Kansas City Old Fashioned (Cherry Old Fashioned)

Taylor Swift might’ve known from the first Old Fashioned we were cursed, but that was before she tried this.

In honor of Travis Kelce and the Chiefs going to the Super Bowl, I’ve reimagined one of Taylor’s favorite drinks and made the Kansas City Old Fashioned. 

It’s deep, lightly fruity, and stunning with a red and gold hue.

But the best part? The BBQ spice rub on the rim. 

Yes, really!

What Is a Classic Old Fashioned?

If you’re a fan of frozen fruity drinks or something like a passion fruit martini, you might not be familiar with the Old Fashioned. 

Or maybe you think it’s something your dad drinks with his buddies and a cigar. 

But that’s so not the case. 

In fact, did you know that the Old Fashioned used to be Taylor Swift’s favorite drink?

It’s true! But what is it exactly?

The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail known for its simplicity and depth of flavor. 

Traditionally, it features a sugar cube (or simple syrup), Angostura bitters, and a good-quality bourbon or rye whiskey. 

It’s usually garnished with an orange twist or a cherry (or both).

It’s bitter, sweet, and complex. Oh, and strong!

You’ll often see it served with a large ice cube in a rocks glass - a short, round, tumbler-like glass also known as an Old Fashioned glass.

Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Old Fashioned

The Kansas City Old Fashioned is the love child of the Horsefeather cocktail and the Old Fashioned.

The Horsefeather is Kansas City’s signature cocktail, featuring rye whiskey, bitters, lemon juice, and ginger beer. 

And it’s super yummy! But I wanted something red and gold for the Chiefs! Hence this mash-up.

When I first made this fun drink, I used cherry bourbon. Red Stag by Jim Beam, to be precise.

But it didn’t have enough cherry flavor for me, and the color was too pale.

I wanted this to be crimson red! And it’s a cherry Old Fashioned so that fruity flavor needed to be stronger.

So, I modified the recipe with cherry red liqueur. Not only does it boost the flavor, but it gives it such a pretty hue.

Ingredients

A regular Old Fashioned calls for whiskey or bourbon, sugar, bitters, and (sometimes) water. I prefer it with bourbon because I like things sweet. But feel free to use your go-to whiskey.

And since this recipe has cherry in the mix, I think you’d be OK with a less sweet whiskey. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Rieger’s Kansas City Whiskey - This brand is “a blend of straight bourbon whiskey, light corn whiskey, and straight rye whiskey.” It adds depth, warmth, and complexity. You’ll notice rich flavor with vanilla, caramel, and oak notes.
• Cherry Liqueur - Brings fruity sweetness and vibrant color.
• Fresh Lemon Juice - To balance the sweetness with acidity. It also cuts through the rich bourbon and lifts the flavors. 
• Maple Syrup - A natural sweetener, it’ll add smooth, rich sweetness and enhance the caramel in the bourbon.
• Angostura Bitters - For complexity and depth of flavor. It also brings a lovely layer of spice.
• Ginger Ale (Optional) - This is not a typical Old Fashioned ingredient. But it brings a few pleasant bubbles and helps to mellow out the booze. You just need a splash for serving, but that kick of sweetness and spice makes this one tasty drink!
• Garnish -  Cherry and/or Lemon Twist for color and aroma. And if you want to get really fancy, you can use gold leaf-dipped cherries!
• Rim - Here’s where it gets fun! You’ll add BBQ spice rub to the rim of the glass. Like Tajin in a margarita, it really brings this drink to life.

How to Make a Super Bowl-Worthy Kansas City Old Fashioned

I like to make my own BBQ spice because it lets me control the flavor. But if you just want to grab some from the store, that’s fine too!

Just be sure to get a decent brand that includes brown sugar and smoked paprika. 

Here’s how I make a Travis Kelce-inspired Old Fashioned:

1. Mix the celery salt, smoked paprika, freshly cracked black pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili in a small bowl. Then, pour it onto a small plate and set aside.
2. Fill a rocks glass with ice and water. Set aside.
3. Grab a mixing glass and half-fill it with ice. 
4. Pour the bourbon, cherry liqueur, lemon juice, maple syrup, and Angostura bitters over the ice. 
5. Stir gently to blend the ingredients and chill the drink.
6. Pour the ice water out of the rocks glass. Run a lemon wedge around the rim and dip it into the BBQ spice.
7. Add fresh ice to the glass and strain the drink over the ice. Top the glass up with ginger ale, if using.
8. Serve with a cherry and a lemon twist. Twist the lemon peel over the glass to express the oils and enhance the aroma.

The Best Whiskey for A Kansas City Old Fashioned

Since this is an ode to the Chiefs, I chose Rieger’s Kansas City Whiskey. It’s a whiskey bourbon blend, and it’s made in Kansas City. So, of course, it’s my top choice!

That said, you might not be able to find it where you live. So, I have a few alternatives.

Cherry Flavored Whiskey:

• Bird Dog Black Cherry Whiskey - a Kentucky bourbon with honey and oak flavors and a delightful dark cherry taste.
• Continental Cherry Whiskey - a small batch American whiskey flavored with premium dried cherries.
• Traverse City American Cherry Whiskey - made in the “cherry capital of the world.” It’s smooth and not overly sweet.

Whiskey and Bourbon Options

• Bulleit Bourbon - the high rye content makes this less sweet and kind of spicy. That plays nicely with the sweetness from the cherry.
• Knob Creek - strong and boozy, you’ll find this everywhere. It’s got a pleasant blend of caramel, vanilla, and nuts. And there’s a hint of smokiness that’ll be great with the BBQ spice rim.
• Elijah Craig Small Batch - this is my go-to bourbon for an Old Fashioned. It’s sweet, spiced, and smooth.

Recipe Variations

My Kansas City Old Fashioned recipe is a beautiful blend of warmth, sweetness, spice, and citrus. And with the BBQ spice rim, it has an intriguing smoky and savory twist in every sip.

I think it’s the perfect drink to enjoy during the Super Bowl. And I think it’s one Taylor and Travis would love to enjoy celebrating the Chief’s win!

But if you want to change things up, you totally can. 

Here’s a few recipe variations:

Southern Comfort Old Fashioned

• Substitute the bourbon whiskey with Southern Comfort for a sweeter, fruitier base. 
• Use honey instead of maple syrup to complement the SoCo.
• Cut the cherry liqueur in half so it’s not too sweet.
• Rim the glass with brown sugar and a pinch of smoked paprika.

Spicy Rye Old Fashioned

• Use rye whiskey instead of bourbon for a spicier, more robust cocktail.
• Instead of maple syrup, add a dash of hot sauce.
• Swap the cherry liqueur for orange liqueur to add depth.
• Rim the glass with coarse salt and a pinch of chili powder.

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

• Swap the cherry liqueur for apple brandy.
• Use apple cider instead of ginger ale. 
• Rim the glass with sugar and cinnamon.

Tips for The Best Kansas City Old Fashioned

This is a pretty simple cocktail recipe. But believe it or not, there are ways to get it wrong. 

So, here’s a few tips to ensure your Kansas City Old Fashioned is worthy of Travis Kelce and the Chiefs.

• Use Quality Ingredients - the bourbon whiskey is front and center in this drink. So be sure to get a brand you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be top-tier expensive, but it should be mid-top shelf. 
• Adjust to Your Tastes - I like drinks on the sweeter side, so this is very much tailored to my preferences. But you can totally play around with it until it’s perfect. So, add more maple or cherry liqueur if you want it sweet. Or leave out the maple syrup if you don’t. 
• Be gentle - this is a stirred, not shaken, kind of drink. You want it to chill and very slightly dilute in the ice. But you don’t want ice chips from shaking it up.
• Use the right ice - unlike my Blueberry Tequila Smash, which is best served over crushed ice, this one needs large, clear ice cubes. Large because it keeps the drink cold but doesn’t melt as quickly. And clean because you don’t want cloudy old ice from the back of the freezer tainting the drink.
• Change the rim - I added the BBQ rim as a nod to Kansas City. But you can leave it off or swap it out for smoked salt, sugar, or a mix of salt and cayenne. 
• Chill the glass - I use the ice water method to chill my glasses because it’s quick and easy, and I always forget to freeze them. But you can pop the glass in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before making the drink.