S’mores Old Fashioned

Campfire flavors meet a classic bourbon cocktail in this S’mores Old Fashioned, a rich drink made with bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, chocolate bitters, and toasted marshmallows. It has the familiar warmth of an Old Fashioned, but the chocolate and marshmallow give it a fun dessert-inspired twist.

I love this drink because it feels familiar without tasting ordinary. Bourbon already has notes that can lean toward caramel, vanilla, oak, and baking spice, so pairing it with chocolate bitters makes a lot of sense. The toasted marshmallow garnish adds a sweet aroma before you even take the first sip.

This cocktail works especially well for fall nights, holiday gatherings, dinner parties, and evenings when you want something sweeter than a traditional Old Fashioned. It also makes a great after-dinner drink because the chocolate flavor and toasted garnish feel right at home next to dessert.

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Why You’ll Love This

The S’mores Old Fashioned takes a recognizable bourbon favorite and gives it a playful dessert angle. You still get the slow-sipping character of a classic Old Fashioned, while chocolate bitters and toasted marshmallow make each glass feel a little more special.

• It uses just a few ingredients. Bourbon, syrup, two types of bitters, and a garnish are all you need.
• There is no complicated prep. The drink is stirred, strained, and served over ice.
• Chocolate works naturally with bourbon. The bitters add cocoa notes without turning the cocktail into a heavy chocolate drink.
• The garnish adds flavor and aroma. Toasting the marshmallow gives it a lightly caramelized flavor that works well with the bourbon.
• It makes a good after-dinner cocktail. The sweeter profile fits nicely after a meal or alongside dessert.
• It is easy to make one glass at a time. You do not need specialty equipment or advanced bartending skills.

If you already enjoy an Old Fashioned but want something sweeter and more playful, this version is an easy one to add to your home cocktail list.

Ingredients

This drink keeps the ingredient list short, which means each part has an important job. Bourbon forms the base, simple syrup brings sweetness, and the two bitters add spice and chocolate notes. A toasted marshmallow finishes the drink with a familiar s’mores-style touch.

• 1.5 oz bourbon
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes chocolate bitters
• Garnish: toasted marshmallows

The bourbon is the main flavor, so use one you already enjoy drinking. A bottle with caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, or baking spice notes tends to work especially well here.

The simple syrup makes this version noticeably sweeter than a standard Old Fashioned. That extra sweetness helps give the drink its dessert-inspired character.

Angostura bitters provide spice and herbal depth, while chocolate bitters add cocoa flavor without making the drink thick or creamy.

Finally, the toasted marshmallow is more than decoration. Its warm, roasted aroma reaches your nose as you sip, making the chocolate and bourbon combination feel even more like classic s’mores.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

You do not need a rare bourbon for this recipe. A dependable bottle with enough flavor to stand up to the syrup and chocolate bitters will work well.

• Maker’s Mark: Its softer wheat-based profile and notes of caramel and vanilla fit naturally with chocolate and marshmallow.
• Woodford Reserve: A good choice if you want more oak, spice, and cocoa-friendly character.
• Buffalo Trace: This bourbon brings caramel, vanilla, and light spice without making the cocktail feel too heavy.
• Old Forester 86 Proof: A solid option when you want a bit more bourbon character against the sweeter ingredients.
• Rye whiskey: Swap bourbon for rye if you prefer a spicier, slightly drier version.
• Demerara syrup: You can use it in place of simple syrup for deeper molasses and brown sugar notes.

If chocolate bitters are hard to find, cocoa bitters can work as a replacement. Different brands vary in strength, so begin with two dashes and adjust future drinks based on your preference.

Equipment and Glassware

You only need basic bar tools for this cocktail, which makes it easy to prepare at home.

• Mixing glass
• Bar spoon
• Jigger
• Cocktail strainer
• Rocks glass
• Cocktail pick for the marshmallow, if desired

A large mixing glass gives the ingredients enough room to chill properly. If you do not own one, a sturdy pint glass or small glass pitcher can work.

Serve the cocktail in a rocks glass over fresh ice. One large cube works especially well because it melts more slowly, helping the drink stay cold without becoming watered down too quickly.

How to Make It

This S’mores Old Fashioned follows the classic stirred cocktail method. Stirring chills the drink while keeping its texture smooth and clear.

1. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and chocolate bitters. Add ice and stir until well chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over ice cubes.
3. Top with a toasted marshmallow on a pick or floating.

The main thing to watch is dilution. Stir long enough to properly chill the cocktail, but avoid leaving it on melting ice for too long before serving.

Pro Tips

Small details can make a noticeable difference with a simple cocktail like this one. Since there are only a few ingredients, temperature, ice, garnish, and balance matter.

• Use fresh ice in the serving glass. Do not pour the mixing ice into the finished cocktail.
• Toast the marshmallow right before serving. A freshly toasted garnish gives off a stronger roasted aroma.
• Use a large ice cube when possible. It keeps the cocktail cold while slowing dilution.
• Choose a bourbon you like on its own. The whiskey remains a major part of the drink even with the sweeter additions.
• Measure the syrup carefully. A small change can make the drink much sweeter or drier.
• Do not skip the Angostura bitters. They keep the chocolate and syrup from tasting flat.
• Try the marshmallow on a cocktail pick. This keeps it from breaking apart in the drink while still adding aroma.
• Chill the rocks glass first. A cold glass helps the cocktail stay at the right temperature longer.

Once you know how the original version tastes, you can make small changes to suit your preference while keeping the basic character of the cocktail intact.

Variations

The basic formula gives you plenty of room to change the flavor without making the drink complicated.

• Spiced S’mores Old Fashioned: Use a bourbon with stronger cinnamon and baking spice notes, or add one dash of aromatic bitters.
• Smokier version: Use a small amount of smoky whiskey alongside the bourbon for a more campfire-like finish.
• Dark chocolate version: Choose bitters with stronger cocoa or dark chocolate notes for a less candy-like profile.
• Demerara version: Replace the simple syrup with demerara syrup for richer brown sugar flavor.
• Lower-proof version: Use a lower-proof bourbon and serve over a large cube for a softer drink.

Keep the chocolate bitters and toasted marshmallow in place if you want the cocktail to remain clearly tied to its s’mores theme.

When to Serve and Pairings

The S’mores Old Fashioned is especially good when cooler weather arrives. Its bourbon base, chocolate notes, and toasted garnish make it a natural choice for fall and winter gatherings.

It can also work as a dessert cocktail after dinner, especially when you want something sweet but not creamy.

Try serving it with:

• Brownies or chocolate cake
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Graham crackers
• Salted caramel desserts
• Vanilla ice cream
• Roasted nuts
• Bread pudding

For a small cocktail menu, pair it with a Almond Old Fashioned, Dubai Chocolate Martini, or Maple Old Fashioned so guests can choose between classic, sweet, and dessert-inspired options.

I especially like this drink after a casual dinner when dessert feels like too much but you still want something sweet to finish the night.

Storage and Serving Notes

This cocktail is best stirred and served fresh, especially because the toasted marshmallow garnish is much better when warm.

You can, however, combine the bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and chocolate bitters ahead of time if you are serving several guests. Keep the mixture covered and refrigerated until needed.

Do not add ice until you are ready to stir and serve. Adding ice too early will dilute the cocktail.

Toast the marshmallows shortly before serving. They can become sticky or lose their roasted texture if prepared too far in advance.

For several guests, multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. Measure carefully since the simple syrup adds up quickly in a larger batch.

FAQs

Here are a few common questions about making a S’mores Old Fashioned at home.

Is a S’mores Old Fashioned very sweet?

It is sweeter than a traditional Old Fashioned because it contains 0.75 oz of simple syrup. The chocolate bitters and bourbon help balance that sweetness, but this is still meant to lean toward a dessert-style cocktail.

What bourbon works best in a S’mores Old Fashioned?

A bourbon with caramel, vanilla, oak, or baking spice notes works well. Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, and Old Forester are all good options.

Can I use regular chocolate syrup instead of chocolate bitters?

Chocolate syrup is much sweeter and thicker than chocolate bitters, so it will change the drink considerably. Chocolate or cocoa bitters are the better choice if you want to keep the intended balance.

How should I toast the marshmallow?

You can toast it carefully with a kitchen torch. Let any flame go out completely before placing the marshmallow near the cocktail. Keep open flames away from the alcohol and the glass.

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?

You can combine the liquid ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate them. Stir each serving with ice before pouring it into a rocks glass, then add a freshly toasted marshmallow.

Can I use rye instead of bourbon?

Yes. Rye gives the cocktail more spice and usually makes the finish feel a little less sweet. It is a good option if bourbon-based dessert cocktails tend to taste too soft for you.

More Cocktails to Try

If you like the S’mores Old Fashioned, there are plenty of other whiskey and dessert-inspired cocktails that fit a similar mood.

• Blueberry Old Fashioned
• Chocolate Manhattan
• Balboa
• Chocolate Mint Julep
• Caramel Apple Manhattan

Each one gives you a different way to work with whiskey, chocolate, sweetness, or classic cocktail flavors while keeping the recipes approachable for home bartending.