Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2024)

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Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (1)

How to make the classic old fashioned drink the right way. Bourbon, bitters, simple syrup (sugar cube), and an orange peel.

  • Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2)
  • Posted byby Shawn Williams
  • Updated:
  • 4 Comments

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Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (3)

The Old Fashioned co*cktail dates back to the late 1800s. It’s said to have been created by bartender, James E. Pepper in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s a classic co*cktail made with whiskey (bourbon), Angostura bitters, orange (or lemon) peel, and a muddled sugar cube. Unfortunately, this isn’t what you’ll get at 90% of restaurants and bars if you order one.

Ingredients

Bourbon, sugar, bitters, orange PEEL. 4 simple elements plus ice. No orange pulp, no mashed cherries, not overly sweet, not watered down. I usually substitute simple syrup in place of a sugar cube since I always have it on hand and it obviously mixes better than sugar.

If you do decide to use a sugar cube, a small splash of club soda or water should be used to help muddle/dissolve the sugar.

Best Bourbon for Old Fashioned

I love bourbon because there are SO MANY great options out there at the $25-$35 price point. My evergrowing list of favorite budget-friendly bourbons are:

  • Buffalo Trace
  • Larceny
  • Elijah Craig
  • Michter’s
  • Henry McKenna Single Barrel
  • Four Roses Single Barrel
  • Woodford Reserve
  • Eagle Rare
  • Knob Creek
  • Maker’s Mark

Addressing Proper Technique

Today, most Old Fashioneds are made improperly with muddled oranges and cherries (I cringe at the sight of these), while others add lots of club soda on top (please, don’t do this). Truth be told until I had a proper Old Fashioned, I thought this was actually the drink as it was intended to be.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir (never shake). Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass and squeeze/twist the orange peel over the co*cktail to release the oil and flavors from the peel. It’s subtle but makes a massive difference in the final taste and aroma. Is it the same drink without it? No way.

The Peel is a Flavor Element, Not Just a Garnish

A tip on expressing the oils from a peel: You want to point the outer peel (non-pith side) outward facing the drink and gently squeeze the edges so the oils spray out over the top of the drink. If done properly, you can actually see an oily film floating on the surface of your co*cktail. The aroma should hit your note as you sip.

Lastly, serve with a (giant) ice cube if you have on hand (they melt slower) and garnish with the orange peel. If you love Old Fashioned co*cktails, invest in a giant silicone ice cube tray—you won’t regret it.

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Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (4)

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Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (5)

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe

★★★★4 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Shawn WIlliams
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 1 1x
  • Category: co*cktail
  • Cuisine: American

Description

How to make the classic old fashioned drink the right way. Bourbon, bitters, simple syrup (sugar cube), and an orange peel.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 ounces bourbon or rye
  • 1/4 ounce (1 teaspoon) simple syrup or 1 sugar cube with a splash of water (muddled)
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 orange peel (or lemon)

Instructions

  1. In a mixing glass or Boston shaker, combine simple syrup, bitters, and bourbon. Fill mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously about a dozen times.
  2. Strain into an old-fashioned glass over a giant ice cube.
  3. Squeeze orange peel over glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel and add to the glass.

Notes

You can use 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar if you don’t have simple syrup.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 154
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 6mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: old fashioned co*cktail, how to make an old fashioned, best bourbon for old fashioned

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (6)

Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes. Learn more.

4 Comments

  • I make this recipe but isn’t there little twists to make it your own? I’ve had old fashioned in fancy restaurants that were outstanding. What makes it different? A cherry and a mandarin orange wedge on a pick? Orange bitters instead of regular? Is the rye instead of bourbon the difference?

    Reply

    • Not looking for different – this is the Old Fashioned in its purest form – how a meticulous co*cktail bar would build the drink. Traditionally it’s orange peel, sugar, and bitters. Unfortunately a lot of bars and restaurants will muddle cherry and an orange wheel (with guts) but it’s too sweet and not how a true Old Fashioned should be made!

      Reply

      • Was looking for a traditional Old Fashioned recipe just now. Going to whip this up. Thanks

        Reply

  • Used what I have…12yr. Dickel. Nice

    Reply

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Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a good Old Fashioned? ›

Old Fashioneds are to be stirred, never shaken. In general, you should shake any co*cktail with citrus juice, egg whites or cream, and stir all others. Use a bar spoon to steadily stir the co*cktail for a maximum of 30 seconds—you want to chill it without melting the ice cube down too much.

How is an old fashioned co*cktail made? ›

Pour simple syrup, water, and bitters into a whiskey glass; stir to combine. Add ice cubes and pour in bourbon. Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry.

What are Old Fashioned drinks made of? ›

The old fashioned is a co*cktail made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey (typically rye or bourbon), and garnishing with an orange slice or zest and a co*cktail cherry. It is traditionally served with ice in an old fashioned glass (also known as a rocks glass).

What sugar is best for an Old Fashioned? ›

Sugar: The Old Fashioned is traditionally made with either granulated white sugar or a sugar cube. Superfine bar sugar is fast-dissolving and eliminates the potential for a crunchy co*cktail, as does simple syrup.

How many dashes of bitters are in an Old Fashioned? ›

Two healthy dashes will do the trick. Chocolate or walnut bitters work well in this drink if you can find them. I also like Dale DeGroff's pimento bitters. Technique: The most balanced Old Fashioned is made by stirring the drink with ice for about 20 to 30 seconds and then straining that mix over fresh ice.

How many standard drinks are in an Old Fashioned? ›

Here's a recipe for a traditional Old Fashioned. Makes 1 serving. Approx. 1.9 standard drinks.

What is the best alcohol to make an Old Fashioned with? ›

An Old Fashioned is a very popular whiskey (usually bourbon) co*cktail. It is a co*cktail that could be made from a spicy rye whiskey as well, but today bourbon is preferred. Keep in mind that the bourbon that you choose can drastically change the flavor profile your Old Fashioned has.

What is the difference between Old Fashioned and Old Fashioned? ›

To summarize, Old-fashioned is the correct spelling. It refers to something outdated or a type of co*cktail. Old fashion is a misspelling of the adjective phrase old-fashioned.

What are the 6 basic co*cktails? ›

They are the Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip. In each drink, every ingredient falls into at least one category.

What are the 4 basic co*cktails? ›

But things have changed since then, as Josh and Scott are about to show us with the modern versions of these classic recipes.
  • The Daiquiri. Here, we have two Daiquiris. ...
  • The Margarita. ...
  • The Martini. ...
  • The Old Fashioned.
Mar 17, 2016

What are 4 basic method in making co*cktails? ›

Basic methods for preparing co*cktails:
  • Blend — Mix;
  • Shake — Shake;
  • Build — Construct;
  • Stir — Stir.

How many times do you stir an Old Fashioned? ›

Place simple syrup, bitters and the whiskey in an Old Fashioned glass, stir well then add 1 to 2 large ice cubes. Stir 2 to 3 times to chill then garnish with peel of orange and cherry.

Why do people put soda water in Old Fashioned? ›

She says the tradition of adding soda and fruit to an Old Fashioned goes back to Prohibition. Since the only alcohol anyone could get at the time was homemade, much of it didn't taste great, so people began adding extra ingredients to drinks to mask the taste.

Does an Old Fashioned have fruit? ›

The fruit in an Old Fashioned is an integral part of the drink. If you're just dropping in a cherry and an orange and the end, may God have mercy on your soul. The fruit should be muddled along with the sugar and bitters.

Can I use granulated sugar instead of sugar cube in Old Fashioned? ›

Sugar cube replacements.

If you don't have sugar cubes, you can use 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and muddle it with the bitters and water. You can also use 1 teaspoon of simple syrup in place of both the sugar cube/granulated sugar and water.

Which bitter is best for Old Fashioned? ›

Angostura Aromatic Bitters

This reddish-brown bitters provides a fragrant bouquet of fruits and spices, and it's an essential ingredient for any classic Old Fashioned.

What bitters to use in an Old Fashioned? ›

When getting started with the Old Fashioned, you should always use Angostura bitters. Angostura bitters is the ubiquitous benchmark aromatic bitters and always the default choice when no brand is specified. Angostura bitters always works.

What is the best whiskey to make an Old Fashioned? ›

The 8 Best Whiskeys for Old Fashioneds
  • Old Hamer Straight Rye. ...
  • Kuiper Belt Aged 8 Years Straight Kentucky Bourbon. ...
  • Sipes' Double Oaked Smoked Barrel Bourbon. ...
  • Bare Knuckle Straight Wheat Whiskey. ...
  • Border Bourbon. ...
  • Trail's End Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. ...
  • Four Roses Yellow Label.
Sep 2, 2022

Why don't you shake an Old Fashioned? ›

DO NOT shake an Old Fashioned, always stir it. This has nothing to do with temperature but everything to do with texture. Shaking it will add air and water, diluting the co*cktail too quickly. Since the drink is primarily spirit, all you have to do is gently stir with ice, allowing for a smooth, velvety texture.

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