Stout Old Fashioned: A Bold Fusion of Beer and Bourbon

The Stout Old Fashioned is a rich, roasty twist on a beloved classic—one that brings together the depth of bourbon and the creamy, chocolate-laced body of a dark stout. A play on the traditional Old Fashioned, this version adds subtle layers of coffee, cocoa, and roasted malt without losing the spirit-forward integrity of the original.

It’s the kind of drink that calls for slow sipping—perfect for cold evenings, fireside lounges, or pairing with rich desserts. This isn’t a beer cocktail or a boilerplate twist. It’s a genuine reinterpretation, built for bourbon lovers who want something with more texture, complexity, and a little bit of edge.

I came across my first Stout Old Fashioned on a snowy night at a speakeasy in Minneapolis. The bartender had infused his simple syrup with stout reduction and finished the drink with a float of beer foam. One sip, and I was floored by how well bittersweet stout melds with vanilla-heavy bourbon, especially when punctuated by orange oil and spice. It’s become a go-to cocktail for me when I want something contemplative—but not overly complicated.

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Quick Facts: Stout Old Fashioned

Method: stirred
Flavor profile: rich, bittersweet, malty
How to serve it: over a large cube
Glassware: rocks glass
Alcohol content: ~22–26% ABV, ~20–24 grams of alcohol per serving

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Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• ½ oz stout syrup (see below)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 dash chocolate bitters (optional but recommended)
• Garnish: orange peel and/or Luxardo cherry
• Large clear ice cube or sphere

For the Stout Syrup:

• 1 cup stout beer (imperial or milk stout preferred)
• ½ cup demerara sugar

Simmer the beer over medium heat until reduced by about half (around ½ cup remains). Add sugar, stir until dissolved, and let cool. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The syrup should be rich, slightly bitter, and molasses-like in depth.

Choose a stout with character.
An imperial stout offers intensity and warmth; a milk stout gives a creamy, smooth edge. Avoid overly hoppy stouts—bitterness from hops can clash with the bitters and whiskey.

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Equipment Needed

• Mixing glass
• Bar spoon
• Jigger
• Hawthorne strainer
• Rocks glass
• Citrus peeler
• Small saucepan (for syrup)
• Funnel and bottle (for storing syrup)

No shaking here—this cocktail is all about smoothness and precision in dilution. Use large ice and slow stirring to chill the drink without over-diluting, and allow the syrup to shine through the bourbon without overpowering it.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the stout syrup.
In a saucepan, reduce 1 cup of stout to ½ cup. Add ½ cup demerara sugar, stir until dissolved, and cool completely. Store in a bottle or jar.

2. Chill your glass.
Add your rocks glass to the freezer or fill it with ice and water to chill while preparing the drink.

3. Build the cocktail.
In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine:

• 2 oz bourbon
• ½ oz stout syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 dash chocolate bitters (optional but ideal)

4. Stir until chilled.
Stir for 25–30 seconds. You’re looking for a velvet-like dilution and cold temperature.

5. Strain and serve.
Strain over a large clear ice cube in a chilled rocks glass.

6. Garnish with style.
Express an orange peel over the top and drop it in. Add a Luxardo cherry for depth—or a small float of stout foam if you’re feeling bold.

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Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The Stout Old Fashioned keeps the integrity of the original cocktail—spirit-forward, strong, and slightly sweet—but introduces a dark, bitter-chocolate richness that makes it feel luxurious and grounding.

Tasting notes include:

• Bourbon’s vanilla, oak, and caramel warmth
• Roasty malt and chocolate from the stout syrup
• Bitters adding spice and balance
• A silky, slightly creamy finish

The texture is smooth and almost dessert-like, especially if using a milk stout. The chocolate bitters bring an elegant cocoa top note, while the orange oil keeps it lively and aromatic.

Pairs well with:

• Dark chocolate or flourless chocolate cake
• Espresso brownies
• Charred meats or a grilled ribeye
• Smoked almonds or candied bacon

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Garnishing and Presentation

This drink leans toward classic with a modern twist—so presentation should reflect that balance.

Garnish options:

• Orange peel, twisted and expressed
• Luxardo cherry or whiskey-soaked cherry
• Mini beer foam float—spoon a small amount of vigorously shaken stout over the top
• Chocolate shavings on the orange peel for a dessert-ready look

Use a weighty, clear rocks glass and large ice cube to emphasize visual clarity and keep dilution slow. If serving for a special occasion like Father’s Day or holiday dinners, add a bar spoon of stout syrup drizzle over the cube for visual intrigue.

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Pairing Suggestions

This is a cocktail that pairs beautifully with rich flavors, especially those with roast, smoke, or sweetness.

Savory pairings:

• Grilled steak with coffee rub
• BBQ brisket or smoked short ribs
• Sharp cheeses like aged cheddar or gouda
• Seared mushrooms or black garlic dishes

Sweet pairings:

• Dark chocolate ganache
• Pecan pie or salted caramel tart
• Coffee ice cream
• Bourbon-glazed bread pudding

It’s also a perfect digestif cocktail, ideal after a meal or in place of dessert.

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Cocktail History and Trivia

The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest known cocktails, dating back to the early 1800s when drinks were composed simply of spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. Over the centuries, countless riffs have emerged, and the beer-infusion trend has added a new layer of creativity.

Stout in cocktails began showing up more frequently in the 2000s as bartenders started experimenting with stout reductions, beer syrups, and even foam to bring body and bitterness into classic formats.

The Stout Old Fashioned is a modern craft interpretation, offering bartenders and home mixologists a way to bridge two beloved worlds: whiskey and beer, cocktail and nightcap, bitter and sweet.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve the Stout Old Fashioned:

• After dinner as a dessert or digestif
• During fall or winter gatherings by the fire
• At whiskey tastings or cocktail parties
• At breweries or brewpubs with a curated food menu

To make for a group, batch the bourbon, bitters, and stout syrup in advance and store chilled. Stir individual portions with ice and garnish to order.

This cocktail should always be served cold, over a large cube, with clean, minimal garnish that complements the drink’s mood: dark, smooth, and refined.

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Alcohol Content and Alternatives

With 2 oz bourbon and a syrup made from stout, the ABV ranges from 22–26%, depending on the proof of your bourbon and amount of dilution.

To lower the strength:

• Use 1½ oz bourbon and ¾ oz syrup
• Serve over a smaller ice cube or add a splash of chilled stout to top it off
• Use a lower-proof whiskey or a whiskey liqueur

Mocktail version:

• 1 oz cold brew concentrate
• ¾ oz stout syrup
• 2 dashes chocolate or orange bitters (non-alcoholic versions available)
• Stir with ice and serve over a large cube with orange peel

Variations to try:

• Use smoked bourbon for added depth
• Add a dash of coffee bitters
• Use Barrel-aged stout syrup for a boozier aroma
• Try with rum for a Stout Rum Old Fashioned twist

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I just add stout to my Old Fashioned?
You can, but adding full stout makes the drink watery and less structured. A stout syrup adds body and flavor without compromising the cocktail’s integrity.

What’s the best bourbon to use?
Go for a higher-proof bourbon (90–100 proof) with strong vanilla and caramel notes. Buffalo Trace, Elijah Craig, or Woodford Reserve are solid choices.

Can I use rye whiskey?
Yes! Rye adds a spicy backbone that complements the stout syrup nicely.

Is the chocolate bitters necessary?
Not strictly—but it does bring everything together. If you have it, use it. It adds elegance and depth.

Can I use canned stout?
Absolutely. Just make sure it’s a quality stout—imperial stouts, milk stouts, and chocolate stouts are all great.

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Conclusion

The Stout Old Fashioned is a velvety, roasty reimagining of a cocktail icon—rich without being heavy, layered without being complicated. It’s a drink made for quiet evenings, confident palates, and people who appreciate the darker things in life. Whether you’re winding down or elevating a dinner party, this cocktail holds its own with grace and grit.