michelle
Was looking for a simple holiday cocktail and came across this recipe. It is so good! Better than I was expecting, honestly. Thank you!
Leslie W.
I made these for "The Feast of Wellington" where an uncle makes Beef Wellington and puts on a fantastic show in honor of the December birthday. They were such a hit - one cousin said it was the best Old Fashioned he'd ever had!
Tessa
Hi Leslie! That's fantastic! I love it. And am so glad it was a birthday hit!
Kelsey
I made this to enjoy on an upcoming episode of The Girl Next Door Podcast (we have a different cocktail each episode). Loved it so much! The episode will air Dec. 21 :)
Tessa
That is awesome! I'm so glad you liked it. I will be tuning in! ;)
Kaitie
Love this so much! ? Can't wait to try the recipe. Can you share details about the rental? Mainly how we could book it also? It looks perfect.
Tessa
Aw, yay! Thanks, Kaitie. The house was a perfect little getaway from it all. If you want to email me, I'd be happy to send you the info! tessa@saltedplains.com
Camille
Love those glasses! Where are they from???
Tessa
Thanks, Camille! I got them at World Market. :)
Eden passante
This sounds like the perfect fall cocktail and would be perfect for Thanksgiving! Beautiful!
traci | VanillaAndBean
A much needed respite away from it all and together.... what a most cherished time for y'all. I can feel the love as I scroll through your photographs and story. It brought tears to my eyes, Tessa. What a gift to have this time together, to celebrate life and love. In a beautiful place, and setting. I can see the prairie grasses swaying in the breeze, and hear the meadowlarks calling. This sipper is a fabulous addition. Hugs and love to you and your family as you journey this together. xo
Rony Jahid
Beautiful serving system & rosemary syrup, its very simple! On the other hand, so pretty your Mom & her smile!! best wishes for her, have a great time.
Tessa
Thanks so much for the kind words, Rony!
Joyce @ Sun Diego Eats
This post and especially that lovely last picture made me smile after a couple days of feeling like I have nothing to smile about, haha. And I've always lived somewhere coastal so that kind of landscape is such a different serene and soft kind of beautiful <3
Most importantly such a happy accomplishment for you and your mom!!!! Def worth celebrating with a cocktail or five :)
Tessa
Haha, I know exactly what you mean. I'm so glad it made you smile. :) Yes! So much beauty there too. It was a good reminder to me to not overlook it.
Thank you so much, Joyce! Cocktails were certainly had! <3 <3 <3
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
your two freckles past a hair intro brought the biggest smile - I grew up in the country and know all about that kind of precise navigation :). What a blessing to have been able to spend time with you dear Mom in such a serene and beautiful setting; you will cherish the memories you shared there forever. You have a great talent for capturing natural light in your photos - delicate and true. It showcases your drink perfectly.
I wish your Mom every blessing as she moves forward in her journey and love to you by her side Tessa x
Tessa
Hehe, that is awesome. We had so much fun just following the directions. :) It was wonderful time spent and I didn't want to leave. Stepping away from food and shooting 'normal' photos was refreshing too.
Thank you for your love and kindness, Kelly. It means SO much! xoxo
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
I'm so happy for your momma, she looks like a fighter! Getting away and sipping on an old fashioned or two sounds like a perfect way to celebrate this victory with her. I think your next road trip needs to be to Milwaukee, we know how to do old fashioneds up here :) Give your momma a hug for me! xo
Tessa
Aww, thanks, Abby. She is for sure. I am totally up for a road trip to Milwaukee, especially if old fashioneds are involved. You don't have to ask me twice. ;) xoxo
Tori//Gringalicious
What a great way to serve up some festive flavors this season. I love cinnamon and rosemary!
Tessa
It smells so good! :) Have a great week, Tori!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
So happy you enjoyed your weekend getaway with your mom Tessa! I'm sure the last few months have been busy and somewhat stressful for you both, so it sounds like you got to recharge your batteries and have some fun together.
This old fahsioned sounds delicious. I love the cinnamon rosematy simple syrup! Putting this one on my holiday cocktail menu! Hope you have a great weekend. I will keep your mom in my prayers.
Tessa
Thank you, Mary Ann. It was fun to get away and relax without having anything on the agenda.
Making the syrup made me that much more ready for the holidays. It smells like Christmas! ;) Thanks so much for your prayers - it is so appreciated! <3