Fizzy Old-Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

Last weekend, I had some friends over to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday. I made a bunch of little bites for everyone to snack on, but I also wanted to offer a cocktail or two for everyone to try, like this Fizzy Old-Fashioned!

The most recent Cooking Light had this recipe for a Fizzy Old-Fashioned cocktail that sounded like a perfect warm weather drink. The recipe plays off a traditional Old Fashioned (muddled sugar and bitters, bourbon, orange rind) but adds in Blood Orange Soda to give it more flavor and a beautiful color!

Ingredients (4 servings):

3/4 cup bourbon
The juice of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon Peach bitters (or whatever bitters you have)
2 cups chilled blood orange soda (such as San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa)
Ice
Garnish: orange rind twists

Note: Bourbon does include grains that contain gluten. However, distilled alcohol is considered gluten-free because the process of distillation removes the harmful gluten protein, which is why I have this recipe listed as gluten free. If you are highly sensitive to gluten, bourbon may be off limits for you.

Add the bourbon, lemon juice and peach bitters in a small pitcher.

When ready to serve, add ice and stir in the blood orange soda.

Garnish with orange rind twists.

The warmth of the bourbon comes through without being too overpowering. The blood orange soda, bitters, and lemon juice add a not-too-sweet citrus flavor that I just loved. (As a side note, I ran out of lemons when I went to make another batch of this so I just used fresh orange juice instead. And it was equally delicious!)

I think I’ve found my new go-to cocktail!

In case you had any interest, I also served the Rhuby-Lavender Lemonade, Mini versions of the Meatloaf Muffins, Mini Chicken and Waffles and Mini Fudge Puppies from the Tiny Food Party cookbook, Artichoke and Arugula Pizza with Prosciutto, and Chili Oil Hummus with veggies, which can all be found on my blog!