A Perfect Classic Old-Fashioned

A Little History

The old-fashioned is one of the most basic, but also one of the most iconic cocktails. Developed in the late 1800’s, it is a combination of three ingredients (there are tons of variations on this, but they’re not worth acknowledging).

If you like whiskey, this is the drink for you. It is booze forward, and packs quite the punch, as the drink is almost entirely alcohol. If Don Draper drinks it, it means it’s one classy cocktail, right?

Speaking of Mad Men, Peggy Olsen once said: “You need three ingredients for a cocktail. Vodka and Mountain Dew is an emergency.” Boy was she right.

You Can Keep Your Cherry

Before sharing a purist recipe with you, it must be explained why there is no cherry. Well, because the cherry might very well be the biggest abomination to ever grace this cocktail! Ditch the fancy fruit, dude. Keep it pure, keep it classic and stop muddling fruit into your gorgeous cocktail.

The orange peel garnish is about the oil and aromatics that open up the flavor of the cocktail. When you squeeze that orange peel, you’ll smell it all over your hands and around your drink making station (it’s divine). The same can’t be said about the cherry.

It was once very common to add water or carbonated water to an old-fashioned, but thank goodness the cocktail world has moved away from that. Truth is, if you stir long enough, your ice melts and you create this dilution yourself. Sometimes you have to put in work for the worthwhile things.

The Recipe

Old-Fashioned

A classic cocktail developed during the 19th century. Made with a combination of whiskey, bitters, sugar, and orange zest.

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Course: Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bourbon, classic, delicious, flavorful, whiskey

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 155kcal

Cost: $5

Equipment

• 1 Rocks Glass
• 1 Stirring Spoon
• 1 Jigger
• 1 Citrus Peeler

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Whiskey (Whichever kind you prefer)
• .75 oz. Simple Syrup
• 2-4 dashes Aromatic Bitters
• 1 Slice Orange Peel

Instructions

• Fill rocks glass with ice
• Add bitters to glass
  2-4 dashes Aromatic Bitters
• Add whiskey to glass
  2 oz. Whiskey
• Add simple syrup to glass
  .75 oz. Simple Syrup
• Stir all ingredients for 45 seconds
• Peel off slice of orange peel and squeeze over glass
• Wipe peel around rim of glass and drop inside cocktail
  1 Slice Orange Peel
• Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Sugar: 14g

Tried your hand at this recipe? We’re eager to see!Mention @manopauseman or tag #manopauseman!