The Old Fashioned is the most classic spirit-forward cocktail in the American canon — batch it with proper dilution and real bitters and it is one of the most impressive kegged cocktails you can offer at an upscale event. The Cold Fashioned adds Java City Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate for roasted depth and a silky coffee finish.
Classic 5-Gal Keg
Prep 5 m
Total 10 m
Yield 5-Gal Keg (~160 servings)
Gas N₂
The challenge with batched Old Fashioneds is controlling dilution. This format handles that in the batch stage so every pour is properly integrated without needing ice dilution at the tap.
Batch Method
- Add 12 liters bourbon or whiskey, 32 oz Top Hat Old Fashioned Syrup, and 3 × 32 oz Java City Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate (or 4 × 32 oz for a stronger coffee profile) to a clean 5-gallon Cornelius keg.
- Top with cold filtered water to 5-gallon volume (3 qts with 3 bottles of cold brew, 2 qts with 4).
- Seal the keg and shake vigorously side to side for 2 full minutes.
- Pressurize with N₂ (nitrogen). See panel below.
- Refrigerate minimum 12 hours before first service.
- Serve ~4 oz over a large cube in a rocks glass. Garnish with shaved orange peel.
- Reshake twice daily to re-integrate settled ingredients.
Pro move: Use high-quality rye or bourbon — the spirit is the star here. The bitters and syrup support but do not mask. Do not over-dilute in the batch.
🍺 N₂ Pressurization — Non-Carbonated Cocktail
- Seal the keg and shake vigorously side to side for 2 full minutes.
- Connect gray/silver Cornelius "gas in" connector to GAS IN plug on keg lid.
- Set N₂ regulator to 12–15 psi.
- Pull up pressure release ring 3 times quickly to cycle gas through keg.
- Test flow. Reduce to 10–12 psi if pouring too fast.
- Reshake twice daily before service to re-integrate all ingredients.
Full keg gas instructions: Keg Gas Instructions →
Top Hat Provisions
Make Better Drinks.
🥂N₂ pressurized — non-carbonated, food-safe
⚡Batch-ready for high-volume draft service
✨90-day shelf life · 160 servings per keg