Article By: Lila Seeba
We are all familiar with the smooth, familiar taste of a classic Old Fashioned. The gentle sweetness of muddled sugar balances the depth of whisky and bitters, finished with a citrus peel that ties everything together. It is a drink many people return to again and again, especially when the day finally slows down.
This alcohol-free Old Fashioned delivers the familiar depth and comfort of the classic cocktail, using smoky Lapsang Souchong tea and ginger syrup instead of whisky.
If an Old Fashioned is your usual order or the drink you pour to mark the start of a quiet evening, it can feel hard to imagine anything else taking its place.
While the Old Fashioned is undeniably satisfying, it is also easy to pour a second without thinking much about it. For many people, the appeal is not only the alcohol. It is the ritual. The weight of the glass in your hand, the slow stir, the first sip that signals the workday is behind you. Giving that up entirely can feel like losing a familiar part of the evening.
The good news is that those comforting flavors and habits do not have to disappear. With a few smart substitutions, it is possible to skip the alcohol while keeping everything else that makes the drink feel special.
To learn how this works in practice, we spoke with drinks industry expert Derek Brown, who began his career as a bartender and was recognized as Bartender of the Year by Imbibe. Since then, he has written two books on cocktails and mocktails and co-founded The Drink Company, a hospitality consulting service that supports mindful drinking.
When asked about a drink he enjoys making at home, Derek shared that he has been reaching for a Ginger Old Fashioned made without alcohol. Instead of whisky, he uses Lapsang Souchong tea.
At first glance, tea might seem like an unlikely replacement for Scotch. In practice, it works surprisingly well. “Lapsang Souchong tea is actually quite smoky, like an Islay Scotch,” Derek explains. “They cure the tea over pine fires, which is where the smokiness comes from.”
What makes the swap work is not imitation. It lands in the same place. The smoke, bitterness, and warmth show up in a way that feels familiar, even though the base is completely different.
Before sharing the recipe, it helps to know this is not a rushed drink. It is stirred, not shaken, and meant to be made slowly, the same way you would prepare a traditional Old Fashioned.
Old Fashioned with Lapsang Souchong Tea and Ginger Syrup
Makes one serving | 12–14 oz double rocks glass
2 ¼ oz Lapsang Souchong tea (as a replacement for the 2 oz blended Scotch)
¼ oz ginger syrup, store-bought or homemade
3 dashes aromatic bitters
Citrus peel, lemon or orange
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a double rocks glass.
Add ice and stir until chilled.
For Homemade Ginger Syrup
Ingredients:
2 tbsp grated ginger root, skin on
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
Dash of lemon juice
Instructions:
Bring sugar and water to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add grated ginger. Let cool, then add lemon juice and strain.
When asked when this drink feels most fitting, Derek says, “For me, this is a perfect drink to unwind after work. Grab a book and fix a Ginger Old Fashioned, sink into a big leather chair.”
It works well on a weeknight when you want to relax without feeling weighed down. Derek also notes that the Ginger Old Fashioned pairs nicely with steak or grilled vegetables, though he describes it as “first and foremost a contemplative drink.”
In the end, this mocktail offers what many people are actually looking for. The warmth and depth of an Old Fashioned, without the alcohol, and without giving up the quiet pleasure of the moment itself.
Curious about lighter wine options? Read our feature on lower-alcohol wines that still bring big flavor.
About the Contributer
Derek Brown is a beverage expert, award-winning author of , and advocate for mindful drinking.
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