Large Batch Old Fashioned with Kentucky Bourbon

ByHeather Bilyeu
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This large batch of an old fashioned cocktail is made with smooth Kentucky bourbon and just five simple ingredients. Mixed in a big pitcher to serve up to 16 guests, it can be made ahead of time and chilled in the freezer until you're ready to pour, making Derby party hosting an absolute breeze. Serve it neat or over ice for a classic, crowd-pleasing cocktail while cheering on those thoroughbreds!

A glass of whiskey with ice and an orange peel garnish sits on a light surface, surrounded by cocktail-making tools, dried orange slices, and bottles in bright sunlight—perfect for serving as a large batch Old Fashioned.

Y'all there is nothing better than Derby season here in the Bluegrass! Being born and raised in Kentucky this is my Super Bowl! Gimmie all the hot brown casseroles and chocolate pecan pie bars please!

We are big fans of the large batch of mint juleps here at FSS. If you are hosting a Derby party, those and the large batch Oaks Lily's with vodka make entertaining a breeze. You can make all 3 of these cocktails ahead of time, and it makes serving guests so much easier by being able to pour out to your guests right away!

A glass pitcher filled with dark brown liquid sits on a table, set for a large batch Old Fashioned. Cocktail glasses, orange peels, dried orange slices, liquor, a jigger, and sugar await as sunlight casts soft shadows.

When testing this recipe, I decided to make the simple syrup with sugar in the raw instead of just regular white sugar. I wanted a deeper and more caramelized flavor to complement the cocktail, and this did the trick! I served this big batch at my husband's 40th birthday party, and there was none of it left at the end of the night, so it's safe to assume it was a big hit all around!

A saucepan with dissolved brown sugar for a large batch old fashioned sits on a stovetop. Behind it, a box of Sugar In The Raw turbinado cane sugar and a blue measuring cup rest on the counter.
First step is to make the simple syrup - to a pot add equal parts water and sugar in the raw (½ cup of each).
A saucepan with boiling brown liquid is on a stovetop, being stirred with a wooden spoon-perfect for making a large batch old fashioned treat. Nearby, there's a box of Sugar In The Raw, a blue measuring cup, and white tile backsplash.
Bring it up to a low simmer and let it reduce for 5-10 minutes.
A glass Ball jar containing a small amount of dark liquid, perhaps from a large batch old fashioned, sits on a wooden cutting board with its black lid off and resting nearby. The background features a white tile backsplash and speckled countertop.
Pour into a glass and let cool.

⭐️PRO TIP⭐️ - This can be made ahead of time if needed. I personally have made it both ahead of time and when making the entire recipe - it just depends on your schedule and what works best for you. but results wise, both are totally ok!

A hand pours amber-colored liquid from a whiskey bottle into a clear glass pitcher on a white surface, preparing a large batch Old Fashioned as the liquid swirls at the bottom.
To a large pitcher, add your favorite Kentucky bourbon.
A hand with red-painted nails holds a bottle of Angostura aromatic bitters in front of a glass pitcher containing a brown liquid, ready for mixing a large batch old fashioned.
Then add the bitters - I used the Angostura aromatic bitters specifically.
A hand pours a dark liquid from a small green bowl into a large clear glass pitcher containing more of the same large batch old fashioned, set on a white surface.
Add straight into the pitcher.
A hand with pink nail polish holds a bottle of Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters with a dropper. In the background, a glass pitcher filled with a dark liquid hints at a large batch old fashioned ready to serve.
Next, I added a touch of cherry bitters - specifically the Woodford Reserve spiced cherry bitters.
A hand pours a stream of dark liquid from a green cup into a clear glass pitcher, preparing a large batch old fashioned, all set against a plain white background.
Then added right in.
A hand with red nail polish holds a glass mason jar containing a small amount of dark liquid, possibly coffee or a large batch old fashioned, with more coffee visible in a glass container in the background.
Next is the simple syrup ...
A stream of syrup is being poured from a container into a clear glass pitcher, partially filled with syrup, perfect for crafting a large batch old fashioned on the pristine white surface.
...add that in...
A hand pours a clear liquid from a small glass jar into a glass pitcher containing a dark amber large batch old fashioned, set on a white surface with a light background.
...and finally some water. This helps dilute the cocktail a bit and accounts for the water "added" when shaken with ice individually.
A hand with red nail polish stirs a large batch old fashioned with a wooden spoon in a clear glass pitcher on a white surface.
Give it a good stir. Place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour before serving.
A peeled orange, an unpeeled orange, orange peels, and a metal peeler rest on a wooden cutting board-essentials for prepping a large batch old fashioned-on a granite countertop with a white tiled backsplash in the background.
Use a vegetable peeler to peel off slices of orange rinds for serving and garnish.

If peeping this beforehand, store airtight in the fridge or freezer to keep it ice cold until serving. I mostly make the day before and just kept in the fridge, but if prepping any longer in advance, then the freezer is a great option to store as well.

A hand with red nail polish places a large round ice sphere into a faceted, empty glass-perfect for serving a large batch old fashioned-on a white surface.
To serve guests, place a large ice sphere in a highball glass.
A glass pitcher pouring a large batch old fashioned, its amber hue cascading over ice cubes into a faceted glass tumbler on a white surface.
Pour over the desired amount.
A hand garnishes a glass of amber-colored large batch Old Fashioned with an orange peel. The drink contains large ice cubes and is served in a faceted glass on a white surface.
Twist an orange peel over the top of the glass, then wipe the rim with the peel. Place the peel inside and enjoy!
A glass of amber-colored large batch Old Fashioned, garnished with an orange peel, sits on a sunlit surface, surrounded by a jigger, dried citrus slices, a bowl of bitters, and bottles of ingredients in the background.
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A glass pitcher filled with a dark brown liquid sits on a table surrounded by cocktail-making items, perfect for serving a large batch old fashioned, including a jigger, glasses, orange peels, dried orange slice, sugar bowl, and bottle of liquor.

Large Batch Old Fashioned with Kentucky Bourbon

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Description

This large batch of an old fashioned cocktail is made with smooth Kentucky bourbon and just five simple ingredients. Mixed in a big pitcher to serve up to 16 guests; it can be made ahead of time and chilled in the freezer until you're ready to pour, making Derby party hosting an absolute breeze. Serve it neat or over ice for a classic, crowd-pleasing cocktail while cheering on those thoroughbreds!

Ingredients

Scale

Simple Syrup

  • ½ Cup water
  • ½ Cup sugar in the raw 

Old Fashioned

  • 1 - 750ml bottle of Kentucky Bourbon (personal preference on brand)
  • ½ Ounce Angostura aromatic bitters
  • ¼ Ounce Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters
  • ½ Cup simple syrup
  • ¾ Cup water
  • Orange peels for garnish

Instructions

Simple Syrup*

  1. In a small saucepan, add the water and sugar. Turn the heat to medium and bring to a low boil. Once at a boil, turn to medium-low and let simmer for 5-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens slightly. 
  2. Remove from the heat, add to a glass jar, and let cool slightly. 

Old Fashioned Assembly

  1. To a large pitcher, add all of the ingredients. Stir with a spoon for 30-60 seconds. Seal the pitcher with a lid or place it in an airtight container.
  2. Place in the fridge for at least an hour to chill before serving. If prepping in advance more than 24 hours, place sealed in the freezer until ready to serve.
  3. To serve, add a large ice sphere to a highball glass.  Pour in the desired amount of the cocktail. Twist an orange peel over the top of the glass and wipe the rim with it, then place it inside - enjoy!

Notes

  • You can make the simple syrup ahead of time if needed - just store it sealed in a mason jar for up to a week in the fridge.
  • The cocktail can be made up to a week before serving. Just keep sealed airtight in the freezer until ready to serve.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • 24 hours:
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Drinks
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 123
  • Sugar: 3.5 g
  • Sodium: 0.7 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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