Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

How to make an Old Fashioned – a American classic cocktail. Made with bourbon, rye or blended whisky, orange zest, bitters and honey simple syrup, elevating it to its fullest potential!

This Recipe for Old Fashioned cocktails is a classic

The Old Fashioned. So-called, in the late 1800s, because cocktails had become so encumbered with newfangled ingredients that bar patrons began to request the simpler, “old fashioned” concoctions they used to enjoy.  And the traditional Old Fashioned is about as simple as it gets: just bourbon (or rye) whiskey, sugar & bitters.  Easy, right?  It is.  But with so few ingredients, it’s crucial that each one shines.

What does an old-fashioned drink taste like?

An old-fashioned cocktail tastes earthy and caramelly with notes of vanilla and oak, with a lovely brightness from the orange zest. A few dashes angostura bitters add complexity.

Old Fashioned Drink ingredients

• Bourbon whiskey– (or substitute with rye whiskey). As good as you can afford without breaking the bank.  Old Forester’s “Signature 100 Proof” bourbon or Rittenhouse’s “100 Proof” rye are good entry-level choices.  But do your research! Whiskies vary radically, and with all the choices out there, it’s easy to pay too much money for an inferior product.  I’ll often check with www.whiskybase.com to see what the global community of whisky geeks thinks of different bottles.
• Orange zest- to give it a hint of brightness. This is an unorthodox take on the traditional orange peel garnish, but it imparts more flavor.  (*If you prefer to stick with convention, once the drink is made, cut a 3-4″ long strip of orange peel with a paring knife or vegetable peeler, sharply bend the strip with the skin (orange) side out to express the oils, then rub the bruised skin around the rim of the glass before dropping it in.)
• Honey simple syrup– adds a smooth, caramelly sweetness. Historical purists will opt to muddle a sugar cube in an empty glass, with bitters and/or a little water, until the sugar dissolves – but I prefer a honey simple syrup for its smoother texture.  Honey is a common characteristic of American whiskies, so it’s a nice fit.
• Angostura bitters- a few dashes of bitters for added complexity! Make your own bitters here!

How to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail

Step one: Fill a mixing glass with 2 ounces of bourbon or rye.

Step two: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to that.  

Step three: Now for the sweet part.  Add the honey simple syrup (see recipe card).

Step four: Finish with a few dashes of angostura bitters, then stir to combine.

Step five: Strain and serve over ice.

How to serve this Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

Serve over a large ice cube (the larger the ice cube, the slower it will melt and dilute the drink) set into an 8 or 10-ounce “rocks” or “old fashioned” glass.

Old Fashioned Garnish

Sometimes an unadorned glass of whiskey can be hard to beat.  The finest examples are flavorful, complex, and balanced – precisely what a great cocktail strives to be.  If all spirits were that impeccable we might never be inclined to add anything to them, but that is simply not the case – most whiskies could use a leg up.  And that, to me, is what this Old Fashioned cocktail is all about: giving the base spirit just enough of a nudge to help it realize its potential.

Other garnish Ideas– use a dried orange slice (or fresh slice of orange), cinnamon stick, star anise, or orange twist.

How to make this Old Fashioned Drink Recipe for a Crowd (8 servings)

1. In a quart mason jar- mix 3 ¼ cups of whiskey (750ml bottle), 3 tablespoons honey syrup, 1 tablespooon of bitters and 3 tablespoons of orange zest.
2. Taste test a sip over ice, and adjust sweetness and bitters to your liking.
3. Store covered, in a bottle or jar in the fridge or freezer until ready to use.
4. Have big ice cubes and rocks glasses at the ready, and pour over the ice.

Best Old Fashioned Recipe variations

• Use Rye Whisky instead of Bourbon!
• Use half brandy, half gin or half dark rum!
• Try maple syrup instead of honey syrup!
• Sub Mezcal for the bourbon, for a smoky Mexican Twist.
• Add a teaspoon water to soften the bite.
• Infuse your bourbon with a browned butter wash: Brown ¼ cup butter in a saucepan until nutty and golden, and let cool. Pour half of 750 mL bottle bourbon into a mason jar and gently stir. Leave the mixture uncovered until completely cool and the butter has become firm and risen to the top of the container, then freeze for up to 3 months. Skim off solids and strain through cheesecloth. The bourbon will keep for a few weeks at room temperature or keep in the freezer.

Hope you enjoy this Old Fashioned Cocktail recipe… let us know what you think in the comments below.

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