Crack the code to a classic cocktail evening at home with our step-by-step guide to mastering the perfect Old Fashioned.
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Guess which cocktail has been a mainstay at bars and lounges for more than a hundred years? As you might surmise from the name, it’s the ever-classy Old Fashioned! Just whiskey, sugar, bitters, and garnish. Simple as ever. But this drink is not just a pretty face; it’s sophisticated and balanced. Just like that reliable Little Black Dress of yours, the Old Fashioned never goes out of style.
If you’re already a fan of the Old Fashioned, two other solid contenders, the Manhattan and the Paper Plane, are well worth a sip. The Manhattan is like the fraternal twin of the Old Fashioned — both rock the whiskey base. On the other hand, the Paper Plane uses bourbon and a kiss of citrus. Because of their bases, both cocktails overlap in flavor with the Old Fashioned but still retain their own personality.
INGREDIENTS
Ready for some Old-Fashioned cocktail making? Here’s what you’ll need.
- 2 oz. bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp of loose sugar)
- 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1 splash of water
- 1 orange peel (for garnish)
- 1 cherry (for garnish)
Bar Utensils
- Old Fashioned glass
- mixing glass
- strainer (optional)
- bar spoon
- muddler
- jigger or measuring tool
INSTRUCTIONS
Muddle
In an Old Fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube (or loose sugar), a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and a splash of water.
Add
Add the whiskey, along with 1–2 large ice cubes. Stir well to combine, making sure the sugar is fully dissolved.
Garnish
Garnish your cocktail with a slice of orange peel and a cherry.
ENJOY!
How to Make a Healthy/Low-Calorie Old Fashioned
- Use a natural sweetener like Stevia or even a dab of honey.
- Cut back on the amount of whiskey used and you’ll cut back on the calories.
- For an Old Fashioned mocktail, swap the whiskey for a non-alcoholic substitute like Seedlip Spice 94 or Ritual.
Tips & Tricks to Making a Perfect Old Fashioned
- Opt for a high-quality whiskey (preferably bourbon or rye), and don’t compromise on the Angostura bitters.
- Start with less sugar and taste as you go along.
- To avoid a cloudy cocktail, don’t over-muddle the sugar and bitters.
- A brisk stir is all you need to mix the ingredients without diluting the drink excessively.
- Lightly twist the orange peel over the drink before dropping it in. This releases the essential oils.
FAQs
A regular Old Fashioned comes in at 150–200 calories, depending on your choice of whiskey and how sweet you like it to be.
You’re looking for a whiskey that is full-bodied but smooth. Bourbon’s on the sweeter side, with rye giving more spicy kick & complexity. As for brands, I recommend these: Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and Rittenhouse Rye.
The Old Fashioned is designed for slow sipping and savoring. Serve it cold, but ditch the straw – too much dilution too quickly and you could miss out on the full flavour.
Delicious Old Fashioned Variations
Brandy Old Fashioned: Replace the whiskey with brandy and muddle fruit at the base of the glass. This is a popular version in Wisconsin.
Tequila Old Fashioned: Give your Old Fashioned a Mexican twist by replacing the whiskey with reposado tequila.
how to prep and store an old fashioned
To prep Old Fashioned cocktails, whip up a big batch of that whiskey, sugar, and bitters mix, store it in an airtight container, and pop it in the fridge. When your friends show up, pour it over some ice, add the cute little garnish, and the drinks are ready to serve.
Any leftovers can go back in the fridge for 3–5 days. Just remember: ditch the fruit garnishes or they’re gonna muck up your delicious drink.
The Perfect Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 oz. bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 sugar cube or 1/2 tsp loose sugar
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 splash of water
- 1 orange peel (for garnish)
- 1 cherry (for garnish)
Instructions
-
In an Old Fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube (or loose sugar), a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and a splash of water.
-
Add the whiskey, along with 1–2 large ice cubes. Stir well to combine, making sure the sugar is fully dissolved.
-
Garnish your cocktail with a slice of orange peel and a cherry.
Notes
- To avoid a cloudy cocktail, don’t over-muddle the sugar and bitters.
- A brisk stir is all you need to mix the ingredients without diluting the drink excessively.
- Lightly twist the orange peel over the drink before dropping it in. This releases the essential oils.
Nutrition
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