This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that was created in the 1800s and was first published in Modern American Drinks: How to Mix & Serve All Kinds of Cups, Cocktails, & Fancy Mixed Drinks by George Kappeler in 1895, making it one of the oldest cocktail recipes still made today. Several variations of the drink exist, but it’s traditionally made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar or simple syrup, bitters, and citrus.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Bourbon: This is a type of whiskey made in the United States with at least 51% corn, grains, malted barley, and water. I used Buffalo Trace Distillery Benchmark Bourbon.
Demerara Syrup: This is a sweetener made with Demerara sugar and water. I used this stovetop recipe.
Aromatic Bitters: This is a food product made with botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Angostura Aromatic Bitters.
Orange Bitters: This is a food product made with oranges, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Angostura Orange Bitters.
Orange Peel: This the peel of an orange that has been cut into a strip.
Cherries: This is a fruit that has been soaked in brandy and rich syrup. I used Luxardo Maraschino Cherries.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. I used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Orange-brown color
• Aroma: Spices and citrus
• Taste: Spicy bourbon flavor laced with spices and citrus
• Finish: More whiskey burn
Kendall’s Take: “This is arguably one of the most famous craft cocktails, if not the most famous. I’ve sipped one here and there when my friends have ordered them, but I was excited to sit down and really contemplate its flavors. The Old Fashioned is still a little too boozy for me on its own for now, so I can’t see myself remaking it. But I do like seasonal variations of the template that add in maple, pumpkin, etc. and have remade those since. I have to give it credit for what it is though and see why it’s beloved by so many.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
Old Fashioned
Description
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that was created in the 1800s and was first published in Modern American Drinks: How to Mix & Serve All Kinds of Cups, Cocktails, & Fancy Mixed Drinks by George Kappeler in 1895, making it one of the oldest cocktail recipes still made today. Several variations of the drink exist, but it's traditionally made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar or simple syrup, bitters, and citrus.
Ingredients
Method
Add bourbon, Demerara syrup, aromatic bitters, and orange bitters to a mixing glass.
Fill mixing glass with cubed ice.
Using a bar spoon, stir for 30-45 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
Add a clear ice cube to a lowball glass.
Using a julep strainer, strain into lowball glass.
Express orange peel over top, then drop into glass.
Garnish with cherries.
