Cocoa-Spiced Rum Old Fashioned
A rich and aromatic twist on the classic Old Fashioned, marrying dark rum with cocoa bitters and warm spice notes. This cocktails & drinks ready in about 6 minutes brings together dark rum, dashes cocoa bitters, large ice cube for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz dark rum
- 3 dashes cocoa bitters
- 1/4 oz demerara syrup (1:1 demerara sugar to water)
- 1 large ice cube
- 1 strip orange peel
- 1 pod star anise
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz dark rum, 3 dashes cocoa bitters, and 1/4 oz demerara syrup.
- Step 2: Add a large ice cube and stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled.
- Step 3: Strain into a rocks glass over a fresh large ice cube.
- Step 4: Express the orange peel over the drink to release oils, then rim the glass and rest the peel on the surface.
- Step 5: Garnish by floating one star anise pod on top for an aromatic accent.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cocoa-Spiced Rum Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Cocoa-Spiced Rum Old Fashioned?
Refrigerate any leftover cocoa-spiced rum old fashioned in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cocoa-Spiced Rum Old Fashioned?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cocoa-Spiced Rum Old Fashioned for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cocoa-Spiced Rum Old Fashioned?
Cocktails & Drinks cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
