The Old Fashioned is no stranger to spirited debate. Whether it’s deliberating the type of whiskey, sugar, or garnish, enthusiasts tend to draw a line and stand their ground. Some may prescribe muddling fruit, while the thought alone makes purists red in the face. And don’t even get started on what kind of fruit to use. How you make it says a lot about you. But truth be told, there’s no wrong way to enjoy the drink. As long as it is, in fact, enjoyed.
Here, in short, is how we make it: a sugar cube, no muddled fruit and garnished with an orange peel. We’re open to debate, but certainly prefer to do so over a drink. More detail below.
PREPARATION:
To start, you’ll need some good bourbon, an orange, a sugar cube, your homemade Aromatic Bitters and a splash of water.
Place the sugar cube in the bottom of an Old Fashioned glass and soak with 4-6 dashes (or drops) of Aromatic Bitters. Add a splash of water and muddle the sugar until it dissolves fully in the water and bitters. Only add enough water to dissolve the sugar.
Next, add ice. Either a few cubes or one large cube. And add 2 oz. bourbon.
The spirit selection is key, as it can vastly change the dynamic of the drink. Straight Kentucky bourbon is what we’re using, but you can also use rye or other types of whiskey if you so choose.
Using a vegetable peeler, remove a broad piece of orange peel. Bend, or squeeze, the peel over the drink as depicted above. This will express oils of the orange peel to the surface of the drink.
Garnish with the orange peel and enjoy.
OLD FASHIONED
Ingredients:
2 oz. bourbon
1 sugar cube
1 orange peel
4-6 dashes of Aromatic Bitters
Splash of water
Instructions:
- Place sugar cube in glass and soak with 4-6 dashes of Aromatic Bitters.
- Add a splash of water and muddle until sugar is fully dissolved.
- Add ice.
- Add bourbon.
- Take a section of orange peel and fold it over the drink to express its oils onto the drink’s surface.
- Garnish with orange peel and enjoy.
