Black Walnut Old Fashioned
Jan 25, 2026
Black Walnut Old Fashioned (Colorado-crafted + a little water 
)
There are cocktails that feel like a moment… and then there are cocktails that feel like a whole mood. This Black Walnut Old Fashioned lands firmly in the second category—rich, silky, warm, slightly moody, and absolutely perfect for cold nights, good company, or a “leave me alone, I’m romanticizing my life” kind of evening.
And the best part? We used two Colorado ingredients—well three if you count the water (haha)—to make this one.
⸻
Why a Black Walnut Old Fashioned is so good
A classic Old Fashioned is built on three things: whiskey, sweetness, and bitters. It’s bold, simple, and timeless.
But once you add black walnut into the equation, it becomes deeper and more complex—almost like it’s wearing a velvet jacket.
The flavor profile (aka what it tastes like)
A Black Walnut Old Fashioned tends to bring:
• toasted, nutty warmth (hello, walnut richness)
• caramel + brown sugar sweetness
• gentle spice from bitters (think clove, pepper, baking spice vibes)
• earthy bitterness and tannins that round everything out
• a finish that’s smooth, dark, and lingering—in the best way
It’s still an Old Fashioned… just with more drama.
⸻
The Colorado stars of this cocktail
1) Bad Alibi Distillery – Craig Town Whiskey
We used Craig Town Whiskey from Bad Alibi Distillery, located in Craig, Colorado.
Bad Alibi’s whole brand leans into storytelling through their spirits, with bottles that are meant to represent pieces of Western Colorado culture.
They also welcome visitors for tasting room and bottle sales in Craig, which makes it extra fun if you’re ever passing through Northwest Colorado.
This whiskey is a great match for a walnut-forward cocktail because it can hold its own against deeper flavors without getting lost.
⸻
2) Strongwater – Black Walnut Bitters
To finish, we topped the drink with Strongwater Black Walnut Bitters—and I mean it when I say this is where the cocktail goes from “good” to “I need another one.”
Strongwater’s Black Walnut bitters are made with real walnuts and black walnut leaf, giving a full-bodied, rich, nutty profile with natural depth.
And yes… the third Colorado ingredient is in here too
Their ingredient list includes Filtered Rocky Mountain Water (we’re counting it!) along with black walnut, cloves, roasted cacao nibs, and more.
Strongwater describes their products as award-winning, Colorado crafted “potions,” and honestly that’s exactly what it feels like when you use them in a cocktail.
⸻
Recipe: Black Walnut Old Fashioned (with a silky foam finish)
Ingredients
• 2 oz Bad Alibi Distillery Craig Town Whiskey
• 1/2 TBSP brown sugar
• 1 large ice cube
• 1/2 dropper Mr Better Bitters Magical Foamer
• Strongwater Black Walnut Bitters (to top)
Instructions
1. Add 2 oz Craig Town Whiskey + 1/2 TBSP brown sugar to a cocktail shaker.
2. Add one large ice cube and stir until the sugar dissolves.
This step is key because it properly dilutes the cocktail and smooths everything out.
3. Add 1/2 dropper Magical Foamer.
4. Shake hard for 30 seconds (this is what creates the silky texture).
5. Pour over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
6. Top with Strongwater Black Walnut Bitters and serve.
⸻
Final sip thoughts
This drink is cozy, elevated, and a little wild-west classy, which feels extremely on-brand when you’re using Colorado-made whiskey and bitters.
If you want an Old Fashioned that tastes like:
)There are cocktails that feel like a moment… and then there are cocktails that feel like a whole mood. This Black Walnut Old Fashioned lands firmly in the second category—rich, silky, warm, slightly moody, and absolutely perfect for cold nights, good company, or a “leave me alone, I’m romanticizing my life” kind of evening.
And the best part? We used two Colorado ingredients—well three if you count the water (haha)—to make this one.
⸻
Why a Black Walnut Old Fashioned is so good
A classic Old Fashioned is built on three things: whiskey, sweetness, and bitters. It’s bold, simple, and timeless.
But once you add black walnut into the equation, it becomes deeper and more complex—almost like it’s wearing a velvet jacket.
The flavor profile (aka what it tastes like)
A Black Walnut Old Fashioned tends to bring:
• toasted, nutty warmth (hello, walnut richness)
• caramel + brown sugar sweetness
• gentle spice from bitters (think clove, pepper, baking spice vibes)
• earthy bitterness and tannins that round everything out
• a finish that’s smooth, dark, and lingering—in the best way
It’s still an Old Fashioned… just with more drama.
⸻
The Colorado stars of this cocktail
1) Bad Alibi Distillery – Craig Town Whiskey
We used Craig Town Whiskey from Bad Alibi Distillery, located in Craig, Colorado.
Bad Alibi’s whole brand leans into storytelling through their spirits, with bottles that are meant to represent pieces of Western Colorado culture.
They also welcome visitors for tasting room and bottle sales in Craig, which makes it extra fun if you’re ever passing through Northwest Colorado.
This whiskey is a great match for a walnut-forward cocktail because it can hold its own against deeper flavors without getting lost.
⸻
2) Strongwater – Black Walnut Bitters
To finish, we topped the drink with Strongwater Black Walnut Bitters—and I mean it when I say this is where the cocktail goes from “good” to “I need another one.”
Strongwater’s Black Walnut bitters are made with real walnuts and black walnut leaf, giving a full-bodied, rich, nutty profile with natural depth.
And yes… the third Colorado ingredient is in here too
Their ingredient list includes Filtered Rocky Mountain Water (we’re counting it!) along with black walnut, cloves, roasted cacao nibs, and more.
Strongwater describes their products as award-winning, Colorado crafted “potions,” and honestly that’s exactly what it feels like when you use them in a cocktail.
⸻
Recipe: Black Walnut Old Fashioned (with a silky foam finish)
Ingredients
• 2 oz Bad Alibi Distillery Craig Town Whiskey
• 1/2 TBSP brown sugar
• 1 large ice cube
• 1/2 dropper Mr Better Bitters Magical Foamer
• Strongwater Black Walnut Bitters (to top)
Instructions
1. Add 2 oz Craig Town Whiskey + 1/2 TBSP brown sugar to a cocktail shaker.
2. Add one large ice cube and stir until the sugar dissolves.
This step is key because it properly dilutes the cocktail and smooths everything out.
3. Add 1/2 dropper Magical Foamer.
4. Shake hard for 30 seconds (this is what creates the silky texture).
5. Pour over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
6. Top with Strongwater Black Walnut Bitters and serve.
⸻
Final sip thoughts
This drink is cozy, elevated, and a little wild-west classy, which feels extremely on-brand when you’re using Colorado-made whiskey and bitters.
If you want an Old Fashioned that tastes like:
caramel + toasted walnut + spice + velvet…..this is it.
