Allspice Dram Is Key To Crafting The Perfect Autumn Cocktail

Fall is the time for cozy drinks. Mulled wine and hot spiced cider are warming and include all our favorite autumn spices. TikTok creator and Instagrammer Jordan Hughes — he goes by highproofpreacher on both platforms — has a unique fall take on a classic drink with a special ingredient that could shake up your cocktail habit.

A typical Old Fashioned has common ingredients. Bourbon or whiskey can be used (though be aware of the differences between the two), as bitters add a unique taste, and a touch of simple syrup gives the cocktail some sweetness. There's one way Joshua Hughes elevates the flavor of an ordinary Old Fashioned with a liqueur you may not have heard of, but it could become your favorite way to craft an autumn cocktail.

Hughes recommends adding one-quarter of an ounce of a liqueur called allspice dram to an Old Fashioned. If you've used allspice in baking, you may already be familiar with its character, as it's common ingredient in pumpkin pie and spiced cakes. Allspice dram incorporates warming spices like allspice, cinnamon, and clove with rum, which has molasses and caramel notes, to create a spicy and sweet liqueur just waiting to elevate the classic Old Fashioned.

Despite allspice's name, it is not a combination of different spices but a berry that's typically grown in Jamaica. Classified as a warming spice, it shares that designation with other common fall flavors like cinnamon and cloves. It's no wonder that Joshua Hughes refers to allspice dram as "the pumpkin spice of cocktails."

An Old Fashioned cocktail isn't the only drink that can benefit from a bit of allspice dram. Add it to dark rum with some bitters or to an espresso martini for a complex beverage. The important thing to remember is that allspice dram is best used in small amounts, so use just enough to add a subtle flavor. Using any more than half an ounce can overwhelm the other flavors of the drink. 

You don't have to limit yourself to only adding allspice dram to cocktails. Consider putting it in a marinade or sauce to introduce a unique flavor profile. Indeed, it's so popular in some Jamaican homes that it's not uncommon to find this allspice dram at the ready in the kitchen, just waiting to be added to any dish needing a warm, spicy touch.