If you’re craving a cocktail that feels like a warm hug wrapped in autumn magic, you’re going to want to try my Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe. It’s this enchanting twist on the classic Old Fashioned that brings cozy spices, honeyed sweetness, and a touch of fall whimsy all into one glass. Trust me, once you taste this, it’ll become your go-to for chilly evenings or those Halloween gatherings where you want to impress without fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Spice Blend: The combination of rosemary, cinnamon, and star anise adds depth you won’t find in a typical Old Fashioned.
- Honey Syrup Sweetness: Using a homemade spiced honey syrup gives it a natural sweetness that feels cozy and indulgent.
- Perfect for Fall: It’s a seasonal sipper that’s just right for crisp nights and Halloween parties.
- Easy to Customize: Whether you want it boozy or not, you can tailor it easily to your mood or guests’ preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together so beautifully, creating a cocktail that’s spicy, sweet, and just downright inviting. Choosing fresh rosemary and quality bourbon really elevates this drink. Plus, apple or pumpkin butter adds a cozy autumn flavor that’s impossible to resist.
- Honey: The base of your sweet syrup; I love used raw or wildflower honey for a richer flavor.
- Fresh rosemary: Adds an herbal note that makes this Old Fashioned delightfully unique.
- Cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon: A must for warming spice, especially with cinnamon sticks for garnish.
- Star anise (optional): This is my secret touch for a subtle licorice aroma—feel free to skip if you’re not a fan.
- Bourbon: The heart of the drink, choose your favorite brand for a smooth finish.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed balances the sweetness perfectly — no bottled lemon juice here!
- Apple butter or pumpkin butter: Adds that cozy, seasonal vibe and a touch of richness.
- Orange bitters: Just a few dashes bring complexity and brighten the drink.
- Honey syrup: Our homemade spiced honey syrup, making every sip silky and sweet.
- Ginger beer (optional): If you like a little fizz, I sometimes top mine with this for some zing.
Variations
I love tweaking this recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m serving. It’s one of those cocktails that welcomes your creativity — so don’t hesitate to play with it and make it yours!
- Mocktail Version: When I want something alcohol-free, I skip the bourbon and add apple cider with a splash of vanilla extract. It’s surprisingly festive and delicious.
- Pumpkin Spice Twist: Swap the apple butter for pumpkin butter to bring out that autumn vibe even more — especially around Halloween.
- Spicy Heat: Adding a tiny pinch of cayenne to the honey syrup gave my guests a fun spicy surprise that warmed things up nicely.
- Ginger Beer Fizz: Try topping your drink with ginger beer for a sparkling finish that adds a refreshing zing.
How to Make Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Spiced Honey Syrup
Start by combining water, honey, fresh rosemary, cinnamon sticks, and star anise (if you’re using it) in a medium saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat and let it boil for about 2-3 minutes — just enough time to infuse all those lovely spices. Then, take it off the heat and let it cool completely. This syrup is a game-changer and keeps well in the fridge for about a week! I usually make a batch in advance so I can whip up drinks anytime.
Step 2: Rim Your Glass
I like to rim my glass with a spicy cinnamon sugar mix. It’s super easy to make: just combine cinnamon and sugar on a small plate, then rub the rim of your glass with a lemon wedge and dip it into the cinnamon sugar. This little step adds an irresistible first taste with every sip, and it’s such a fun way to elevate your drink presentation.
Step 3: Shake Things Up
Grab your cocktail shaker and combine 2-3 tablespoons of your spiced honey syrup, bourbon, fresh lemon juice, apple or pumpkin butter, and dashes of orange bitters. Add a good handful of ice and shake like you mean it — about 15 seconds until well chilled. This step blends all the flavors perfectly and chills the cocktail just right.
Step 4: Strain and Garnish
Strain your cocktail into the cinnamon sugar-rimmed glass. I love using an old-fashioned glass for this, but a coupe works too. Add a cinnamon stick on top for garnish — it’s both pretty and adds a little extra aroma as you enjoy your drink. If you’re feeling fancy or want a touch of fizz, top it off with a splash of ginger beer. Cheers to that!
Pro Tips for Making Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe
- Make Syrup Ahead: I always make the spiced honey syrup days in advance — it tastes even better after resting and saves prep time when guests arrive.
- Balance Your Sweetness: If your honey syrup is super sweet, cut back a little on the amount in the shaker. Taste as you go!
- Don’t Skip Fresh Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens this cocktail and balances the richness; bottled just doesn’t do the same.
- Avoid Over-Shaking: Shake just enough to combine and chill; overdoing it can water down your drink with melting ice.
How to Serve Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe
Garnishes
My go-to garnish is a cinnamon stick because it adds a rustic, festive touch and softly infuses additional cinnamon scent as you sip. Sometimes I add a fresh rosemary sprig for a pop of green that also releases a refreshing herbal aroma. If you want to get fun, a thin lemon twist brightens the look and adds a citrusy aroma as well.
Side Dishes
This cocktail pairs beautifully with fall-inspired savory snacks like roasted spiced nuts, sharp cheese plates with quince paste, or even cozy pumpkin soup. For my last Halloween party, I served it alongside roasted butternut squash crostini — the combo was a total hit.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, I’ve served the Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned in mini pumpkins hollowed out as “glasses” at Halloween parties. Another time, I rimmed the glass with a mix of crushed graham crackers and cinnamon sugar for a fun, unexpected twist. Floating a whole star anise on top also adds a spooky, elegant vibe perfect for magical nights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to make extra spiced honey syrup (which I recommend), store it in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge. It stays fresh for about a week. As for the cocktail, it’s best served fresh, but you can keep any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a day without losing too much magic.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze this cocktail because the texture and spices get a bit muddled. But if you want to prepare a batch of just the honey syrup, it freezes well in ice cube trays — perfect for making future cocktails without thawing the whole batch.
Reheating
This cocktail shines best chilled and isn’t intended for reheating. However, if you want a warm drink inspired by the Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned, gently heat a version without bourbon and spice it up like a toddy with hot water or cider. It’s a wonderful cozy alternative.
FAQs
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Can I make the Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe without alcohol?
Absolutely! You can skip the bourbon altogether and replace it with apple cider or sparkling apple cider along with a splash of vanilla extract. This creates a delicious, festive mocktail with all the cozy flavors intact.
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How long can I store the spiced honey syrup?
The syrup will keep in an airtight container in your fridge for up to one week. I recommend making a batch ahead so you have it ready whenever you want to whip up a Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned.
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Can I use other spices instead of star anise?
Yes! While star anise gives a lovely licorice undertone, you can substitute with cloves or allspice for a different spiced profile. Just be mindful of the potency—start with a small amount.
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What’s the best way to rim the glass?
Rub a lemon wedge around the rim to moisten it, then dip it into a plate of cinnamon sugar. This sticks well and adds a sweet, spicy flavor right from the first sip.
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Can I make the Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe in large batches?
Yes! Make a big batch of the spiced honey syrup ahead of time, then mix the rest of the ingredients in a pitcher just before serving. Keep it chilled and stir before pouring over ice.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe manages to be both nostalgic and new, cozy and festive, simple and special all at once. When I first tried this, it instantly became a fall favorite in my house — even the skeptics couldn’t get enough! If you want a cocktail that’s packed with warm spices, natural sweetness, and that unmistakable autumn vibe, you really have to give this one a whirl. I promise, it’s the kind of drink that feels like magic in a glass and will have your friends asking for the recipe all season long.
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Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
The Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned is a cozy, spiced cocktail perfect for chilly autumn nights. Combining bourbon with a homemade spiced honey syrup infused with rosemary, cinnamon, and optional star anise, alongside apple or pumpkin butter and a touch of citrus, this drink balances sweetness, warmth, and a touch of magic. Garnished with cinnamon sticks and optionally topped with ginger beer for fizz, it’s a whimsical yet simple concoction that elevates the classic Old Fashioned with seasonal flavors.
Ingredients
Spiced Honey Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- Star anise (optional)
Cocktail
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple butter or pumpkin butter
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) honey syrup (from above)
- Ginger beer, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Spiced Honey Syrup: In a medium pot, combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup honey, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon), and star anise if using. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then let it boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely. This syrup is enough for about 6 drinks.
- Prepare Your Glass: Rim your serving glass with spicy cinnamon sugar to add an extra layer of flavor and a festive touch.
- Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, add 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled honey syrup, 2 ounces bourbon, 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple or pumpkin butter, and 1-2 dashes orange bitters. Fill the shaker with ice, then shake vigorously to combine and chill the ingredients.
- Serve the Drink: Strain the cocktail mixture into your prepared glass. Garnish with cinnamon sticks for aroma and style. Optionally, top with a splash of ginger beer for a fizzy finish.
- To Make a Mocktail: Omit the bourbon. Replace it with 1 tablespoon apple cider or sparkling apple cider and add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Shake with ice and serve similarly.
Notes
- Spooky yet whimsical – magical, spicy, sweet, and simple… a cozy cocktail perfect for chilly autumn nights.
- Rimming the glass with spicy cinnamon sugar adds a festive and flavorful touch.
- The spiced honey syrup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to a week and can be used in other cocktails or teas.
- Adjust the amount of honey syrup to taste depending on your preferred sweetness level.
- The option to top with ginger beer adds a refreshing and lightly fizzy element but is entirely optional.
- The mocktail version provides a delightful non-alcoholic alternative while maintaining the autumn-inspired flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 246 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
