Old Fashioned Cocktail

An Old Fashioned cocktail is a bourbon cocktail served over ice in an old-fashioned double glass. This version is made with simple syrup, and it produces a consistently delicious drink every single time.

This whiskey cocktail recipe is smooth, slightly sweet, and has a hint of orange zest flavor.

The history of this cocktail begins in 1880, in Louisville, Kentucky, at a Gentleman's Club named the Pendennis Club. James E. Pepper, a Bourbon aficionado, supposedly brought the original Old Fashioned Recipe to the Waldorf Astoria.

Later on, during prohibition, it's rumored that an "Old-Timer" was given a sugar cube in a glass splashed with a few dashes of Angostura bitters. The bartender then handed him a bottle of whiskey and told him to pour his drink.

You'll Need...

• A cocktail mixing glass and a bar spoon.
• Ice for mixing your cocktail.
• Craft ice for serving your cocktail.
• A jigger or shot glass.
• A y-peeler for peeling citrus
• A double rocks glass
• 4-inch cocktail picks

Old Fashioned Ingredients

• Bourbon. Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
• Simple Syrup. Use a rich simple syrup. A 2:1 sugar to water ratio.
• Old Fashioned Bitters. Fee Brother's Old Fashioned Bitters. (Alternatively, use Angostura Bitters)
• Orange Bitters. Fee Brother's Orange Bitters.
• Orange peel. Use a y-peeler to peel off a strip of orange peel.
• Luxardo cherries. Other cherries are fine, but Luxardo cherries are my absolute favorite.

Let's Get Started...

If you don't already have simple syrup, you can make some; it only takes a few minutes.

For cocktails, I use what's referred to as rock candy syrup or rich simple syrup, which has a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water.

How to make rock candy syrup

You'll need...

• ½ cup of granulated white sugar
• 1 cup of water
• A glass syrup bottle

PRO-TIP: Turbinado sugar can be used to make simple syrup, which gives the syrup and more caramel-like flavor. Turbinado sugar will take a little bit longer to dissolve.

1. Add the sugar to a small saucepan, and then add the water.
2. Set the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a low boil.
3. As soon as the mixture reaches a boiling temperature, turn the heat to low and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Let the simple syrup cool while you get your old-fashioned ingredients together.

How to peel citrus for cocktails

The easiest way to peel citrus when you are making cocktails is with a y-peeler.

Kuhn Rikon makes the best brand that I've found. This peeler is sharp and inexpensive. These peelers won't last forever, but they're cheap enough to replace when they do get dull. Amazon sells them in a 3-pack.

A y-peeler will give you a clean strip of the orange peel without any of the pith. I use these peelers with I make my homemade limoncello or arancello.

Craft ice cubes

Craft ice cubes are large format ice cubes that are used in cocktails. Sometimes they are spheres of ice or large squares. The large cubes melt slower, which prevents the cocktail from being diluted too quickly with melted ice.

You can find all sorts of craft ice trays in a variety of shapes. I own a sphere ice mold, a large ice cube mold, and two Darth Vadar ice molds. (I'm not nerdy at all 😜)

How to make an Old Fashioned

The best Old Fashioned recipe is stirred and not shaken. Stirring this cocktail will ensure that it stays clear and has a smooth mouthfeel.

1. Add ice to the cocktail mixing glass.
2. Place the craft ice into the double rocks glass.
3. Add 2 shots of bourbon. (approximately 3 ounces)
4. Add 2 dashes each of both the old fashion bitters and the orange bitters.
5. Add about 1 teaspoon of simple syrup.
6. Stir the cocktail and then pour and strain over the craft ice.
7. Garnish with Luxardo cherries and orange peel.

For an extra fancy twist, you can warm the orange peel with a lighter and then mist the orange oil from the peel over the top of the cocktail.

Variations

This original version of an old-fashioned was built in the glass by muddling a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, and water. Add whiskey and ice, stir and then garnish with an orange.

Later versions called for muddling a thin slice of orange (peel and all) and a Luxardo cherry along with the sugar cube and bitters.

In my opinion, they are all equally delicious. This version is simple and easy to make.

More Cocktail Recipes That You’ll Love

If you're thirsty for more cocktail recipes, try one of my Hawaiian cocktails or a sweet Lemon Drop Martini.