Southern Comfort Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe & How to Make It

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This Southern Comfort Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic bourbon Old Fashioned, swapping bourbon for Southern Comfort. It’s a spirit-forward, easy-to-make cocktail with warm fruit and spice notes from the liqueur. If you enjoy bold drinks and the flavor of Southern Comfort, this is a delicious choice.

A Southern Comfort Old Fashioned garnished with a maraschino cherry and orange peel twist.

Southern Comfort is often used in cocktails like the Alabama Slammer, but it also works beautifully in simpler, stronger drinks. This Old Fashioned variation highlights the liqueur’s fruit and spice character while keeping preparation straightforward.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple — Old Fashioneds are elegant because they’re uncomplicated. No shaker required—just a glass, a stir, and good ingredients.
  • Spirit-forward — This version is bold and focused on the spirit. It’s best for people who enjoy strong, flavorful cocktails and like Southern Comfort’s profile.
  • Customizable — You can easily adjust sweetness by adding more simple syrup. Tinker with the balance to suit your taste.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients needed to make the Southern Comfort old fashioned.
  • Southern Comfort: A whiskey-based liqueur flavored with fruits and spices. Its distinctive taste is central to this cocktail; swapping it for bourbon turns the drink back into a classic Old Fashioned.
  • Simple Syrup: Adds sweetness and smoothness. Use store-bought or make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat and cooling.
  • Angostura Bitters: Bitters round out the flavors and are a traditional component of an Old Fashioned. Only a few dashes are needed.
  • Garnish — Orange & Cherry: An orange peel or slice and a maraschino cherry are classic garnishes. They improve presentation and add a subtle aromatic touch.

How To Make A Southern Comfort Old Fashioned

Step 1: Place the simple syrup and Angostura bitters in a lowball glass and stir to combine.

Mixing the simple syrup and bitters together in a cocktail glass.

Step 2: Add a handful of ice, pour in the Southern Comfort, and stir gently until chilled and slightly diluted. Garnish with an orange slice or peel and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.

Adding the ice and Southern Comfort to the cocktail glass.

Expert Tips

  • Use large ice cubes: Larger cubes melt slower and keep the drink colder without diluting it too quickly. Clear, large cubes also look great in the glass.
  • Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add an extra ½ to 1½ ounces of simple syrup to taste.
  • Chill ingredients: Because this drink is stirred rather than shaken, chilling the Southern Comfort and glass beforehand helps keep the cocktail crisp and cold.

Recipe FAQs

How do you make your own simple syrup at home?

Combine equal parts granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat, cool, and store in the refrigerator.

What glass is best for an Old Fashioned?

Old Fashioneds are traditionally served in a lowball or rocks glass (also called an Old Fashioned glass).

A Southern Comfort Old Fashioned on a round white and gold coaster.

📖 Recipe

A Southern Comfort Old Fashioned garnished with a cherry and orange peel twist.

Southern Comfort Old Fashioned


5 Stars

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

A straightforward and bold Old Fashioned made with Southern Comfort. It’s ideal when you want something classic with a fruity, spiced twist.


Ingredients

  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 ½ oz Southern Comfort
  • garnish: orange slice or peel and maraschino cherry (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add the simple syrup and Angostura bitters to a lowball glass and stir to combine.
  2. Add a handful of ice.
  3. Pour the Southern Comfort over the ice and stir gently until chilled. Garnish with an orange slice or peel and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Make it sweeter: Add an extra ½–1½ ounces of simple syrup if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Cocktail Recipes
  • Method: Mixed
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 153
  • Sugar: 14.7g
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 14.7g
  • Protein: 0g

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!