Cherry Rum Old-Fashioned

Old Fashioned & Riffs • April 09, 2026

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Curiada Ingredients

Directions

Add ice to mixing glass
Add all ingredients to mixing glass
Stir well with ice
Fill rocks glass with fresh ice
Strain mixture into ice-filled rocks glass
Express orange zest twist over drink
Garnish with orange zest twist

Cocktail Description

This isn't your grandfather's Old-Fashioned—it's a sun-soaked Caribbean reimagining that swaps bourbon for aged Jamaican rum and adds a Spanish fino sherry twist.

The Appleton Estate 8 Year brings warm oak and molasses notes that mingle beautifully with the nutty, bone-dry Valdespino fino sherry, while Heering cherry liqueur adds just enough fruit-forward sweetness to balance the drink without turning it into dessert. Both Angostura aromatic and orange bitters tie everything together with their spice-driven complexity, creating layers of flavor that unfold with each sip. The result tastes like a classic Old-Fashioned that spent a month in Andalusia before island-hopping through Jamaica—rich, sophisticated, and delightfully complex. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something contemplative and slow-sipping, whether you're unwinding after a long week or impressing guests at a dinner party. The stirred preparation makes it blissfully simple to execute, requiring nothing more than a good stir and proper chilling. Pair this with charcuterie, aged manchego, or grilled pork tenderloin with a cherry gastrique, and you've got yourself a winning combination that plays beautifully with both the rum's richness and the sherry's savory backbone.