Old Fashioned

Did you know that this classic bourbon Old Fashioned cocktail is the first cocktail? It’s even listed as one of the unforgettables by the International Bartenders Association. The Old Fashioned is bold, a bit sweet, and has a hint of citrus flavor that makes it perfect for every occasion. It’s a straightforward cocktail that involves no shaking, no straining, and all done in one glass!

It’s definitely a cocktail that you’ll want to keep in your back pocket the next time you’re entertaining guests. If you’re looking for another classic, try my Whiskey Sour or Negroni.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Bitters — in my opinion, Angostura is the bitter of choice for the best Old Fashioned as it adds warmth and spice to the cocktail with fruits, spices, and herbs flavor notes without overwhelming the drink.

Bourbon — use a good quality bourbon. I like using bourbon as it’s slightly sweeter than a rye whisky. My go-to is this Maker’s Mark 46, as it has a smooth and subtle finish.

Sugar cube — the traditional way to make an Old Fashioned is with a sugar cube soaked with bitters then muddled. If you do not have sugar cubes, you could swap for a simple syrup.

HOW TO MAKE AN OLD FASHIONED

1. Place a sugar cube in a glass and saturate with bitters.

2. Muddle the sugar cube.

3. Add 1½ oz of bourbon.

4. Add ice and stir well. Using a match or lighter warm the orange peel up, then squeeze while holding at a 45-degree angle over the glass. Wipe the peel on the rim of the glass and drop it into the Old Fashioned. Add another ¾ oz of bourbon, stir, garnish, and enjoy.

PRO TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE

• While some recipes may call for soda water or water added to the sugar cubes, I skip it so as not to dilute the cocktail.
• Avoid adding too many dashes of bitters to the glass as it’ll overpower the bourbon flavors.
• Don’t skip the sugar as the sweetness opens the bourbon’s aroma.
• When cutting the orange peel, make sure there is as little pith as possible as it’ll taste bitter.
• To help your drink stay cold longer, you can place your glasses in the freezer beforehand. If you didn’t put the glasses in the freezer early enough, you can also fill the glasses with some water and place them in the freezer while preparing to make the drink for a quick chill.
• Feel free to double or triple the recipe, just be sure to use a larger glass to mix your ingredients together.
• Using a large ice cube is ideal as it melts slower and slows the dilution of the drink.
• A Luxardo cherry makes a great garnish for an Old Fashioned. Place it on a toothpick on the glass, or add it to the drink and stir.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does flaming the orange peel do?

When you place a flame under an orange peel, the oils from the orange peel will spark and flame out. The Old Fashioned will get a toasted orange aroma if you do all of this over the glass.

What is the difference between this cocktail and a Manhattan?

Both cocktails are classics but have a few differences. A Manhattan uses sweet vermouth, a type of fortified wine, instead of sugar, whereas an Old Fashioned has a sugar cube and an orange garnish.

What is the origin of this cocktail?

This classic has been around since the mid-1800s, originally called a Whiskey Cocktail. Over time, different cocktails rose to favor, but drinkers still ordered their cocktail the “old-fashioned” way. After some time, the name stuck.

How do you muddle without a muddler?

If you don’t have a muddler, you can use a long wooden spoon, a thin rolling pin, or even a mortar and pestle if you’re in a pinch. Anything that can gently mash the sugar cube will work.

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