Christmas Old Fashioned made with Rye Whiskey (2024)

FAQs

Can I use rye whiskey for Old Fashioned? ›

Bourbon or rye whiskey

Consequently, some traditionalists insist an Old-Fashioned should be made with rye, but bourbon is equally correct and the choice of whiskey should be entirely up to the personal taste of the drinker. Bourbon makes a mellow, slightly sweeter drink, while rye adds more spice and kick.

What is the best bourbon for making an Old Fashioned? If you're looking to make a delicious Old Fashioned co*cktail, some top choices for bourbon are the Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity, and Larceny Straight Bourbon.

It pairs well with everything from brandy and vermouth to nutmeg and apples. Rye co*cktails are perfect for the cold weather and there are plenty of ways to enjoy them. Try something appropriately seasonal like the Mott & Mulberry which features apple cider, maple syrup, and lemon.

Scroll through this list for timeless holiday classics like Eggnog and Hot Buttered Rum; boozy versions of hot chocolate; and new riffs on classics like our Cranberry Ginger Mimosa and a Negroni that tastes like a Christmas tree. We've also included decadent after-dinner drinks and punches for a crowd.

Rye whiskey and bourbon are often thrown together, mentioned in the same breath as if they're one and the same, and can be used as such. However, while the two whiskeys are pretty similar and often appear in the same co*cktails, there are still some differences.

Apparently, one of the best swaps for bourbon is rye whiskey, thanks to the extreme similarities between the two spirits. Both are types of whiskey made from grain mash, but bourbon — in order to be called bourbon — must be made from at least 51% corn.

I focused my tasting on American whiskeys, stressing a balance between familiar bottles and less-famous ones that are well worth space on your shelf, though there are any number of fantastic rye-forward Canadian whiskeys that make great Old Fashioned co*cktails, such as Crown Royal and Alberta Premium.

Sweet and strong with touches of citrus, the Old Fashioned never really gets old, especially when it's made with Maker's Mark^®.

Crown Royal is completely Canadian.

It's quintessentially Canadian. That's because Crown Royal Deluxe combines the lighter body of column-distilled whiskey with the fruity and spicy notes from rye.

Is rye whiskey better than bourbon? ›

Flavor Profile of Rye Whiskey and Bourbon

The spicy flavor can make rye whiskey a bit more challenging to drink than bourbon, but it also makes it an excellent choice for co*cktails like the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned. Bourbon, on the other hand, is known for its sweeter taste.

OUR signature. recipe

Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark^® is made with soft red winter wheat, instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored bourbon. To ensure consistency, we rotate every barrel by hand and age our bourbon to taste, not time.

Eggnog. Can you really call it Christmas until you've had an eggnog? This traditional festive drink is made with eggs, milk, cream, and sugar, and lightly spiced with nutmeg.

Rye and bourbon are distinguished mainly by their mash bills. Rye whiskey is made with a minimum of 51% rye grain, giving it a spicier, drier taste. In contrast, bourbon, like Jim Beam, has at least 51% corn in its mash bill, leading to a sweeter profile.

Although the original New York co*cktail ingredients call for American Rye, bartenders from across the US have quickly adopted a substitution for the spirit with a Bourbon Manhattan variant. The use of either spirit creates a hint of complexities that other classic aromatic co*cktails cannot match.

In a co*cktail shaker combine Whip Saw Rye, lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters and egg white and shake for 30 seconds to combine. Fill the shaker with ice and shake for an additional 30 seconds. Strain and serve over ice, drizzle Partner Vermouth over the top and garnish with a lemon wheel.

The primary difference between the two is the mash bill. American rye whiskey must be distilled from a rye mash made from at least 51% rye. The other 49% of the mash bill can be any combination of grains–even more rye. In practice, however, it's usually a combination of barley and corn.