Disclosure: Grounded in Thyme earns a small commission from some affiliate links at no extra cost. Full Disclosures & Disclaimers.

Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion Jar: A Homemade Holiday Gift

If you are looking for a homemade holiday gift that feels special but is still simple to put together, this Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion Jar is a good one. It is filled with dried cherries, dried orange, and warm spices. The recipient simply adds bourbon, lets it infuse, and strains it.

It looks beautiful in the jar, takes only a few minutes to assemble, and makes about six cocktails once infused. Add a ribbon and a gift tag, and it is ready for the bourbon lover, holiday host, neighbor, or hard-to-shop-for person on your list.

Why Use Dried Fruit?

This recipe uses dried cherries and dried orange slices instead of fresh fruit. Dried ingredients make the jar easier to assemble ahead of time, easier to give, and less perishable before the bourbon is added. They also give the infusion plenty of cherry and orange flavor without adding as much water to the bourbon.

What You’ll Need

This section is a natural place to add your product links.

16-ounce wide-mouth glass jar with lid
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
3 dried orange slices
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 tablespoon turbinado or raw sugar — optional
Kraft gift tags or use our FREE Tag
Baker’s twine or ribbon
Small fine-mesh strainer
Old Fashioned or rocks glasses — optional gift addition
Large ice-cube tray — optional gift addition
12 ounces bourbon, added by the recipient

Shopping note: Choose dried cherries without added oil when possible. The orange slices should be completely dry, not soft or sticky.

Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion Jar Recipe

This Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion combines dried cherries, dried orange slices, cinnamon, and cloves with bourbon for a smooth cocktail filled with warm citrus and cherry flavor. Easy to assemble and beautiful in the jar, it makes a thoughtful homemade holiday gift—just add bourbon, infuse for 3–5 days, strain, and enjoy over ice with bitters.

Equipment

1 16 ounce glass jar with lid

Ingredients

1/2 cup dried tart cherries
3 dried orange slices
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 tablespoon turbinado or raw sugar optional

Instructions

To Assemble the Gift Jar
Make sure the jar and lid are completely clean and dry.
Add the dried cherries to the jar.
Tuck the dried orange slices along the inside of the glass so they can be seen.
Add the cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and optional sugar.
Seal the jar tightly.
Add a ribbon or twine and attach the infusion directions below.

Notes

Do not add the bourbon until you are ready to begin the infusion. If you are giving the jar as a gift, the recipient can add their favorite bourbon at home.
12 ounces bourbon
Infusion time: 3–5 days
Makes: Approximately six cocktails

Directions for the Gift Tag

Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion

Add 12 ounces of bourbon to the jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place for 3–5 days, gently turning the jar once a day. Begin tasting on day 3. When the flavor is to your liking, strain the bourbon and discard the fruit and spices. Store the strained infusion in a clean, sealed bottle in the refrigerator.

Download our FREE Gift Tag HERE

How to Make a Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned

For One Cocktail

2 ounces Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion
2–3 dashes aromatic bitters
1 teaspoon simple syrup or maple syrup, optional
Ice
Orange peel or dried orange slice for garnish, optional

Directions

Add the infused bourbon, bitters, and optional syrup to a rocks glass.
Add one large ice cube or a few regular ice cubes.
Stir for about 15–20 seconds.
Garnish with an orange peel or dried orange slice.

3 Mocktail Recipe Options

Option 1: Nonalcoholic Old Fashioned

Add 12 ounces of a nonalcoholic whiskey alternative to the jar. Refrigerate and infuse for 12–24 hours, gently turning occasionally. Strain and keep refrigerated.

To serve:

2 ounces infused nonalcoholic whiskey
2–3 dashes alcohol-free bitters
1 teaspoon maple or simple syrup
Orange peel
Ice

Because nonalcoholic spirits do not preserve ingredients like bourbon does, use the strained infusion within the timeframe stated on the spirit’s bottle—generally within a few days after opening.

Option 2: Cherry-Orange Sparkling Mocktail

Place the jar ingredients in a pitcher and add:

4 cups cold water or unsweetened black tea
1 cup tart cherry juice
1 cup orange juice

Refrigerate for 2–4 hours, then strain. Pour over ice and top each glass with sparkling water or ginger ale. Keep refrigerated and use within 2 days.

Option 3: Warm Cherry-Orange Holiday Punch

Add the jar ingredients to a saucepan with:

4 cups apple cider
2 cups tart cherry juice
1 cup orange juice

Warm gently for 15–20 minutes without boiling, then strain. Serve warm with an orange slice.

This would also make the gift more flexible if you add a line to the tag:

Make it a cocktail or mocktail—directions available for both!

How Far Ahead Can You Make It?

The dry gift jar can be assembled several weeks ahead. Keep it tightly sealed in a cool, dry place and use the earliest best-by date on your ingredients as your guide.

Once the bourbon is added, infuse it for 3–5 days. Do not leave the orange and spices in indefinitely, because the flavor can become bitter or overly strong. After straining, keep the infusion sealed in the refrigerator and enjoy it within about two months for the best flavor. Discard it if you notice mold, an unusual appearance, or an off smell.

Easy Ways to Turn It Into a Gift Set

The infusion jar is a complete gift on its own, but you can also pair it with:

A bottle of bourbon
Two Old Fashioned glasses
A large ice-cube tray
A bottle of aromatic bitters
A small jar of homemade simple syrup
Cocktail napkins
Dried orange slices for garnishing

Place everything in a small basket or wooden crate and add a tag that says, “Just add bourbon.”Place everything in a small basket or wooden crate and add a tag that says, “Just add bourbon.”

A Simple Homemade Gift That Feels Special

This Cherry-Orange Old Fashioned Infusion Jar has the best combination for holiday gift giving: it is easy to make, beautiful to look at, and something the recipient can actually enjoy. You do not need any special equipment, and you can assemble several jars at once for hosts, friends, neighbors, or family.

Please enjoy responsibly. This gift is intended only for adults of legal drinking age.

Follow Grounded in Thyme for more Bottled & Infused Gifts!