The Millionaire Bacon Old Fashioned is everything you love about that iconic sweet-and-spicy bacon, smoky, rich, a little fiery, transformed into a bold, brunch-ready cocktail. It's indulgent in the best way, but still balanced enough to sip slowly.
This cocktail starts with bacon fat-washed bourbon (the same one we use in my Shaken Maple Bacon Espresso Old-Fashioned), giving it that signature smoky, savory depth. From there, we layer in a brown sugar, maple, and red pepper flake glaze turned syrup, plus aromatic and orange bitters to round everything out with spice and brightness.
And of course, it's finished with a piece of millionaire's bacon-because if you're going to lean in, you might as well fully commit.
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⭐ WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Sweet, smoky, spicy perfection: It hits every flavor note in one sip.
- Ultimate brunch cocktail: Feels indulgent but still elevated.
- Snack + drink in one: The garnish is half the experience.
- Layered and balanced: Rich without being overwhelming.
Key Ingredients
- Bacon Fat-Washed Bourbon: Adds smoky, savory richness and a silky texture that makes the cocktail feel elevated.
- Millionaire's Bacon Syrup: Brown sugar and maple bring depth and sweetness, while red pepper flakes add just enough heat.
- Aromatic Bitters: Provides structure and warm spice.
- Orange Bitters: Brightens the drink and balances the richness.
- Millionaire's Bacon: Reinforces the flavors and makes this cocktail an experience, not just a drink.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this cocktail:
Step 1: Make the bacon fat-washed bourbon.
- Add about ¼ cup bacon fat to a large sealable container.
- Top with 750 ml bourbon, shake, and let sit at room temperature for a few hours.
- Then chill or freeze for 12-24 hours until the fat solidifies.
- Remove the solid fat and strain the bourbon through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 weeks to 1 month.
Step 2: Make the millionaire's bacon
- Add 10 slices thick-cut bacon to a baking sheet and cook at 350°F for 15 minutes.
- While that cooks, make the glaze:
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Stir together, then lightly brush over the partially cooked bacon (don't use it all-you'll reserve some for syrup). Return to the oven for 10 more minutes, then remove and let cool.
Step 3: Make the syrup
- Take the remaining glaze (about ⅓ cup) and add equal parts water (⅓ cup). Heat over medium until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let cool.
Step 4: Make the cocktail
- In a mixing glass or directly in a rocks glass with ice, combine:
- 2 oz bacon fat-washed bourbon
- ½ oz millionaire's bacon syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 2 dashes orange bittersStir until well chilled.
- Strain over a large ice cube (if mixing separately).
- Garnish: half a slice of millionaire's bacon.
💡 EXPERT TIPS
Perfect for brunch or holidays: This one always gets people talking.
Don't over-glaze the bacon-you want enough left to make the syrup.
Strain the bourbon well for the cleanest texture.
Adjust the spice level with the red pepper flakes.
Millionaire Bacon Old Fashioned
- Prep Time: 24
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: cocktail
- Method: stirred
- Cuisine: american
Description
Ingredients
Bacon fat washed bourbon
- ¼ cup bacon fat
- 750 ml bourbon
Millionaire Bacon
- 10 slices of thick cut bacon
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Millionaire bacon syrup
- Remaining maple, brown sugar, and red pepper flake mixture (about ⅓ cup)
- Equal part water (about ⅓ cup)
Cocktail:
- 2 ounces bacon fat washed bourbon
- ½ ounce millionaire bacon syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the bacon fat-washed bourbon: Add about ¼ cup bacon fat to a large sealable container. Top with 750 ml bourbon, shake, and let sit at room temperature for a few hours. Then chill or freeze for 12-24 hours until the fat solidifies. Remove the solid fat and strain the bourbon through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 weeks to 1 month.
- Make the millionaire's bacon Add 10 slices thick-cut bacon to a baking sheet and cook at 350°F for 15 minutes.
- While that cooks, make the glaze: ⅓ cup maple syrup, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Stir together, then lightly brush over the partially cooked bacon (don't use it all-you'll reserve some for syrup). Return to the oven for 10 more minutes, then remove and let cool.
- Next make the syrup: Take the remaining glaze (about ⅓ cup) and add equal parts water (⅓ cup). Heat over medium until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let cool.
- Finally make the cocktail: In a mixing glass or directly in a rocks glass with ice, combine: 2 oz bacon fat-washed bourbon, ½ oz millionaire's bacon syrup, 2 dashes aromatic bitters,2 dashes orange bitters.
- Stir until well chilled. Strain over a large ice cube (if mixing separately).
- Garnish: half a slice of millionaire's bacon.
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