Honeyed Vanilla Bourbon Old Fashioned

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-26 · Updated 2026-05-26

A smooth bourbon cocktail sweetened with honey and enriched with vanilla, perfect for those who enjoy a classic with a soft twist. This recipe, ready in about 6 minutes, brings together bourbon, honey syrup (1:1 honey and water), and vanilla extract 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 210 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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 bourbon
• 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
• 2 drops vanilla extract
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 large ice cube
• 1 wide strip orange peel

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Place a large clear ice cube into a rocks glass.
2. Step 2: In a mixing glass filled halfway with ice, pour 2 oz bourbon, 1/2 oz honey syrup, 2 drops vanilla extract, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
3. Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
4. Step 4: Strain the mixture over the large ice cube in the rocks glass.
5. Step 5: Express the oils of a wide strip of orange peel over the drink by holding it skin side down and giving it a firm twist, then rub the peel around the rim and rest it on the glass edge as garnish.