Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned Cocktail
Tahitian vanilla adds fruity depth to a bourbon Old Fashioned. Homemade vanilla syrup, bitters tips, and garnish ideas included.
Tahitian vanilla is known for its fruity notes of black cherry and tart plum. These flavors work especially well in the standard bourbon old fashioned cocktail.
This recipe will leave you with plenty of extra vanilla bean syrup. You can also use it with club soda, coffee, tea, or even morning oatmeal.
Recipe by Geoff Marshall in Chicago.
Yield: 1 cocktail
- Make a 1:1 vanilla simple syrup using a Tahitian vanilla bean, simmer 20–30 minutes, then chill and store.
- Use 1 teaspoon of vanilla syrup per Old Fashioned and cut back on Angostura so vanilla stays prominent.
- Garnish with warmed, flamed orange peel and Luxardo cherries for a richer finish; syrup works in coffee or soda too.
Preparation Instructions:
TO MAKE VANILLA SIMPLE SYRUP:
Bring one cup of water to a simmer in a small pot, add sugar and stir until dissolved.
Slice vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Use the back of the knife to scoop out the black inner seeds.
Put the vanilla seeds into a small teacup and add a spoonful of hot syrup to the cup. Use a spoon to break up the seeds so there are no more clumps and it forms a paste.
Add the vanilla paste to the syrup. You may wish to use a splash of hot water or syrup to get any remaining vanilla out of the cup and into the pot. This is precious stuff!
Whisk the syrup so the seeds diffuse evenly. Cut the leftover been rind into 1-inch pieces and add it to the syrup.
Let the syrup gently simmer for 20-30 minutes, being careful not to let the sugar burn.
Remove vanilla rind pieces and let syrup cool. Transfer to bottle or glass jar.
TO MAKE COCKTAIL:
In a tumbler glass add vanilla syrup and dash of bitters.
Fill glass with ice, pour in whiskey, and stir gently with a spoon.
Wipe rim of glass with orange peel and drop it in the cocktail.
Garnish with cherries and serve.
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More About This Recipe
It's best to dial back on the bitters in this recipe. The Tahitian vanilla has a subtle and nuanced flavor and adding too much bitters can compete with that. For extra credit, warm the orange peel with a stick/grill lighter to warm the oils. You can then light these oils on fire right over the cocktail. Hold the orange slice two inches over the flame, directed at the drink. With the orange side facing the flame, press it to release the oils and set them on fire. Wipe the spent orange peel on the rim of the drink and set it right in the drink. For double extra credit, use Luxardo cherries instead of maraschino cherries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make the vanilla simple syrup?
Heat 1 cup water to a simmer, stir in 1 cup sugar until dissolved. Split a Tahitian vanilla bean, scrape the seeds with the back of a knife and mix the seeds into a spoonful of hot syrup to make a paste. Stir that into the pot, add the cut bean pod pieces, and simmer gently 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the pods, cool, and bottle.
How long does the vanilla syrup keep?
Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, the syrup will keep well for about three weeks. For longer storage freeze in an ice cube tray and thaw cubes as needed.
Can I use another vanilla bean if I do not have Tahitian?
Yes. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is a common substitute and gives a richer, more familiar vanilla note. Tahitian is fruitier, so if you swap beans taste and adjust bitters to keep balance.
How much vanilla syrup do I use per cocktail?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of vanilla syrup per Old Fashioned. Taste and adjust by small amounts if you prefer sweeter or more vanilla-forward drinks.
Can I scale the syrup recipe for more cocktails?
Yes. Keep the 1:1 water to sugar ratio and scale quantities up. Simmer time stays about the same; add extra vanilla beans if you want a stronger flavor.
How do I safely flame the orange peel for the garnish?
Warm the peel and hold it about two inches above a small flame with the orange side facing the flame. Press the peel toward the flame so a burst of oil crosses the fire and briefly ignites. Do this over the drink, then wipe the spent peel on the rim and drop it in. Keep hair and flammable items away and practice caution.
Which cherries are best for this drink?
Luxardo cherries are recommended for a richer, slightly bitter-sweet finish. Maraschino cherries work and are sweeter and brighter. Use Luxardo for a more refined Old Fashioned.
What else can I use the leftover vanilla syrup for?
It is versatile. Add it to club soda, coffee, tea, cocktails, or drizzle a little on oatmeal or desserts for extra vanilla flavor.
How do I make the vanilla simple syrup?
Heat 1 cup water to a simmer, stir in 1 cup sugar until dissolved. Split a Tahitian vanilla bean, scrape the seeds with the back of a knife and mix the seeds into a spoonful of hot syrup to make a paste. Stir that into the pot, add the cut bean pod pieces, and simmer gently 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the pods, cool, and bottle.
How long does the vanilla syrup keep?
Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, the syrup will keep well for about three weeks. For longer storage freeze in an ice cube tray and thaw cubes as needed.
Can I use another vanilla bean if I do not have Tahitian?
Yes. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is a common substitute and gives a richer, more familiar vanilla note. Tahitian is fruitier, so if you swap beans taste and adjust bitters to keep balance.
How much vanilla syrup do I use per cocktail?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of vanilla syrup per Old Fashioned. Taste and adjust by small amounts if you prefer sweeter or more vanilla-forward drinks.
Can I scale the syrup recipe for more cocktails?
Yes. Keep the 1:1 water to sugar ratio and scale quantities up. Simmer time stays about the same; add extra vanilla beans if you want a stronger flavor.
How do I safely flame the orange peel for the garnish?
Warm the peel and hold it about two inches above a small flame with the orange side facing the flame. Press the peel toward the flame so a burst of oil crosses the fire and briefly ignites. Do this over the drink, then wipe the spent peel on the rim and drop it in. Keep hair and flammable items away and practice caution.
Which cherries are best for this drink?
Luxardo cherries are recommended for a richer, slightly bitter-sweet finish. Maraschino cherries work and are sweeter and brighter. Use Luxardo for a more refined Old Fashioned.
What else can I use the leftover vanilla syrup for?
It is versatile. Add it to club soda, coffee, tea, cocktails, or drizzle a little on oatmeal or desserts for extra vanilla flavor.
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