Spiced Orange Old Fashioned

Life lesson from Fox & Beagle: once you've made a syrup, especially one that is rich in dark brooding citrus and winter spice, try it in an Old Fashioned.

There is no doubting that this is the simplest and most obvious use of our homemade spiced orange syrup - after all, most Old Fashioned recipes use cinnamon-heavy aromatic bitters and orange peel - but you will forgive us for the lack of experimentation when you try it. It works best with a whisky with a hint of orange - Glenmorangie Lasanta or Monkey Shoulder, perhaps?

This might just be our favourite Christmas Old Fashioned recipe this year (see also Gingerbread & spiced pear), perhaps because it has more rich, citrussy Christmas spirit than the satsuma Father Christmas leaves in the toe of your stocking.

Spiced Orange Old Fashioned

60ml whisky
10ml spiced orange syrup
2 dashes of aromatic or orange bitters (we use our own Highland bitters)

Combine spiced orange syrup, bitters, half the whisky and a handful of cubed ice in a mixing glass. Stir for 45 seconds. Add a second handful of cubed ice and the rest of the whisky and stir for another 45 seconds. Strain over ice into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with a dried orange slice.

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