That’s right, finally a new cocktail recipe. It’s been a while!

I’m trying to move a little more into creating my own recipes, or twists on recipes, since I’ve blogged my way through most of the classic cocktails I care to invest in (some of them require me spending $40 on a new bottle – I can’t do that every time!) But I’m excited to share that this week I’ve come up with a Winter Old Fashioned.

Old Fashioned are so simple and classic. I gravitate toward them when the weather is cold anyway; whiskey has a bit of a warming quality to it, no?

But this one has a couple of special qualities. I used Pendleton Whiskey, a bottle they released this summer that has a delicious, spicy quality about it.

Conveniently, I recently picked up a bottle of Portland Bitters Project’s Pitch Dark Chocolate Bitters. I. Am. Obsessed. You’ve gotta pick up some of these if you have the chance! When I tasted them, I immediately thought of combining them with a hint of orange for a delightfully winter beverage.

And the other thing I love about this recipe? That it gives me another shot to mix up some magic in my Bull in China mixing glass. If you are thinking of a holiday gift for a cocktail lover, check this baby out.

The Winter Old Fashioned Cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 oz spice-forward whiskey (recommended: Pendleton Midnight)
• 2 dashes chocolate or cacao bitters (recommended: Portland Bitters Project)
• 2 dashes orange bitters (Recommended: Sun Liquor)
• 1 tsp. simple syrup
• Orange zest for garnish

Instructions

1. Add whiskey, bitters and syrup to a mixing glass and stir until cold. Strain over ice into a rocks glass.
2. Twist orange zest over glass to express oils, then swipe the outside of the peel around the rim of the glass. Drop zest into glass and enjoy.