Old Fashioned

A popular classic drink, the Old Fashioned cocktail is the epitome of simple yet effective. Combine good whiskey, sugar, and aromatic bitters and strain into a chilled glass. Finish off with a twist of orange peel for a hint of citrus, and voilà! Your bold cocktail is ready to enjoy.

Knowing how to make classic cocktail recipes like a whiskey sour, sazerac, or negroni is especially great if you enjoy hosting. While they are simple to make, the classics are always impressive and a hit with guests. I also like serving Old Fashioneds because they’re easily adaptable to use various liquors or flavorings, depending on what my guests like or what bar supplies I have on hand. I share lots of variation ideas in this post!

A reader, Gwenn, says: “That is a delicious cocktail! The fragrant orange peel makes this drink…I didn’t have the Angostura bitters, so I used grapefruit bitters. So yum!” ★★★★★

What Is An Old Fashioned?

A classic bourbon cocktail, the Old Fashioned is typically made with bourbon (whiskey), sugar, a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and a twist of orange peel for a citrusy kick. Often referred to as the “original cocktail,” its history is a little muddled, with both England and the US claiming its origin. But no matter where it came from, the drink is now a popular choice for whiskey lovers worldwide.

Good whiskey is the star of the show, softened by the sugar and deepened with the bitters. Sometimes a maraschino cherry is added to the glass for a little extra sweetness. No matter how you serve it, this whiskey cocktail is warming, complex, and silky smooth.

Old Fashioned vs. Manhattan: What’s The Difference?

The main difference between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan is the sweetener used. They are both whiskey-based, but an Old Fashioned cocktail is sweetened with sugar or simple syrup, while a Manhattan contains sweet vermouth, a type of fortified wine. Manhattans are also commonly served in martini glasses with cherries, and an Old Fashioned is typically served in a rocks glass with a citrus twist or cherry.

What You Need For This 4-Ingredient Cocktail

You only need four ingredients for the perfect Old Fashioned (plus an optional garnish if you want to level it up). You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card below!

Whiskey — whiskey is the dominant flavor in this classic recipe, so a good quality liquor is a must. I love making this with bourbon, but feel free to use rye whiskey or scotch whiskey to switch up the flavor profile. No matter what, opt for the one with a flavor you enjoy straight. The best bourbon or best whiskey to use is not necessarily the most expensive, but one you can happily sip on!

Bitters — Angostura bitters add a complex, spiced and herbal element to the cocktail. If you don’t have Angostura, you can use other types of bitters like orange, chocolate, Peychaud, or grapefruit.

Sugar — demerara sugar brings the necessary sweetness to soften the sharp whiskey. If you don’t have this on hand, use granulated sugar or a sugar cube!

Orange peel — an orange peel twisted over the top of the glass expresses citrus oils, which add depth to the drink.

Cocktail cherry — while optional, I love adding good Maraschino cherries, like a Luxardo cherry, as a garnish.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

Chill the cocktail glass to keep the drink colder for longer. Place the glass in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes before you start working on the cocktail.

Flame the orange peel for a stronger orange flavor. When you place a flame under an orange peel, the oils from the orange peel will spark and flame out, and your Old Fashioned will get a lovely toasted orange aroma. To do this, hold the long strip of orange peel, zest side facing away from you, angled towards the drink. Light a wooden match and gently move the flame around the peel to warm it up. Still holding the match near the peel, quickly squeeze the peel, and the oils will ignite and flame out. (Watch my YouTube video, and I’ll show you just how to do it!)

Use a large ice cube for the best cocktail. Large ice cubes melt much more slowly than regular ones, and will dilute the Old Fashioned less as you slowly drink. You can find these large ice cubes or sphere ice molds in most stores that have a kitchen or bar supply section.

How To Make An Old Fashioned Cocktail

1. Add the orange bitters, sugar, and a small splash of water to a mixing glass.

2. Stir until the sugar at the bottom of the glass is dissolved.

3. Add ice and bourbon.

4. Stir well to chill the drink.

5. Strain into a rocks glass over 1 large ice cube.

6. Twist an orange peel to express the citrus oils over the glass, then drop the peel into the glass. Add a cherry for garnish if you like.

Variations To Try

While the classic spirit choice is a type of whiskey, you can easily make other Old Fashioned variations with other types of liquors or flavorings.

• Use a different spirit: For a twist on the classic recipe, swap the whiskey for aged rum, brandy, or mezcal.
• Swap the sweetener: Instead of sugar, use maple syrup, honey, agave, or a flavored simple syrup.
• Add a flavor twist: Use different bitters (like Peychaud’s bitters or fruit bitters); a splash of liqueurs like Bénédictine or even chocolate liqueur; use fruit jam instead of the sugar; or use fresh herbs like rosemary as a garnish for a more herbaceous cocktail.

How To Pre-Batch Old Fashioned Cocktails

You can batch this cocktail for parties very easily! You’ll need one 750ml bottle of whiskey, ¼ cup simple syrup, 12 to 16 dashes of bitters (more or less to taste), and ⅓ cup of water. Mix everything together in a jug and chill. Add more simple syrup, water, or bitters to taste. For a single cocktail, pour about 3 ounces over ice and garnish.

While water isn’t in the regular single-cocktail recipe, adding it pre-dilutes the big batch (which happens when you stir it with ice before straining the cocktail anyway!). This means with the batched cocktail, you can skip that step before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve tried this Old Fashioned cocktail recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!