Jenna Haley
Perfect for a relaxing drink on a cool night or casual get-together, the Campfire Old Fashioned is the ultimate nostalgic tipple. Fireside flavours permeate a classic, well-rounded bourbon cocktail, combining beautifully with the drink’s mild, smoky aroma from a smoked glass.
Chocolate and orange bitters add complexity, toasted marshmallow syrup provides a cosy sweetness, and a toasted marshmallow garnish is the cherry on top. Grab a blanket and make yourself comfortable, because this Old Fashioned is the ultimate in classic cocktails with a twist.
Why You’ll Love This
The Campfire Old Fashioned is smoky, sweet, and rich with familiar bourbon flavor.
- Bourbon gives it a warm base. It brings oak, vanilla, and caramel notes.
- Toasted marshmallow syrup adds campfire sweetness. It gives the cocktail its signature flavor.
- Chocolate bitters add depth. They bring a darker cocoa note.
- Orange bitters brighten the drink. They help lift the richer bourbon and syrup.
- The smoked glass adds aroma. It makes the drink feel more special before the first sip.
- The garnish fits the theme. A toasted marshmallow keeps the campfire idea front and center.
This is a good option when you want an Old Fashioned with a sweeter, smoky twist.
Ingredients
Each ingredient contributes to the drink’s bourbon, chocolate, citrus, or toasted flavor.
- 4 dashes chocolate bitters
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 orange squeeze wheel
- 2 oz bourbon
- .75 oz toasted marshmallow syrup
- marshmallow for garnish
- orange peel for garnish (optional)
Bourbon gives the drink its main spirit base.
Chocolate bitters add cocoa-like depth.
Orange bitters and the squeezed orange bring citrus that helps cut through the sweeter syrup.
Toasted marshmallow syrup adds sweetness and the campfire-style flavor.
The toasted marshmallow and orange peel finish the drink with aroma and a strong visual theme.
Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions
A bourbon with vanilla, caramel, and oak notes works especially well with toasted marshmallow.
- Buffalo Trace: A smooth choice with vanilla and caramel notes.
- Maker’s Mark: A softer bourbon that works well with sweeter ingredients.
- Woodford Reserve: A richer option with oak and spice.
- Bulleit Bourbon: A slightly drier choice that gives more contrast.
- Rye whiskey: Use this if you want a spicier and less sweet variation.
- Maple syrup: This can replace part of the marshmallow syrup for a different fall direction.
If chocolate bitters are unavailable, aromatic bitters can work, though the drink will lose some cocoa character.
If orange bitters are unavailable, another citrus bitter can work.
Equipment and Glassware
This cocktail uses standard Old Fashioned tools plus a safe setup for smoking the glass.
- Mixing Glass
- Bar Spoon
- Strainer
- Rocks Glass
- Lighter or torch(for marshmallow)
A sturdy rocks glass works best because it is used to trap the smoke before the drink is poured.
Use only a fire-safe surface when toasting or smoking the marshmallow.
How to Make It
The Campfire Old Fashioned starts with homemade toasted marshmallow syrup, then uses a smoked glass for extra aroma.
Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
- First toast 6-8 marshmallows over an open flame, butane torch, or on the stovetop and set aside.
- Next take 1 cup of white granulated sugar, and 1 cup of water and add to a saucepan.
- Add the toasted marshmallows to the saucepan, bring to a slight boil, and then lower to a simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the marshmallows are fully dissolved.
- Turn off the heat and let cool for 20 minutes, then strain out the syrup into a container and keep for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Cocktail
- Carefully toast a marshmallow on a fire-safe surface. Place a rocks glass overtop of the marshmallow to ensure it extinguishes the flame. Let the glass smoke.
- Add bourbon, bitters, marshmallow syrup, and squeezed orange over ice in a separate glass. Stir until the mixture is slightly diluted.
- Grab your rocks glass that is overtop the marshmallow and add a large ice cube. Strain your cocktail over the fresh ice cube and stir.
- Garnish with the toasted marshmallow and express the orange peel overtop of the old fashioned.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Campfire Old Fashioned!
Use caution around open flame. Make sure the marshmallow is fully extinguished and no longer glowing before moving the glass or adding the drink. Keep alcohol bottles, paper, cloth, and other flammable items away from the flame.
Pro Tips
A few small details can help the Campfire Old Fashioned taste cleaner and smell more aromatic.
- Use a large ice cube. It chills the drink while slowing dilution.
- Do not over-smoke the glass. A short smoke is enough to add aroma.
- Toast the marshmallow evenly. You want browned edges rather than a fully burned garnish.
- Let the syrup cool completely. Warm syrup can throw off the drink’s temperature.
- Measure the marshmallow syrup carefully. Too much can make the cocktail overly sweet.
- Stir rather than shake. This keeps the texture closer to a classic Old Fashioned.
- Express the orange peel at the end. The citrus oils add aroma right before serving.
- Extinguish all flames fully. Never garnish with anything still burning or glowing.
If you want a slightly drier version, reduce the marshmallow syrup in a future batch after trying the original recipe first.
Variations
The Campfire Old Fashioned is easy to adjust while keeping the same smoky fall style.
- Maple Campfire Version: Replace part of the marshmallow syrup with maple syrup.
- Rye Version: Use rye whiskey for more spice.
- Mocha Version: Add an extra dash of chocolate bitters.
- Orange-Forward Version: Add a little more orange bitters.
- No-Smoke Version: Skip smoking the glass and use only the toasted marshmallow garnish.
You can also use a lightly charred cinnamon stick for aroma, as long as it is fully extinguished before serving.
When to Serve and Pairings
The Campfire Old Fashioned works especially well during fall and winter.
It is a good choice for:
- Bonfire nights
- Fall dinners
- Holiday gatherings
- Weekend cocktails
- Dessert nights
- Cabin trips
For food, pair it with savory or sweet dishes that work well with bourbon, chocolate, orange, and toasted sugar.
Try it with:
- Dark chocolate
- Pecan pie
- Brownies
- Smoked nuts
- Sharp cheddar
- Barbecue
- S’mores
It also fits nicely next to drinks such as S’mores Old Fashioned, Pecan Bourbon Old Fashioned, or Cider and Maple Old Fashioned.
I especially like this one with s’mores because the toasted marshmallow flavor in the cocktail makes the pairing feel intentional without requiring another heavy dessert drink.
Storage and Serving Notes
The Campfire Old Fashioned is best stirred and served fresh.
The toasted marshmallow syrup can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Keep the syrup in a clean, covered container.
You can pre-measure the bourbon and bitters ahead of time, but smoke the glass and stir the cocktail shortly before serving.
Do not smoke several glasses too far in advance because the aroma will fade.
If making several drinks, prepare the syrup first, then assemble each cocktail individually.
Keep all open flames away from bottles of spirits and other flammable materials.
FAQs
Here are a few common questions about the Campfire Old Fashioned.
What does a Campfire Old Fashioned taste like?
It tastes like bourbon with toasted marshmallow, chocolate, orange, and a light smoky aroma.
Can I make the marshmallow syrup ahead of time?
Yes. The recipe allows it to be refrigerated for 1-2 weeks.
Do I have to smoke the glass?
No. You can skip that step and still get toasted marshmallow flavor from the syrup and garnish.
Can I use rye whiskey instead of bourbon?
Yes. Rye gives the drink a drier and spicier profile.
Can I use regular bitters instead of chocolate bitters?
Yes, but the drink will lose some of its cocoa-like depth.
How do I safely smoke the glass?
Use a fire-safe surface, keep flammable items away, extinguish the marshmallow fully, and make sure nothing is burning or glowing before assembling the drink.
More Cocktails to Try
If you like the Campfire Old Fashioned, these drinks offer similar bourbon, smoke, caramel, or fall flavors.
These drinks are good choices when you want cocktails with bourbon, smoke, toasted sugar, chocolate, maple, or other cool-weather flavors.
Equipment
- Lighter or torch (for marshmallow)
Ingredients
- 4 dashes chocolate bitters
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 orange squeeze wheel
- 2 oz bourbon
- .75 oz toasted marshmallow syrup
- marshmallow for garnish
- orange peel for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Toasted Marshmallow Syrup:
- First toast 6-8 marshmallows over an open flame, butane torch, or on the stovetop and set aside. Next take 1 cup of white granulated sugar, and 1 cup of water and add to a saucepan. Add the toasted marshmallows to the saucepan, bring to a slight boil, and then lower to a simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the marshmallows are fully dissolved. Turn off the heat and let cool for 20 minutes, then strain out the syrup into a container and keep for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Carefully toast a marshmallow on a fire-safe surface. Place a rocks glass overtop of the marshmallow to ensure it extinguishes the flame. Let the glass smoke
- Add bourbon, bitters, marshmallow syrup, and squeezed orange over ice in a separate glass. Stir until the mixture is slightly diluted.
- Grab your rocks glass that is overtop the marshmallow and add a large ice cube. Strain your cocktail over the fresh ice cube and stir
- Garnish with the toasted marshmallow and express the orange peel overtop of the old fashioned
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Campfire Old Fashioned!
Notes
Pro Tips
- Use a large ice ball or large ice cube to prevent the old fashioned from watering down.
- Use a big ice cube to slow dilution.
- If you want more citrus, add a second squeeze of orange.
