Easy Frozen Old Fashioned Treats
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about tucking a classic into the freezer and letting it turn into a spoonable, chilly treat. These Easy Frozen Old Fashioned Treats are exactly that—softly boozy with a warm whisper of vanilla and citrus, a little cherry glow, and that familiar Old Fashioned warmth translated into a cool, creamy, not-too-sweet dessert. They’re the kind of thing you make ahead without fuss, then bring out after dinner or on a lazy weekend afternoon, when the house feels a little slow and the light is doing its soft end-of-day show across the kitchen floor.
I think what makes them feel special is how they taste like a quiet evening. A bit of orange, a hint of cherry, the mellow voice of bourbon (or a gentle stand-in if you’re keeping it kid-friendly), all set into something you can scoop or unmold and pass around in small cups. There’s a grown-up elegance to them, but they’re still playful—cold on your tongue, sweet at the edges, and melting just a touch faster than you expect. Honestly, they’re the dessert I reach for when I want the comfort of a cocktail and the lightness of a frozen treat without fussing over anything.
MORE OF OUR FAVORITE…
The first time I made these, it was a Sunday that had already slipped into afternoon before we knew it. The kids were zigzagging through the kitchen like tiny comets, a half-drunk cup of coffee had gone cool on the counter (typical), and my husband was queuing up a playlist that can best be described as “front porch at golden hour.” Our dog was stationed hopefully near the oven out of habit, even though the real action was the freezer door—she’s an optimist. I’ll admit, I tossed everything together a little too casually that day, distracted by a sock hunt and a sticky doorknob, but the freezer did its quiet, dependable work. Hours later, we stood barefoot in the kitchen, passing little cups back and forth, and those familiar Old Fashioned notes—citrus, cherry, that little bitters hum—felt like a cozy exhale in the middle of a very ordinary day.
My husband loves them best when they’re just soft enough to yield to a spoon, mounded into a small bowl with a curl of orange on top. I like mine after dinner, when the house has settled and the evening feels stretchy and kind. For the kids, I make a mocktail version—same citrus-cherry comfort, just brighter and free of the grown-up warmth—and they’ll run in, grab theirs, and vanish down the hall in an orange-scented breeze. Sometimes we take our bowls to the porch and listen to the neighborhood, a quiet hum of laughter and lawn mowers, and there’s always a little clink of a spoon against a frosty cup, which might be my favorite sound of summer.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Frozen Old Fashioned Treats
– It tastes like your favorite cocktail wandered into the freezer and came back with a softer voice—bright citrus, cherry sweetness, and a gentle, toasty depth.
– Make-ahead bliss. You can tuck it away in the morning and let the day roll on; it’s waiting for you when the evening slows down.
– Not too sweet, not too heavy. Just enough to feel special after dinner, or as a midafternoon nibble with that second cup of coffee.
– It’s flexible. Spoon it into bowls, slide it out of little molds, or scoop it from a pan like a gentle granita. Do what fits the day.
– Easy to share. Small cups, a tin of spoons, and a crowd that somehow gathers into the kitchen when they hear the freezer open.
Slow Moments
Sometimes I set the bowl on a tea towel and take a breath before I start. It’s a quiet ritual—zesting a little orange, catching that spritz of oils in the air, feeling the scent bloom sweet and clean. There’s a soft hum from the radio, the afternoon light tapping the edge of the counter, and the dog doing her best to pretend she’s not watching my every move. I’ll stir slowly and take a tiny taste, then another, until the balance feels like something I want to linger on.
When the mixture is tucked into the freezer, it turns into a gentle waiting game. I check it like I’m visiting a friend, tapping the lid, listening to the children in the next room build a fort out of sofa cushions. And when it’s ready—when that first spoon slides in with the hush of a small drift—I can’t help but smile. The cold meets your tongue first, then the orange rises up, and finally a mellow warmth settles in like a soft blanket. We’ll gather near the back door and pass bowls around, standing on that threshold between kitchen and evening, sharing quiet little sighs and spoonfuls that disappear too fast.
Time-Saving Hacks
– Use a good-quality citrus juice if you’re short on time. Fresh is lovely, but a dependable bottle can be a weeknight hero.
– Freeze the mixture in a shallow pan so it firms faster, then scoop when company shows up “just for a minute” that turns into an hour.
– Little molds or paper cups keep portions tidy. Pop them out when you’re ready, and you’re instantly the relaxed host you want to be.
– If you’re doing a kid-friendly version, stir it together at the same time so you’re not making two separate things later.
– Slow-down reminder: letting the base rest, even briefly, makes the flavors bloom together. When the day allows, don’t rush that part.
Serving Ideas
– Add a soft curl of orange peel or a cherry on top. Small, simple, just enough to hint at what’s inside.
– A little square of dark chocolate on the side is perfect. The bittersweet edge cozies right up to the citrus.
– For weeknights, scoop into espresso cups and pass them around the table. For weekends, set out bowls with a tiny pitcher of seltzer and let folks splash a bubble or two on top.
– Pair with a short cup of strong coffee, an iced black tea with a wedge of lemon, or a splash of ginger ale for lift.
– If you’re leaning non-alcoholic, brighten with extra citrus and a cherry drizzle for color. It still feels grown-up, just softer.
Tips & Mistakes
– Go easy on the booze. Too much and it won’t set the way you want. I learned this the night I poured with a heavy hand and ended up with a lovely slush—still delicious, just… let’s call it “sippable.”
– Taste as you go. A little extra citrus can tip it from mellow to zippy very quickly. I’ve done the over-zest thing, and the pith will tell on you.
– Cover it snugly. The freezer shares aromas, and a well-wrapped pan keeps every bite tasting like the dessert you intended, not last night’s leftovers.
– If it’s too firm straight from the freezer, give it a few minutes on the counter. The sweet spot shows up right when the spoon leaves a gentle path.
Storage Tips
Keep it in a lidded container or covered pan to ward off stray freezer scents. It keeps nicely for several days, and I love a scoop right from the fridge after it’s had a chance to soften a bit—cold, silky at the edges, and perfect with an afternoon coffee. If you’ve gone the single-serve route, tuck the cups into a tin so you can grab one for a quiet back-porch moment, or pair it with a crisp cookie for a next-day lunch treat. If ice crystals form over time, just let it sit a touch longer and stir gently; it settles back down like a cozy blanket.
Variations and Substitutions
– Use rye instead of bourbon for a spicier whisper, or choose a non-alcoholic spirit if that’s more your lane. You’ll still get that Old Fashioned vibe, just gentler.
– Swap bitters—orange keeps it classic, but cherry or even chocolate bitters add their own little storyline.
– For dairy-free days, a creamy oat or coconut base gives a lush texture. Coconut brings a tropical wink that’s surprisingly charming with citrus.
– Brighten with lemon or even a little grapefruit zest if you like a sharper edge, especially in early spring when you’re craving that clean, sunny taste.
– Stir in a ribbon of cherry syrup for a marbled look. Delicious, and it makes every scoop feel like the “good” corner piece.
– What didn’t quite sing for me: too much maple. It weighed the flavor down. A light drizzle is lovely; a heavy pour gets bossy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Frozen Old Fashioned Treats
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 cup orange juice freshly squeezed if possible
- 0.75 cup water
- 0.5 cup bourbon use a smooth, mid-range bourbon
- 0.25 cup simple syrup 1:1 sugar to water
- 0.5 tsp Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 8 each maraschino cherries optional
- 8 each thin orange half-slices optional garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- In a large measuring cup or pitcher, whisk together orange juice, water, bourbon, simple syrup, bitters, and orange zest until fully combined.
- Divide the mixture among 8 popsicle molds, leaving about 0.25 inch of headspace.
- Add 1 maraschino cherry and, if using, a small orange half-slice to each mold.
- Insert sticks and freeze until solid, about 4 hours or overnight.
- To unmold, run the outside of the molds under warm water for 10 to 15 seconds, then gently pull to release. Serve immediately.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!