Don Draper swigged them, your grandpa served them, and now it’s time for you to discover the greatness that is: the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. Right up there with Martinis — an even older than the Manhattan — the classic Old Fashioned recipe dates back to the early 1800s and it’s stuck around for a good reason: Old Fashioned cocktails are delicious. Just a few ingredients, and a quick swizzle, and you’ve got yourself a seriously easy cocktail recipe that’s (bonus!) almost impossible to mess up. We love a classic cocktail (see also: classic Pimm’s Cup, or the Paper Plane! The classic Mint Julep!), and the whiskey Old Fashioned is as classic as cocktail recipes get. Some people even argue that the Old Fashioned is THE original cocktail. As for us? We think that cocktail history is fascinating and great and all, but — mostly — pass the cherries, and bottoms up.
Old Fashioned Ingredients
Whiskey: Specifically, high-proof bourbon. So, regular bourbon whiskey is usually about 80 proof, meaning 40% ABV (alcohol by volume). We’re calling for 100 proof Bourbon (meaning Kentucky whiskey), which means 50% ABV. In other words, when it comes to Old Fashioneds, we mix ‘em strong!
Sugar: Or, if you’ve got it, we also love to use maple syrup in Old Fashioned. It’s not 100% classic, but it’s delicious.
Angostura bitters. Angostura bitters are a must if you’re committed to making a totally classic Old Fashioned recipe. But, if you want to mix things up, we love using black walnut bitters in Old Fashioneds too.
Garnish: The cherry and the orange peel are SUCH a part of this drink, we really can’t leave them out. One cherry — a regular, classic maraschino cherry — and an orange peel are the perfect garnish for an Old Fashioned.
How To Make an Old-Fashioned
Mix the sugar (or maple syrup), bitters and water in a rocks glass. A cocktail spoon is ideal here.
In goes the ice! We like to use one large rock for making Old Fashioned cocktails — these ice cube trays rock! — but if you only have regular ice, well, that’s OK. A cocktail is a cocktail! And when you’re using high-proof bourbon, a little dilution is not a bad thing.
Pour in the whiskey!
Garnish with a cherry and an orange peel.
You did it! You made the world’s most classic cocktail: The Old Fashioned.
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