Velvet Espresso Old Fashioned
A rich twist on the classic Old Fashioned combining smooth bourbon with fresh espresso and a hint of vanilla bitters. This recipe, ready in about 6 minutes, brings together bourbon, fresh espresso, vanilla simple syrup 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 "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 bourbon
- 1 oz fresh espresso
- 1/4 oz vanilla simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a mixing glass with large ice cubes and pour in 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz freshly brewed espresso, 1/4 oz vanilla simple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Step 2: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 3: Strain into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
- Step 4: Express the oils of 1 wide orange peel over the glass’s surface by holding it skin-side down and twisting firmly.
- Step 5: Rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass as garnish.
- Step 6: Serve without a straw for sipping.
