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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Winter Old Fashioned with Allspice Dram

    Published: Dec 26, 2019 · Last Modified: Jan 31, 2021 by Beyond Mere Sustenance with 6 Comments· This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

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    A pin of a winter old fashioned cocktail with an orange twist and a spherical ice cube.
    A pin of a winter old fashioned cocktail with an orange twist and a spherical ice cube.

    Whiskey, port, and allspice dram with a dash or two of orange bitters, my Winter Old Fashioned evokes the warmth of a fireside chat... A perfect holiday cocktail but you'll enjoy it all winter long... we sure do!

    A single Winter Old Fashioned with allspice dram on a sparkly burlap tablerunner with christmas ornaments and candle.
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Recipe Inspiration
    • 🍊 What is allspice dram?
    • 📋 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • 🧂 Useful Stuff
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - Recipe Inspiration

    Warm spices like allspice and cinnamon remind us of "the holidays," right? I think of the pfeffernüsse my husband has made with love nearly every Christmas for the last 40 years... Allspice dram cocktails have become a bit of an obsession!

    I first had a winter old fashioned at our youngest son Gerritt's restaurant (he's a professional chef) Valentine's Day 2019. We had a beautiful 5 course meal paired with cocktails. The bar tender/mixologist was gracious enough to share the ingredients - rye whiskey, allspice dram, and port. A few dashes of orange bitters and an orange twist make this a very festive, seasonal, and unique cocktail!

    🍊 What is allspice dram?

    Allspice dram is a liqueur that goes by 2 names - allspice and pimento dram. Allspice is the berry of the pimento tree. Fun fact: Both allspice berries and pimentos come from the pimento tree!

    The liqueur originated in the pimento tree's native Jamaica. It finds its way into many rum-based cocktails and was made popular by the original tiki bar pioneers like Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber.

    Homemade allspice dram is easy to make at home. Allspice berries soaked in rum are the base for allspice dram. The berries are crushed, and added to the rum. After 4 days, the broken cinnamon stick is added. A total of 12 days steeping time is required before a brown sugar simple syrup is added.

    The completed allspice dram does not require refrigeration (like other liqueurs) and will keep 1 to 2 months. Keep in mind that even though it will not spoil, the flavor will change. I hope you'll make your allspice dram and explore the world of allspice dram cocktails...

    📋 Ingredients You'll Need

    Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

    Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

    • whiskey (rye or bourbon) - I prefer rye, and have often used bourbon. I would suggest trying whichever you have in your bar first!
    • port - No need to use "top shelf" port, just something drinkable.
    • allspice dram - I make my own allspice dram (that contains alcohol). However, you can purchase alcoholic allspice dram at large liquor stores, or order allspice dram online.
    • orange bitters - Orange bitters are optional, but I keep them in my bar, and always add a few drops!
    • orange twist
    Ingredients for 2 whiskey cocktails - whiskey, port, allspice dram, 2 rocks glasses with sphere shaped ice cubes.

    🔪 Instructions

    • A stainless steel cocktail shaker with condensation behind 2 rocks glasses with single sphere shaped ice cubes.
    • Bartender is pouring the whiskey cocktail from the cocktail shaker into a rocks glass with ice.
    Making the winter old fashioned!

    Gather your ingredients. You will also need a cocktail shaker or spoon, and rocks glasses. Add the whiskey, port, and allspice dram to your shaker or glass. Shake or stir well to combine. Either pour over an ice cube or add an ice cube.

    Add a few drops of bitters and garnish with an orange twist as desired. Cheers!

    A bird's eye view of a whiskey cocktail with allspice dram with a silver cocktail pick, orange twist, and Christmas ornaments.

    💭 Tips

    What is the difference between bourbon and rye? Both are whiskeys, but they have very different flavor profiles. Bourbon must be made from a mash of at least 51% corn, it must be made in the US, and while there is no minimum aging requirement, it must be aged at least two years to be called "straight bourbon." Rye, on the other hand, needs to be at least 51% rye mash, but many are 95-100%.

    One main difference between the two whiskeys is in their flavor profiles. Bourbon - because it's mostly corn - has a sweet, full-bodied taste. Rye has a somewhat spicy and very dry taste.

    Which is better for the cocktail, bourbon or rye? We have enjoyed both immensely, but they do taste different. If you keep one or the other in your bar stock, I'd go with that one. If you're going to buy the whiskey, see the flavor differences above, and go with your preference.

    Do I have to make the allspice dram? No. You can probably find it in liquor stores with a wide selection of liqueurs.

    Why make allspice dram? I made the equivalent of 4 bottles for the price of a somewhat inexpensive rum, some spices, and brown sugar... about $20.

    🧂 Useful Stuff

    BG Reynold's Tiki Spiced Syrup (Allspice Dram)
    Ice Molds
    Fee Orange Bitters

    Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

    2 rocks glasses with Winter Old Fashioned cocktails on a burlap background... a mixture of whiskey, port, and allspice dram with an orange twist.

    'Tis the season for family, friends, and celebration... in just days we'll ring in 2020. Enjoy and be safe!

    Happy New Year!

    📖 Recipe

    A winter oldfashioned on a burlap cloth with orange twist and Christmas ornaments.

    Winter Old Fashioned

    Tamara Andersen
    A festive winter cocktail with whiskey, port wine, and the warm spices of allspice dram!
    4.82 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Beverages
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 203 kcal

    Useful Equipment

    • mason jar cocktail shaker set
    • rocks glasses

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 ounces whiskey rye or bourbon
    • 2 ounces port see notes
    • 1 teaspoon allspice dram
    • several shakes orange or cardamom bitters see notes
    • orange peel twist

    Instructions

    • Add whiskey, port, and allspice dram to a glass or cocktail shaker.
    • Add ice.
    • Stir or shake to combine.
    • Garnish with orange peel twist and a few shakes of bitters.

    Notes

    As mentioned in the post, you can use your favorite whiskey. We have tried both rye and bourbon.
    We have used both orange and cardamom bitters, and like both! Cinnamon bitters would be another option.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcal

    NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

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    Comments

    1. Randy Gritton says

      December 18, 2021 at 12:03 pm

      Do you use a ruby or a tawny port? Or is this something to play around with also?

      Reply
      • Tamara Andersen says

        December 18, 2021 at 12:17 pm

        Hi Randy! I always buy tawny port because I like it better. Tawny port has more of the nutty, caramel flavor notes that I like. I would suggest using your preferred variety of port, but I'm a strong advocate of playing around with recipes to suit your taste. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    2. Kevin says

      December 17, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      Is 2oz of port a typo? Seems like a lot of port.

      Reply
      • Tamara Andersen says

        December 17, 2021 at 9:36 pm

        Hi Kevin! No, it's not a typo. A classic old fashioned calls for sweetener in the form of a sugar cube or simple syrup. The port is sweet, and it's also lower alcohol than rye or bourbon. We think it's a well-balanced cocktail, and neither my husband or I like "sweet" cocktails, wine, or dessert. If you're uncertain, perhaps reduce the port and adjust. All of our taste buds are different. Good luck, and Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    3. Pam Greer says

      March 18, 2020 at 10:01 am

      Oh, I can't wait to make the allspice dram, so I can make this old fashioned! On old fashioned is my favorite cocktail and I love this warm spiced version!

      Reply
      • Tamara says

        March 22, 2020 at 9:18 am

        Let me know if you make the allspice dram? I've made several batches, and I'm always sad when it's gone!

        Reply

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