This is a peanut butter whiskey riff on the Old Fashioned — two ounces of Skrewball, a quarter ounce of rich demerara syrup, and two dashes of Angostura bitters, stirred and served over a big ice cube. It comes together in five minutes, which makes it just as practical for a quiet Tuesday night as it is for setting out a batch at a dinner party. The flavor is nutty and a little sweet, with enough bitterness to keep it from tasting like dessert.
Why this recipe works
Two things matter here. First, the syrup ratio: using a 2:1 demerara syrup instead of a standard simple syrup means you’re adding less liquid to reach the same sweetness, so the cocktail stays concentrated and doesn’t go watery fast. The molasses edge in demerara also plays well against Skrewball’s roasted-peanut notes in a way plain white sugar doesn’t. Second, stirring rather than shaking is what gives this drink its smooth, slightly silky texture — shaking would aerate it and dilute it too quickly, and you’d lose the clean, round mouthfeel that makes an Old Fashioned worth drinking slowly.
Troubleshooting
- Drink tastes flat or one-dimensional: You probably under-stirred. Twenty seconds isn’t always enough depending on your ice temperature — go a full 30 seconds and taste. Proper dilution is what opens up the flavors, not a flaw to avoid.
- Too sweet even with the right measurements: Skrewball varies slightly batch to batch, and some bottles run sweeter. Add a third dash of bitters to rebalance rather than diluting with more ice.
- Ice melts too fast and waters it down quickly: Standard ice cubes have too much surface area. If you don’t have a large format mold, use the biggest cubes your freezer tray makes, or serve the drink straight up in a chilled glass instead.
- Orange peel has no aroma when expressed: The peel is too old or was refrigerated too long. Use a fresh orange and peel it right before serving — the oils dissipate quickly once cut.
- Bitters clump or don’t incorporate: Add the bitters directly to the mixing glass before the ice goes in and give a quick stir. They’ll distribute evenly through the syrup and whiskey before dilution starts.
Smart swaps
- Demerara syrup: If you only have regular simple syrup on hand, it works, but the drink will taste noticeably flatter. A small pinch of brown sugar stirred in with plain syrup gets you closer to the molasses depth. Our simple syrup guide covers the 2:1 method if you want to make a batch ahead.
- Angostura bitters: These are the standard and the right call here. Orange bitters are a reasonable swap if that’s what you have — the drink skews brighter and less herbal, which some people prefer.
- Luxardo cherry: Skip the garnish — not worth the extra dish. The orange peel does the real aromatic work; the cherry is purely visual and adds nothing to the flavor once it’s sitting in the glass.
- Skrewball itself: If peanut allergies are a concern, a chocolate-infused bourbon keeps a similar richness and sweetness without the nut profile. The bitters and demerara ratios stay the same.
Skrewball Old Fashioned
Equipment
- Rocks Glass
- Jigger
- Bar spoon
- Peeler or paring knife
Ingredients
- 2 oz Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey preferably chilled
- 0.25 oz simple syrup use rich (2:1) demerara syrup for depth
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters Angostura bitters recommended
- 1 piece orange peel fresh, for garnish
- 1 piece luxardo cherry optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by chilling a rocks glass. You can do this by filling it with ice and letting it sit while you prepare the drink.
- In a separate mixing glass, add 2 oz of Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, 0.25 oz of rich demerara syrup, and 2 dashes of aromatic bitters.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for about 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. You’re looking for a silky texture when strained.
- Dump the ice from your rocks glass and strain the cocktail over a large clear ice cube for presentation and slow dilution.
- Express an orange peel over the drink by holding it over the glass and giving it a firm twist to release the oils, then rub it around the rim and drop it in as garnish.
- Optional: Add a Luxardo cherry for a touch of elegance and color contrast.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, replace Skrewball with a chocolate-infused bourbon for a similarly rich mouthfeel.
- Use clear, slow-melting ice for a refined appearance and slower dilution.
- If sugar syrup is unavailable, you can muddle a sugar cube with the bitters — though this introduces a slightly different texture.
- Try adding a single dash of chocolate bitters for a dessert-leaning variation.
Nutrition
Your questions, answered
Can I make a big batch of this ahead of time for a party?
Yes — stir together the whiskey, demerara syrup, and bitters in a pitcher or jar and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Leave out the ice when batching; pour over ice in individual glasses right before serving so each drink dilutes properly.
Does Skrewball actually taste like peanut butter or is it overwhelming?
It’s noticeable but not candy-level. The peanut butter flavor reads more like roasted nuts than a PB&J sandwich, especially once the bitters and citrus are in the glass. People who don’t normally like flavored whiskey are often surprised by how much they like this drink.
Do I need a mixing glass, or can I build this directly in the rocks glass?
You can build it in the rocks glass in a pinch, but you’ll get uneven dilution and a less consistent texture. A pint glass works as a mixing glass if you don’t own a dedicated one.
What if I don’t have demerara sugar to make the syrup?
Regular simple syrup works as a direct substitute in the same quantity. For closer results, use raw or turbinado sugar when making your syrup — both have a mild molasses note that plain white sugar lacks.
Is this drink very strong? What’s the alcohol content roughly?
Skrewball is 35% ABV, which is lower than standard bourbon or rye at 40–50%, so this Old Fashioned is actually a bit lighter than the classic version. Two ounces at that proof, with dilution from stirring, makes it a moderate drink.
Can I make this without bitters if I don’t have any?
You can, but the drink will taste noticeably sweeter and less interesting — bitters are doing real structural work here, not just finishing. A very small splash of plain soda water won’t replicate them, but it adds a little dryness if you’re stuck.
