Kelly Wearstler's Christmas cocktail recipe – an Old Fashioned with a twist

If you're looking for a Christmas cocktail recipe with a difference, you'll love renowned interior designer Kelly Wearstler's take on the Old Fashioned. One to add to your list of Christmas recipes, we think.

'A taste of the historied Oaxacan hillside, richly spiced with chai, maple, chocolate and burnt rosemary, this Old Fashioned is perfect for a spirited toast to darkening days and the mysteries of life,' says Kelly Wearstler.

'Infuse a bottle of Madre Mezcal with chai teabags for 12 hours. Drip 5oz maple syrup into a mixing glass then pour 0.5oz of the Madre infusion on top followed by three dashes of chocolate bitters.'

Christmas cocktail recipe – an Old Fashioned by Kelly Wearstler

You will need: 

Many of the decorative items shown below are on sale at Kelly Wearstler, or of course, you can use what you already have at home. 

• Madre Mezcal 
• Chai teabags 
• Maple syrup 
• Chocolate bitters 
• Rosemary method

Method:  

1. To make the Madre infusion, infuse a bottle of Madre Mezcal with chai teabags for 12 hours 

2. Drip 5oz maple syrup into a mixing glass then pour 0.5oz of the Madre infusion on top followed by three dashes of chocolate bitters. 

3. Add ice three quarters of the way up and stir 

4. Light a sprig of rosemary and top with a rocks glass to capture the smoke inside.

5. Toss two cubes into the smoke-filled glass and strain the mixed drink over top.

6. Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary and a dash of soulful luminescence.

What is the recipe for a traditional Old Fashioned?

The recipe for a traditional Old Fashioned is as follows:

1. Mix one teaspoon of sugar (or two of sugar syrup) with a dash of water and two splashes of Angostura bitters until the sugar has dissolved. 

2. Add ice and 60ml of bourbon to the glass and stir. Optional: add a splash of soda water now. 

3. An Old Fashioned usually has a garnish of an orange slice – fresh is fine but we love to dry orange slices for really concentrated, festive flavor.