This stout old fashioned blends well-aged scotch whisky with a rich, malty stout syrup for a cocktail worthy of the most venerable hobbit in the Shire! It’s the perfect pour alongside our warm rarebit dip with seasoned breadsticks for a light snack at the local pub.
This recipe is featured in our A Feast at The Green Dragon cookbook – coming soon!
At a Glance: Stout Old Fashioned
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minute
- Total Time: ~25 minutes
- Servings: 1 serving
- Flavour: Deep malt flavours, smooth scotch, hints of caramel and nutmeg
- Skill Level: Easy
- Why this Works: This old fashioned pairs smooth scotch with the robust malty flavour of stout and caramel sweetness of demerara sugar for a delicious tipple that’s perfect to sip after a hearty hobbit-inspired meal.
A Feast at the Green Dragon
As night settles over the Shire, the hobbits slowly begin to make their way to their favourite watering hole – The Green Dragon Inn. A warm fire is roaring in the hearth while the weathered beams and polished wooden tables gleam in the golden lantern light. With the day’s work over and only the long night ahead, the hobbits eagerly gather for a hearty meal, lively conversation, and pint of their favourite brew. The bustling kitchen at The Green Dragon is busy churning out hearty meals and tasty snacks to satisfy the hungriest hobbit while the barkeep hurries to keep the glasses filled. Whether you’re a local hobbit seeking friendly conversation or a lonely traveller looking for a warm meal and bed, you’re sure to find both in the cheerful hospitality of The Green Dragon.
The Old Took’s Stout Old Fashioned
Inspired by Bilbo Baggins’ grandfather, Gerontius Took, this stout flavoured old fashioned pairs the complex flavours of a well aged scotch with the dark, malty bitterness of a rich stout. Reaching the age of 130 years old Gerontius, also known as the Old Took, was the third longest living hobbit after Bilbo and Frodo. We can certainly imagine the Old Took, in his retiring years, taking up a regular seat in The Green Dragon and raising a glass with his friends and neighbours. With a blend of scotch whisky and stout beer, this old fashioned might very well have been a favourite of the Old Took.
To capture that malty flavour of stout, the beer is first reduced and then blended with demerara sugar to make a simple syrup. The hint of molasses in the demerara brings out the caramel notes in the stout and adds a depth of flavour to the cocktail while a dash of whisky barrel-aged bitters balances the sweetness. As a nod to that quintessential frothy head on a well-pulled stout, the old fashioned is topped with a frothy stout foam before adding a dusting of fresh nutmeg.
Ingredients for Stout Old Fashioned
Stout: This old fashioned gets its stout flavour from a rich syrup and foamy topping. I used Guinness but any stout will work in this recipe.
Whiskey: The key ingredient in an old fashioned is whiskey. As there are few other ingredients, the flavour of the whiskey will definitely stand out. So it is important to select a good one. I like using a single malt scotch that I would happily drink neat. In this case I would also avoid choosing a scotch that has a strong peat flavour which may overpower the caramel notes of the stout.
Bitters: Aromatic bitters are used to add depth of flavour and of course a hint of bitterness in cocktails. I used a whiskey barrel-aged bitters in this cocktail.
Demerara sugar: I recommend using either demerara or brown sugar for the syrup. Demerara is a light brown sugar made from cane sugar with a slight molasses flavour which pairs beautifully with the caramel notes in the stout. If you don’t have demerara then brown sugar will work just as well.
Nutmeg: A sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg adds an aromatic finish to this cocktail. If possible, use a rasp to grate whole nutmeg over the cocktail which will give the best flavour. If you don’t have whole nutmeg, then you can use a pinch of ground nutmeg instead.
The Perfect Old Fashioned
This classic cocktail is arguably the most famous whisky cocktail and has been around since the 19th century. With just a handful of ingredients it’s not surprising that it has stood the test of time. Traditionally an old fashioned is made by muddling sugar and bitters in a glass before topping with whisky, or bourbon, and serving over ice. The classic garnish is either an orange peel or maraschino cherry. As delicious as a classic old fashioned is, it is also the perfect canvas to add a variety of interesting flavours. Here are two more of our favourite old fashioned recipes.
- Smoked Cinnamon Old Fashioned – This smoke infused cocktail takes inspiration from Gandalf the Grey and his smoking pipe. With a hint of spice and smoky undertones, this autumn-inspired smoked cinnamon old fashioned is the perfect tipple for a cool fall evening before a roaring fire.
- Burnt Honey Old Fashioned – Inspired by Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman, this burnt honey old fashioned pairs whisky with burnt honey and a dash of orange bitters, making it the perfect stiff drink to gather your courage and face the fearsome ghost!
How to Make Old Took’s Stout Old Fashioned
1. Make the syrup
Add the stout to a medium saucepan and place over medium high heat. Bring the stout to a light boil before reducing the heat to a simmer. Keep an eye on the stout in the beginning as it can begin to foam over if it boils too vigourously. Use a ladle to skim off any excess foam. As the stout begins to reduce, the foam should subside. Continue simmering until the stout has been reduced to 1 cup, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Once the stout has reduced, add the demerara sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool before using. The syrup will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
2. Make the cocktail
Prepare a short rocks glass by adding ice and set aside. Add several ice cubes to a cocktail shaker and top with the scotch whisky, the stout demerara syrup, and the bitters. Use a cocktail spoon to stir the mixture for 5 to 10 seconds. Strain over the ice in the rocks glass.
3. Make the foam
Add the stout to a tall glass. Use a milk frother to create a thick foam. If you don’t have a milk frother you can add the stout to a small bowl and use a whisk to create a foam. The foam won’t be as thick as with the milk frother but it should still work. Spoon a layer of the stout foam on top of the cocktail.
4. Serve the Stout Old Fashioned
Use a rasp to grate fresh nutmeg over the cocktail and enjoy!
More Pub Recipes from the Green dragon
- Warm Rarebit Dip with Seasoned Breadsticks
- Toad in the Hole with Cider Onion gravy
- Beer-Battered Fish and Chips
- Scotch Eggs
- Cheese, Onion, and Potato Hand Pies
- Gardener’s Pie with Root Vegetable Mash
- Browned Butter and Ale Pudding
