Elliott Clark is the founder and Chief Home Bartending Officer of Apartment Bartender. A lifestyle and co*cktail blog focused on creative drink recipes, home bartending how to’s and other random shenanigans.
updated Oct 23, 2023
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This step-by-step guide to making the best Old Fashioned co*cktail in the comfort of your own home.
Makes1 co*cktailJump to Recipe
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In the world of co*cktails, the Old Fashioned is the person who walks into a room and doesn’t need an introduction. They’ve been in the game for so long that everyone knows them. Everyone admires and respects them. As co*cktail recipes pop up and disappear by the season, the Old Fashioned remains. It represents everything a well-crafted co*cktail should be: balanced. It’s simply the best, and you can have the best right in the comfort of your own home.
Making the best Old Fashioned at home is really easy. Simplicity is the name of the game here. Bourbon whiskey, a little sugar, and a dash of bitters, stirred up with quality ice and garnished with an orange peel — that’s all there is to it! Let’s break it down a little bit, starting with the ingredients.
Quick Overview
How To Make an Old Fashioned co*cktail
- Mix the co*cktail. Place the bourbon, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass. Add the ice and stir with a bar spoon for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Strain the co*cktail.Strain the co*cktail into a rocks glass over cubed ice.
- Garnish the co*cktail.Rub the peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass.
Ingredients in an Old Fashioned
Bourbon
Bourbon whiskey is the star of the show when it comes to the Old Fashioned. It stands out front and center, which is why you want to choose a quality bourbon whiskey to use. No need to break the bank on a bottle; a $20 to $30 price range should do the trick. A few quality bottles of bourbon whiskey are Bulleit, Four Roses, 1792, and Elijah Craig Small Batch. Those are a few of my personal favorites.
Even though the bourbon whiskey steals the spotlight, the sugar and bitters are no slackers. They take the award for best supporting actors, and help tame the bite whiskey brings.
Ever wondered? What’s the Difference Between Whiskey and Bourbon?
Simple Syrup
I recommend that the sugar used in the Old Fashioned be in the form of a simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water). Simple syrup blends best when mixing co*cktails because it’s already in liquid form. Some co*cktail purists advocate for only using sugar cubes when making an Old Fashioned, but I find it to be annoying having to muddle and stir a sugar cube until all the minuscule sugar crystals dissolve. A simple syrup is the easier, smarter choice.
Get the recipe: How To Make Simple Syrup
Bitters
Next up, bitters. If you’ve been reading this thinking, “What the heck are bitters?” then let me explain. Bitters are the salt and pepper of the co*cktail world; that’s the best way to put it. They’re small alcoholic tinctures made with a blend of herbs and spices, and range in various flavors.
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For an Old Fashioned, Angostura bitters are the standard. They help to bind ingredients, enhance flavors, and round out the co*cktail. We’ve all experienced a meal that was good but seemed to be missing something … perhaps a little salt? It’s the exact same with co*cktails and bitters. Just like salt, though, a little bit goes a long way. Add too much of the bitters and you completely change the taste and flavor profile of the Old Fashioned. You only need a couple dashes!
Building Your Old Fashioned
When mixing co*cktails, the process generally falls into two camps: shaken or stirred. An Old Fashioned is a stirred co*cktail. For a general rule of thumb, if a co*cktail contains only spirits, then you want to stir. If a co*cktail contains juice, dairy, or egg white, then you shake it.
When building your Old Fashioned, combine all of the ingredients into a mixing glass before adding the ice. I highly recommend using cubed ice from the grocery store or ice cubes formed from filtered water. Remember that the water that dilutes from your ice will be in your drink, so it matters!
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Classic Old Fashioned co*cktail
This step-by-step guide to making the best Old Fashioned co*cktail in the comfort of your own home.
Makes1 co*cktail
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 ounces
bourbon whiskey
- 1/4 ounce
simple syrup
- 2 dashes
Angostura bitters
Ice
Orange peel, for garnish
Equipment
Mixing or pint glass
Bar spoon
Hawthorne strainer
Jigger or small liquid measuring cup
Paring knife or Y-peeler
Rocks glass
Instructions
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Mix the co*cktail: Place the bourbon, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass. Add the ice and stir with a bar spoon for 10 to 15 seconds.
Strain the co*cktail: Strain the co*cktail into a rocks glass over one large ice cube, or cubed ice.
Garnish the co*cktail: Pare an orange peel and express the oils from the back of the peel over the old fashioned. Rub the peel around the rim of the glass and drop the peel into the glass.
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As someone deeply immersed in the world of co*cktails and home bartending, I can assure you that mastering the art of creating the perfect Old Fashioned is not just a skill but an experience. My name is Elliott Clark, and I am not only an enthusiast but also the founder and Chief Home Bartending Officer of Apartment Bartender, a renowned lifestyle and co*cktail blog. My passion lies in crafting creative drink recipes, providing home bartending how-to's, and engaging in various shenanigans related to the world of mixology.
Now, let's delve into the intricacies of the article you've presented, breaking down the concepts related to recipes, beverages, and co*cktails:
1. Old Fashioned co*cktail: A Timeless Classic
In the realm of co*cktails, the Old Fashioned is an iconic figure, akin to a seasoned veteran who commands respect without the need for an introduction. It embodies the essence of a well-crafted co*cktail—timeless and balanced.
2. Key Concepts for Crafting the Best Old Fashioned at Home
a. Ingredients:
- Bourbon Whiskey: The star of the Old Fashioned, choosing a quality bourbon is paramount. Recommendations include Bulleit, Four Roses, 1792, and Elijah Craig Small Batch, emphasizing that a $20 to $30 range is sufficient.
- Simple Syrup: While some advocate for sugar cubes, I recommend using a simple syrup for its ease of integration. It dissolves seamlessly, contributing to the overall simplicity of the co*cktail.
b. Bitters:
- Angostura Bitters: Described as the salt and pepper of the co*cktail world, bitters are essential. Angostura bitters, a standard for the Old Fashioned, play a crucial role in binding ingredients, enhancing flavors, and achieving balance. A small amount goes a long way.
c. Building Your Old Fashioned:
- The process of mixing an Old Fashioned involves stirring, not shaking. This aligns with the general rule that co*cktails containing only spirits should be stirred.
- Use a mixing glass to combine bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters before adding quality ice cubes, emphasizing the importance of ice quality as it contributes to the drink's dilution.
d. Garnish:
- The final touch involves garnishing with an orange peel. Expressing the oils from the peel over the co*cktail adds a layer of aroma and flavor.
3. Recipe: Classic Old Fashioned
Here's a condensed version of the Old Fashioned recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice
- Orange peel (for garnish)
- Equipment:
- Mixing or pint glass
- Bar spoon
- Hawthorne strainer
- Jigger or small liquid measuring cup
- Paring knife or Y-peeler
- Rocks glass
- Instructions:
- Mix the co*cktail in a mixing glass.
- Strain the co*cktail into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
In conclusion, crafting the perfect Old Fashioned at home is a delightful and straightforward process, emphasizing the importance of quality ingredients, proper technique, and a dash of creativity. Cheers to the art of home bartending!
