This cocktail gets a classic twist in a glass with my latest creation – the Chocolate Old Fashioned cocktail. In this delectable concoction, the cherished tradition of a classic whiskey-based drink collides with the irresistible allure of chocolate, resulting in a drink that's as sophisticated as it is satisfying! Get ready to sip, savor, and succumb to the enchantment of this sweet and tasty chocolate bourbon masterpiece!

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If you’ve been following the blog for any period of time, you probably already know that I’m a big fan of both cocktails and chocolate. They both bring me such joy, so combining my two loves in one glass seemed like a no-brainer. Chocolate drinks with a whiskey twist? Yes, please!
And, while I love my chocolate cake shots and smoked old-fashioned, now that the days are getting shorter and cooler, I wanted some whiskey warmth for these new mixed drinks with chocolate. The results are nothing short of stunningly delicious. Serve with a side of chocolate popcorn for game night, a slice of chocolate bundt cake for a special occasion, or a few bites of chocolate rice krispie treats!
Best of all, this simple recipe for my cocoa old fashioned requires just 4 simple ingredients and zero fuss. Just measure, pour, stir, and serve! You’ll be sipping on a glass of chocolatey bliss in mere minutes. Chocolate mixed drinks FTW!
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Old Fashioned Recipe
Aside from tasting like a trip through Willy Wonka’s factory, these chocolate bitters old-fashioned cocktails are:
- Quick & Easy - All you need is a jigger or liquid measuring cup, a glass, a long spoon, and a few minutes to whip up this simple chocolate cocktail recipe.
- Made With Just 4 Ingredients - A short ingredient list means a delicious chocolate bitters cocktail is never far from reach!
- Intoxicatingly Delicious - If you like chocolate and whiskey, you’ll love this chocolate old-fashioned chocolate.
🍴Ingredients

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make these tasty whiskey cocktails with chocolate bitters. Here’s what to grab:
- Whiskey - I tend to reach for bourbon here, but feel free to use the whiskey of your choice.
- Chocolate Liqueur - Chocolate liqueur has a cozy, rich, chocolate-y flavor that really comes alive when mixed with whiskey. Make sure you’re reaching for a high-quality brand for the best flavor. Alternatively, a nutty liqueur like Frangelico can also be used.
- Chocolate Bitters or Coffee Bitters - Either will do beautifully! Chocolate or coffee extract are also acceptable substitutes.
- Luxardo Cherry - For a high-class garnish and added boost of sweet flavor.
If you're a chocolate lover, you'll love my chocolate mousse cups, chocolate old fashioned donuts, chocolate clafoutis or even my yuzu chocolate mousse!
⏲️ Substitutions & Variations
- Batched Old Fashioned - To make a batched version of this drink, use a ratio of 4x the ingredients, increasing the amount as needed. Store in a pitcher next to a bucket of ice, mixing glass, and strainer so your guests can chill their drinks as needed.
- Non-Alcoholic Chocolate Bitters Cocktail - Swap in your favorite NA whiskey and coffee liqueur (e.g. Lyre’s). While chocolate bitters are made with alcohol, the 3 drops per cocktail is extremely negligible.
- Elevate your classic old-fashioned cocktail with a rich twist by substituting your usual bourbon for Ballotin Chocolate Whiskey and adding a dash of orange bitters, creating a perfect date night drink served in an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. You could also use peanut butter whiskey here if you want to mix things up further!
- For a unique chocolate whiskey cocktail, blend Irish whiskey, chocolate liqueur, and a hint of Creme de Cacao, then garnish with a twist of orange peel and a drizzle of melted chocolate in an old-fashioned glass to create layers of flavor that make it ideal for special occasions.
- Indulge in the decadence of a Chocolate Mint Julep by infusing your favorite bourbon with cocoa powder and mint, serving it in a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnishing with a chocolate-covered cherry!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
📖 How To Make A Chocolate Old Fashioned: Step-by-Step Instructions
There are only two steps before you're cozied up to your chocolate cocktail!

Step 1: Stir & Chill. Add bourbon, chocolate liqueur & bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon, stir gently for 30 seconds until the liquid is chilled.

Step 2: Serve Up. Pour the old-fashioned into the old fashioned glass with ice & garnish with a Luxardo cherry. Cheers!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Use high-quality ingredients. Grab the best whiskey you can find in your price range (Bulleit is a lovely inexpensive option!).
- Don’t overmix. Stirring the cocktail over ice is meant to just chill it. Don’t stir for too long or you’ll risk dilution.
- Use filtered water to make your ice. This will ensure you don’t get any lingering chemical flavors (like chlorine) in your drink.


💭 Recipe FAQs
Chocolate (or cocoa) bitters add a delightful kiss of cocoa in your cocktails! They bring a warm, deep, and slightly bitter chocolate flavor to your drinks, adding complexity and depth. Think of them as liquid chocolate with a hint of spice and earthiness.
With a bottle of cocoa bitters in your kitchen, the possibilities are endless! You can elevate classics like your Old Fashioned with a chocolatey twist, or get creative by adding a few drops to your coffee, hot chocolate, or even dessert recipes. They're like a secret ingredient that takes your beverages and treats to a whole new level of deliciousness.
This Chocolate Old Fashioned is delightfully sweet, with a hint of bittersweet cocoa to balance the rich whisky.
Absolutely! Jameson is a great choice for this Chocolate Old Fashioned recipe. Its smooth and slightly sweet profile pairs wonderfully with the chocolate and other flavors in the cocktail, creating a well-balanced and delicious drink.
More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love
If you try the recipe for this Chocolate Old Fashioned Cocktail, please leave a 🌟 review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 📧

Chocolate Old Fashioned
Equipment
- Rocks Glass
Ingredients
- 2 Oz Whiskey
- ½ Oz Chocolate Liqueur
- 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters
- Luxardo Cherry, optional garnish
Instructions
- Add ingredients into a mixing glass with ice2 Oz Whiskey, ½ Oz Chocolate Liqueur, 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters
- Stir to both combine and chill ingredients
- Strain into serving glass with ice, garnish if desired and enjoy!Luxardo Cherry
Video
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients. Grab the best whiskey you can find in your price range (Bulleit is a lovely inexpensive option!).
- Don’t overmix. Stirring the cocktail over ice is meant to just chill it. Don’t stir for too long or you’ll risk dilution.
- Use filtered water to make your ice. This will ensure you don’t get any lingering chemical flavors (like chlorine) in your drink.
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