Pine Needle Old Fashioned

If you’re looking for a super festive winter cocktail, this Pine Needle Old Fashioned is the one! This special drink is bright, aromatic, and perfect for sipping next to the fireplace or Christmas tree. Made with bourbon, orange bitters, and a homemade pine needle simple syrup, it has a woodsy, citrusy depth that’s absolutely perfect for Christmas and the winter holiday season.

Conifer needles might not be the first ingredient you think of for cocktails, but many are edible, with complex and botanical flavors that are well suited for mixology. Douglas fir, spruce, and pine needles lend bright citrus notes reminiscent of orange peel and grapefruit, with a little resiny bitterness. Combined with bourbon, they create a drink that’s complex and unmistakably wintery, perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy winter night.

Why you’ll love this pine old fashioned

• A festive twist on a classic Old Fashioned using wild-foraged flavor
• Pine needle syrup adds citrusy, evergreen depth without overpowering the bourbon
• A stunning Christmas cocktail with minimal ingredients
• Easy to batch for holiday hosting
• Fun & exciting to share (a real conversation starter!)

Choosing conifer needles (and which are edible)

Many evergreen trees produce needles that are not only edible, but incredibly flavorful. In this Pine Needle Old Fashioned, I used Douglas fir needles (Ok, so it’s technically a Douglas Fir Old Fashioned). The needles have a bright, citrus-forward aroma with notes of orange peel and grapefruit.

Common edible conifers include:

• Douglas fir
• Spruce
• Fir
• Pine (many species)
• Hemlock (the tree — not to be confused with the poisonous hemlock plant)

🚫 Yew trees are NOT edible and are highly toxic.
🚫 Do not use branches from Christmas trees, as they are often sprayed with pesticides or flame retardants.

If you want to use Douglas fir needles like I did, you can find more info on identifying Douglas fir in this post.

Foraging for wild edibles must always be done with great care. This post is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is your responsibility to properly identify any wild plants before consuming them. Some trees may look similar but are not edible. When in doubt, do not consume, and always consult a trusted field guide or local expert.

If you love baking with evergreen flavors, be sure to check out my Douglas Fir Cookies (which are perfect alongside your cocktail) and other wild food recipes on the site.

How to make a pine needle old fashioned

Find the full ingredients list and detailed recipe instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here’s a quick step-by-step overview of how to make this recipe:

1. Make the pine needle simple syrup

This syrup is the heart of the cocktail. Make this first and give it plenty of time to cool.

1. Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan
2. Add ¼ cup fresh pine or Douglas fir needles
3. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves
4. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 10-15 minutes
5. Strain out the needles and cool completely

The syrup will smell bright, citrusy, and deeply evergreen, making your whole kitchen smell like a Christmas tree. It’s delightful! Feel free to double the syrup recipe if you plan to make several rounds of cocktails for guests. This batch size will make about ½ cup of pine needle syrup.

2. Build the cocktail

1. Add ice to a mixing glass
2. Pour in bourbon, pine needle syrup, and orange bitters
3. Stir until well chilled
4. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube
5. Garnish with an orange peel and a small pine or fir twig

Variations & substitutions

Spirit swap: Try rye whiskey for a spicier edge or aged rum for warmth. 

Bitters: I chose to use orange bitters to complement the citrus profile of the fir needles. This creates a lighter, brighter cocktail, but feel free to use a different type of bitters to change the overall feel of the drink. Angostura or black walnut bitters also work beautifully here, and will create a darker, richer cocktail with more spice.

If you like a sweeter cocktail: Add more pine needle syrup to taste.

Non-alcoholic option: Combine pine needle syrup, orange bitters, and soda water over ice.

FAQs

Serving notes

This Pine Needle Old Fashioned pairs well with holiday cookies, citrusy or spicy desserts, and savory appetizers. It’s especially lovely alongside wild-foraged treats like Douglas fir cookies, or festive desserts like gingerbread cake or gingerbread swirl brownies.

If you’re hosting a holiday party and looking for more festive cocktail ideas, try this Nocino Black Manhattan as well. It’s dark, rich, and only requires 3 ingredients.

For more foraged cocktail recipes, see Fir Tip Lemon Drop Martini, Magnolia Flower Moscow Mule, and White Linen Cocktail with Elderflower Syrup.

More recipes using edible conifers:

• Douglas Fir Cookies
• Buttermilk Cake with Strawberries & Fir Tips
• Fir Tip Sugar
• Fir Tip Infused Vodka