I want to introduce you to my new favorite cocktail of the fall; the Apple Thyme Old Fashioned. It's strong, cozy, packed with fall flavor, and perfect for sipping from now through Thanksgiving.
I'm totally in love with this cocktail. We've had it alongside squash soup, roasted root veggies, and hearty fall salads. It goes so well with fall fruits and veggies, and anything involving herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage. I think it would even be totally delightful at Thanksgiving, since thyme makes such a frequent appearance in classic Thanksgiving dishes.
This is one we've made again and again over the past few years. For that reason, you'll see lots of options below and lots of generations of photos; it's really one that you can vary to fit your own tastes.
The Old Fashioned is a very classic whiskey cocktail, and one that Dave and I love immensely. It's straightforward and not at all fussy, plus it's a great blank canvas for seasonal variations.
Classically-speaking, the Old Fashioned is made with bourbon (although rye can work as well, but is less traditional). The "original" Old Fashioned is just bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters. Not to be picky about things, but it's generally stirred and then served on the rocks... and usually a few large rocks rather than crushed ice. It's also garnished with orange peel (and not an orange slice... and not a cherry...). Sorry for the rant, but I'm a bit particular about how my Old Fashioned is made.
Anyways, my seasonal riff uses the classic bourbon but replaces the plain simple syrup with a delightfully-fragrant thyme simple syrup. The bitters still play an important role, but you can use something fall-like (e.g. pecan bitters) if you have it. Then, instead of the usual orange peel, I like to garnish this one with apple slices (or whole baby apples, see below!!) and thyme. It's a bit less simple than the original Old Fashioned, but still true to the spirit of the drink.
This cocktail relies upon a simple syrup to get all that wonderful thyme flavor into a drinkable form. If you've never made a simple syrup before, don't let the fancy name intimidate you! It's actually really easy to do at home, and a simple syrup keeps great in the fridge for weeks, meaning you can keep using it again and again all fall long.
A simple syrup is just a 1:1 mixture of sugar and water, cooked down until it becomes thick and syrupy. It's a great way to capture flavors that are difficult to get into a liquid form otherwise, like thyme. That's why the simple syrup is a very powerful tool in mixology!
Of all the simple syrups I make, thyme is the one I use most. It pairs so beautifully with both whiskey and gin, and is great with a large variety of fruits. While softer herbs (e.g. mint, basil) easily release their flavors with muddling, thyme really doesn't; a simple syrup is definitely the best way to get that beautiful taste and fragrance into a cocktail.
Here's what you'll need for this cocktail as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Something about this drink just feels so special to me. The thyme makes it seem so seasonal, the bourbon is warming, and the apple is perfect for fall. This is the sort of drink that I think epitomizes fall food, when we all go the extra mile to make things that are especially comforting and indulgent.
Our favorite way to enjoy this drink is in front of the fire for happy hour after a fall hike. But we've also brought it on picnics, served it at harvest parties, and one year I made it for Thanksgiving. It's a versatile, elegant sipper that will work great for all your fall occasions whether casual or festive. Cheers and happy fall!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
This Old Fashioned riff is all things fall: sweet bourbon, juicy apple, fragrant thyme, and a whole lotta cozy. It's a go-to cocktail in our house during October and November!
For the Thyme Simple Syrup
For the Cocktail
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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