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A magical Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned for the spookiest of seasons. This is a cozy cocktail for all the chilly autumn nights to come. Homemade spiced rosemary and honey simple syrup, mixed with warming bourbon, lemon, apple butter, and orange bitters. Great for fun October nights. Simply mix everything together for a cocktail that’s perfectly sweetened, spiced, and so delicious! Or make a large batch to serve to family and friends over the holidays, it’s magical. Plus, I’ve also included the mocktail variation.
Who doesn’t love a cute Hocus Pocus cocktail? This is certainly one of my favorite spooky cocktails I’ve shared in a while. It’s so magical and fun! Asher, my younger sister, and I were chatting the other night about how much we love Hocus Pocus. Aside from Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus is our favorite movie to watch all October long. It’s a Halloween classic!
You know I love creating a whole scene with our spooky drinks, and I certainly had fun with this one. It’s spooky, but whimsical at the same time – magical, spicy, sweet, and simple.
The magical details
Step 1: make the honey syrup
Every old-fashioned recipe is typically made with a simple syrup. To add a warm autumn flavor to this we’re making a cinnamon honey syrup.
Gently simmer the honey with water, rosemary, cinnamon, and if you’d like, star anise. It’s sweet and delicious with subtle hints of warm rosemary.
Step 2: mix a spicy cinnamon sugar for the rim
This is what makes this drink really magical and fun. It literally makes your drink sparkle!
A mix of coarse sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and the key ingredient, cayenne. It gives the rim a spicy-sweet KICK, just like the Sanderson sisters! Rub each glass with a lemon wedge and then dip it in the sugar mix. It’s delicious and fun!
Step 3: mix the drink
Now the drink. Mix bourbon with the honey syrup, apple or pumpkin butter, orange bitters, and fresh lemon juice.
Then top each drink with ginger beer. Simple to mix up, and oh so GOOD!
You can also make this into a punch for serving guests. If you do so, depending on how many people you plan to serve, I would probably recommend doubling the recipe. Or even if you just know your guests will be back for seconds!
Finally – the mocktail
If you prefer no alcohol, I’ve included those steps as well! Just use apple cider and a splash of vanilla extract. Just as delish.
Looking for other spooky cocktail recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Haunted Pumpkin Patch Margarita
“I put a Spell on You” Poison Apple Martini
Lastly, if you make this Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 246 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
honey syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- star anise (optional)
old fashioned
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple butter or pumpkin butter
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons ) honey syrup
- ginger beer, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- 1. To make the spiced honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, honey, rosemary, cinnamon, and star anise (if using) to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.2. Rim your glass with spicy cinnamon sugar (recipe in notes). 3. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2-3 tablespoons of honey syrup, bourbon, lemon juice, apple/pumpkin butter, and bitters. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass. Finish with cinnamon sticks.To Make a Mocktail: Omit the bourbon. Use 1 tablespoon of apple cider or sparkling apple cider along with 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Notes
For the Rim: on a small plate, mix 1 tablespoon of coarse sugar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Rub the rim of the glass with a lemon wedge. Then dip the glass into the sugar mix.
Magical Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned Pitcher
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 246 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- star anise (optional)
- 8 ounces (1 cup) bourbon
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) lemon juice
- 1/4 cup apple butter or pumpkin butter
- 3-4 dashes orange bitters
- 3-4 ounces (1/4 – 1/2 cup) honey syrup
- ginger beer, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- 1. To make the spiced honey syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, honey, rosemary, cinnamon, and star anise (if using) to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.2. In a punch bowl, combine the honey syrup, bourbon, lemon juice, apple/pumpkin butter, and bitters. Stir to combine, chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice. Top off with ginger beer, if desired. 3. Rim glasses with spiced cinnamon sugar (recipe in notes). Finish with cinnamon sticks. To Make a Mocktail: omit the bourbon and use 1 cup of apple cider or sparkling apple cider with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Notes
For the Rim: on a small plate, mix 1 tablespoon of coarse sugar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Rub the rim of the glass with a lemon wedge. Then dip the glass into the sugar mix.
Great recipe!! However, I’d move away from calling it an “old fashioned” as it’s waaaay off that category by adding not only lemon juice but also ginger beer.
Hey Konrad,
I appreciate you making this recipe and your feedback! So glad it was enjoyed:) Have a great week! xT
Can I make the honey syrup a day or two ahead? If so, how to store it?
Hi there! Yes, you can make it ahead and store it on the counter! xT
Made this for our Halloween party tonight. A Delicious and fun twist in the Old Fashioned. Thank you!
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try! Hope you’re having a great Halloween weekend! 🙂 xT
I’d like to make this today, but don’t have either apple or pumpkin butter. Are there substitutes or just leave it out?
By the way, I make a traditional old fashioned all the time, but who cares what this is called, just make it, drink it or not.
Certainly, there are many more important issues today!
Hi there! You could use applesauce or apple juice! xT
This is an amazing cocktail, myself and my guests all absolutely loved it and everyone asked for the recipe! I followed the instructions per the pitcher recipe. Some people in the comments are pretty heated about it being called an old fashioned but honestly, who cares, its delicious. I say make it and call it whatever the heck you want to! I plan to serve this on Thanksgiving and can’t wait. Love your drink recipes, very creative and delicious!
Thank you sooo much Betty! xT
I made this drink tonight with my friend and we both LOVED it!
thank you for easy drink recipes! 🥃
cheers!
Shellie
Thank you so much Shellie! Happy Fall! xT
Hi, looks great, could you make with dark rum instead of Bourbon please? Thanks!
Yes absolutely! xT
I made this last night for a small gathering and everyone LOVED it! We even had a second round. A new favorite cocktail for fall!
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! Have an awesome weekend! xT
The measurements for a batch of 6 drinks don’t add up; there’s 1/4 cup of bourbon for 1 serving, and only 1 cup bourbon in 6 servings.
The apple butter and other ingredients are off too.
Is the batch supposed to be not as strong?
I don’t normally comment on anything, but I’m from Wisconsin and really take offense to this. That is nowhere near a cocktail that could be called an old fashioned! The title for this should definitely be changed because it could cause confusion if someone is searching for an actual old fashioned recipe. :/ Old fashioneds are a very traditional cocktail that we make around here and they are very simple to make, would never ever include ginger beer or apple butter. Yikes! I think this should just be called a cocktail and not an old fashioned specifically…
Came here to say this. Thank you. The recipe looks decent, but it’s absolutely not an old fashioned.
Exactly!! The drink sounds really good, just wish it wasn’t labeled as an old fashioned
Hi Kim, I don’t normally comment either but I had to say the traditional Wisconsin old fashioned you speak of are not actual old fashioneds either. Those use brandy and a muddled mess of sugar orange slices and candied cherries. A true old fashioned contains bourbon/whiskey, bitters, and vermouth *garnished* with an orange peel. That’s it.
A traditional old fashioned doesn’t have vermouth. Just whiskey, a sugar cube, bitters, and water. You described a Manhattan.
This sounds great t me !! I thought people in Wisconsin only drink beer, which makes them simple.
What part of ‘Hocus Pocus’ in the title would make you think this is a traditional Old Fashioned? Is anyone from Salem reading this thinking three witches brewed it? If this causing confusion (Wisconsin), you’ve got some bigger issues on your hands.
10/10 Hocus Pocus Old Fashioned
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.
Where can I get those beautiful glasses?
Hi Marie! These are old from Williams Sonoma! xT
I agree. The inclusion of hocus pocus to the name old fashioned makes it not a traditional old fashioned. The author did not claim it was a traditional drink from Wisconsin. Furthermore she put herself out there to share a fun seasonal drink. How juvenile to argue over this. These people should be ashamed.
Thank you so much for including the mocktail versions in your drink recipes! It’s really helpful and appreciated. We’re visiting tropical Thailand right now (!), but as soon as we get back to the blustery fall weather I’m whipping up a couple of these for a cozy treat to reset. Have a wonderful day!
How fun! Enjoy your time in Thailand! xT