A seasonal twist on the classic whiskey co*cktail, the Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned is a perfect co*cktail for a chilly night. Toasted pecans soak in whiskey for days before the infused alcohol is combined with sugar and bitters to make a homemade Old Fashioned. This infused whiskey makes enough for 6 old fashioneds.
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Love a whiskey drink? Don’t missKentucky Mule,Sparkling Bourbon Pumpkin Apple Cider Punch andStrawberry Old Fashioned!
Y’all should know by now I’m kind of into whiskey and bourbon. (For evidence of this, check out this Whiskey co*cktails Recipe Index.)
I love it in baked goods, like Bourbon Pecan Brownies. I love it in drinks, like Blueberry Mint Juleps and Busted Pipe (Bourbon Amaro co*cktail)!
And I especially love it around this time of year becauseI can mix it with a favorite drink to make myself and those I love warm and cozy.
Why I love this recipe:
This Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned was inspired by my infused Candy Cane Vodka.
Candy Cane Vodka is one of my recipes thatexplodes this time of year, and since it’s gone over so well (and deliciously—I keep a mason jar of it on our bar during winter months to mix with coffee, hot cocoa and more!), I wanted to make something similar.
When my friend Susannahsuggested making an infused whiskey, I knew it needed to be done.
The answer came in the form of holiday inspiration. Specifically, the Bourbon Pecan Pie that I bring to Thanksgiving every year.
So I toasted pecans, let them cool and threw them in a jar of whiskey. Then I let ’em hang out for a few days. And when they were complete, I opened the jar and made Old Fashioneds.
The end result is delightful!
If you’re in the market for the classic co*cktail, check out this Old-Fashioned Drink.
Other ways to use bourbon and whiskey in recipes: Bourbon Butter Sweet Potatoes Spiced Apple / Blizzard Bourbon Cranberry co*cktail /Upside Down Cake with Bourbon Caramel Glaze / Bourbon Maple Bacon Cupcakes /Boozy Bacon Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars
Looking to mix a unique co*cktail? My co*cktail Recipe Index has tons of inspiration for you!
What do I need to make a Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned?
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- You’ll definitely need a mason jar. If you’re making this infused bourbon as a gift, consider ordering a personalized mason jar.
- A jigger or an angled measuring cup
- Muddler
- Sphere ice molds
In addition to those tools, you’ll also need…
- Pecans—halves or pieces work here, so use whatever you’ve got.
- Your favorite bourbon or whiskey—please, please, please make it something drinkable, though, because you’re obviously going to taste this in the drink.
- Angostura bitters
- Sugar cubes or turbinado sugar
How to make a Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned
Infuse the Whiskey
Preheat the oven, and place the pecans on a baking sheet.
Transfer the pecans to the oven and toast for 5-10 minutes… or until browned and fragrant.
Please keep an eye on the pecans as you’re toasting them. You’ll have to start over if they burn because the burnt pecans will give the whiskey an acrid taste.
When they’re toasted, remove ’em from the oven, and let them cool completely.
Once cool, transfer to a mason jar, and pour the whiskey on top.
Let the whiskey infuse for 3-4 days.
When done, remove the pecans from the whiskey and throw them out. If the pecans stay in the whiskey longer, you’ll run the risk of them drying out the whiskey, and we don’t want that to happen.
Make a Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned
In an Old Fashioned glass or a rocks glass, measure the sugar cube (or the sugar) and dash in the Angostura bitters.
Use a muddler to break down the sugar, as well as combine it with the bitters. Be sure to coat the sides of the glass as you do this!
Place whiskey stones or a large ice cube inside the glass, then pour the Toasted Pecan Whiskey over the cubes.
Swirl the contents of the glass to mix, and enjoy immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned taste like?
The co*cktailis slightly smoky and sweet, the toasted pecan taste really taking shape as you swallow the whiskey. There’s a subtle vanilla taste, too. While theToasted Pecan Old Fashioned is strong, it goes down smoothly.
It shouldnot give you dry mouth. Taste your pecans before infusing to ensure they’re A-OK, then follow the instructions below, infusing for the same amount of time. No more, no less.
I don’t like pecans. Can I use another nut instead?
SURE! I’m partial to pairing whiskey/bourbon with pecans (hello,Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Hand Pies,Vegan Bourbon Pecan Milk Punch,Bourbon Pecan Browniesand more…), but if you’re not a fan, feel free to pair this with another nut of choice.
I think it would be delicious infused with toasted walnuts or even cashews!
If you give this a try, let me know what you used and what you think of the end result!
Where do I leave the whiskey to infuse?
We’ve always left ours on the countertop or in a cold/dry place in the kitchen. You do not need to put your jar of infused whiskey in the fridge.
Does this sound like something you’d like to try? (If you like bourbon/whiskey and strong drinks, this should be RIGHT up your alley!)
If so, scroll on down to learn how to make this goodness foryourself, your friends and family this winter…
Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned
Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
A seasonal twist on the classic whiskey co*cktail, the Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned is a perfect co*cktail for a chilly winter night. Toasted pecans soak in whiskey for days before the infused alcohol is poured atop a sugar and bitter mixture to make an Old Fashioned.
4.53 from 57 votes
Servings 1 co*cktail
Calories 262 kcal
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Infusion Time 3 days d
Total Time 3 days d 25 minutes mins
Ingredients
Toasted Pecan Whiskey (Makes enough for SIX drinks)
- ½ cup pecans toasted
- 1 ½ cups whiskey a good drinking one!
Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned
- 1 sugar cube or ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 oz. Toasted Pecan Whiskey recipe above
- Spherical ice cube
Equipment
Sugar cubes
Angostura bitters
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Instructions
Make the Toasted Pecan Whiskey
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Place the pecans on a baking sheet. Transfer to the preheated oven.
Toast the pecans for 5-10 minutes or until browned and fragrant. (Keep an eye on them, as you could potentially burn them if not paying attention!)
Remove from the oven, and let cool to room temperature.
Transfer the cooled pecans to a mason jar, and pour the whiskey on top of them.
Let the whiskey infuse for 3-4 days. (Don't go any longer than 4 days, as the pecans could dry the whiskey out.)
Make the Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned
In an Old Fashioned or your favorite whiskey glass, measure the sugar cube/loose sugar and dash in the Angostura bitters.
Use a muddler to break down the sugar cube and combine it with the bitters, coating the sides of the glass as the sugar and bitters mix.
Place a large ice cube (or whiskey stones) in the glass. Pour the Toasted Pecan Whiskey over it, swirling it to mix with the bitters and sugar mixture.
Enjoy immediately!
Notes
The infused pecan whiskey will make enough for 6 total co*cktails. The Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned recipe is for a single drink, though, so you can easily make more.
Nutrition
Serving: 1drinkCalories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFiber: 1gSugar: 5g
Keyword bourbon, bourbon co*cktail, bourbon drink, Christmas drink, drink, drink recipe, fall drink, infused alcohol, pecan, whiskey, winter drink
Course Drinks & co*cktails
Cuisine American
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