A Mother’s Day meal is never complete without a great cocktail. And with mandarin oranges being a favorite snack these days, I thought they’d be perfect to use in a classic Old Fashioned cocktail. A typical Old Fashioned is made with an orange slice, cherries, bitters and good bourbon. My personal favorite is Coopers’ Craft. You know I’ve been a fan of this Kentucky bourbon for a while and have used it in this delicious summer peach cocktail and even this apple cider favorite. But swapping out the orange with mandarins and a little of the syrup that goes with it, makes this Old Fashioned feel a little more special for a very special day for Mom.
Coopers’ Craft is a bourbon that is a celebration of the people behind the bourbon. A Cooper is someone who makes the wooden barrels that bourbon is aged in. I had the opportunity a few years ago to visit the cooperage where these were made. It was such a cool experience to see it all happen. Plus, the charred barrels that they use in their barrel reserve are done in the same place. And it is SO insanely cool to see how it’s all done.
Mandarin Orange Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
For today’s cocktail, I’m using the Coopers’ Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey which has sweet notes of vanilla, caramel and honey. Plus, floral and fruity notes of apple, lemon and orange. All of this pairs so nicely with the mandarin oranges, the sweet cherries and bitters for a well-rounded, smooth and classic cocktail. This mandarin orange old-fashioned cocktail would be perfect for a late brunch with the family to celebrate mom. Pair with an apple cinnamon french toast and maple sugared bacon. This bourbon pairs so well with maple making it the ideal liquor for brunch if you ask me!
Ingredients
- 2 oz of Coopers’ Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 2-3 mandarin orange segments – fresh or canned
- 2 maraschino cherries – I recommend investing in quality maraschino cherries and not the bright red ones that look like fake fruit.
- 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters
- Ice
Method
Step One
Add your mandarin oranges, cherries and bitters to a rocks glass and muddle with a muddler until well mashed.
Step Two
Add an ice cube to your glass and pour 2 ounces of Coopers’ Craft bourbon to the glass. Stir with a cocktail spoon
Step Three
Garnish with an orange peel. To make these cute spiral ones, I just sliced a piece of orange and the removed the skin. I evened out the edges so it was a true long rectangle. Then, use a pairing knife to remove as much of the pith as possible as it will make it easier to roll. Roll and then slice a slit through the bottom half so it can rest on the rim of your glass.
This post was sponsored by Coopers’ Craft. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
