Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2024)

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By Shawn Williams

4.80 from 5 votes

Feb 14, 2019, Updated Nov 08, 2023

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A properly made Old Fashioned co*cktail is difficult to come by these days. Despite being an incredibly simple co*cktail, it’s often served as an overly sweet pulp bomb of orange flesh and muddled cherries. Let’s end the debate once and for all and learn how to make the classic Old Fashioned the correct way!

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2)

The Old Fashioned co*cktail dates back to the late 1800s. It’s said to have been created by bartender, James E. Pepper in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s a classic co*cktail made with whiskey (bourbon or rye), Angostura bitters, orange peel (or lemon), and a muddled sugar cube. It’s a fantastic whiskey-forward co*cktail with subtle sweetness and a bouquet of fresh citrus on the nose.

If you love the Old Fashioned co*cktail, you should also try the Sazerac co*cktail and the very similar Improved Whiskey co*cktail. If you want something a little sweeter and citrusy, look no further than the classic Whiskey Sour or my favorite Sidecar co*cktail.

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients
  • co*cktail Variations
  • How to Make Simple Syrup
  • How to Make an Old Fashioned
  • Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned
  • Expert Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Whiskey co*cktails
  • Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe

Ingredients

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (3)
  • Bourbon: I’ve suggested some of my favorite bourbons below. Use whatever you like best. While you can substitute for rye in a pinch, stick with bourbon if possible.
  • Simple sugar/demerara syrup: simple syrup is a 50-50 mix of table sugar and hot water. It’s the best way to sweeten co*cktails since it easily mixes. You can also use demerara sugar in place of table sugar. This has become the gold standard for whiskey co*cktails for its richer, darker flavor.
  • Orange peel: strictly referring to the orange peel. You should not be adding any orange flesh or muddling an orange wheel.
  • Bitters: Angostura bitters are readily available and a classic option for almost any whiskey co*cktail.
  • 20% saline solution: saline is an optional advanced ingredient in co*cktails to make the flavors pop. Just like in food, it’s used as a seasoning to enhance different flavors. Mix 80 grams of water with 20 grams of table salt. Stir until salt is dissolved.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.

co*cktail Variations

There are countless variations of the Old Fashioned. For a fall-inspired spin substitute sugar with maple syrup and garnish with a cinnamon stick. For gin lovers, try the gin Old Fashioned made with old Tom gin. For my favorite infused Old Fashioned, try my fig and vanilla-infused Old Fashioned.

How to Make Simple Syrup

You can purchase simple syrup (simple sugar) premade or you can easily make it right at home. I usually make my simple syrup with a 50-50 mix of sugar and water. Heat 1 cup of water on the stovetop and add one cup of table sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let cool, place in a sealable jar, and store in the fridge.

You can also make simple syrup in a Pyrex glass in the microwave. Microwave in intervals and stir in between. Simple syrup can be made with table sugar or demerara sugar (raw sugar), which is typically reserved for dark spirits or whiskey co*cktails.

How to Make an Old Fashioned

Step 1.

In a mixing glass or Boston shaker, combine simple syrup, bitters, and bourbon. Fill the mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously about a dozen times.

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (4)
Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (5)

Step 3.

Squeeze orange peel over the glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel, and add to the glass.

quick tip

Point the outer peel (non-pith side) outward facing the drink and gently squeeze the edges so the oils spray out over the top of the drink. If done properly, you can see the oils floating on the surface of your drink. This works best with two hands.

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (6)

Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned

I love bourbon because there are so many great options out there at the $25-$35 price point. My evergrowing list of favorite budget-friendly bourbons are:

  • Buffalo Trace
  • Larceny
  • Elijah Craig
  • Michter’s
  • Henry McKenna Single Barrel
  • Four Roses Single Barrel
  • Woodford Reserve
  • Eagle Rare
  • Knob Creek
  • Maker’s Mark

Expert Tips

  • Chill your glasses in the freezer. A cold glass prevents warming and keeps your drink colder for longer.
  • Always stir an Old Fashioned. Most whiskey co*cktails are stirred rather than shaken to limit the amount of dilution and oxygen infused into the drink.
  • A giant ice cube is designed to melt slower due to its size, causing less dilution. If you’re serious about making co*cktails, invest in a clear ice maker or make your own clear ice. Clear ice cubes taste better and melt even slower.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is simple syrup?

Simple syrup, also called simple sugar, is a liquid sweetener made with equal parts sugar and water.

Can I use any kind of bitters?

Look for Angostura aromatic bitters or Scrappy’s aromatic bitters.

What is considered a u0022dashu0022 of bitters?

A dash of bitters is a firm downward shake of the bottle so a small amount squirts out. You can alternatively tap the bottom of the bottle with the palm of your hand while holding it upside down, similar to hitting a glass ketchup bottle.

What’s the difference between an Old Fashioned and Manhattan?

Although often confused, a Manhattan is made with whiskey (bourbon or rye), bitters, and sweet vermouth.

More Whiskey co*cktails

Improved Whiskey co*cktail Recipe

Whiskey Sour Recipe

Manhattan co*cktail Recipe

Enjoy this recipe? If you made this co*cktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & areview in the comments!

4.80 from 5 votes

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 1 co*cktail

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Save

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (11)

How to make the classic old fashioned drink the right way. Bourbon, bitters, simple syrup (sugar cube), and an orange peel.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces bourbon or rye
  • 1/4 ounce 1 teaspoon simple syrup or demerara syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 orange peel, or lemon
  • optional 2 drops 20% saline solution, see note below

Instructions

  • In a mixing glass or Boston shaker, combine simple syrup, bitters, bourbon, and optional saline. Fill the mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously about a dozen times.

  • Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass over a giant ice cube.

  • Squeeze orange peel over the glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel, and add to the glass.

Notes

You can use 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar if you don’t have simple syrup.

A tip on expressing the oils from a peel: You want to point the outer peel (non-pith side) outward facing the drink and gently squeeze the edges so the oils spray out over the top of the drink. If done properly, you can see the oils floating on the surface of your drink.

Saline is an optional advanced ingredient in co*cktails to make the flavors pop. Just like in food, it’s used as a seasoning to enhance different flavors. Mix 80 grams of water with 20 grams of table salt. Stir until salt is dissolved. It’s best dispensed with a liquid dropper tool.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 6gSodium: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: co*cktail

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What was in the original Old Fashioned? ›

“The Old-Fashioned was an evolution of the Whiskey co*cktail which was simply whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water, and was served as early as 1800 or so.” It wasn't until the 1870s and 1880s that when bartenders “began adding embellishments to their Whiskey co*cktails, some customers rebelled against the innovations,” as ...

Do you use simple syrup or sugar cube for Old Fashioned? ›

Use Rich Simple Syrup

The sugar cube is one Old Fashioned tradition that can definitely be skipped. While many recipes call for it, it offers no advantage over using a rich simple syrup and has several disadvantages. Most obviously, you have to find and buy sugar cubes and a muddler.

How many dashes of bitters are in an Old Fashioned? ›

An Old Fashioned calls for two to three dashes of bitters—no more, no less—that are added to the glass once the sugar or simple syrup is in. While the amount seems small, having too many or too few dashes can dramatically change the taste makeup of the drink. The type and quality of bitters matters too.

What is the classic co*cktail formula? ›

Almost all the classic drinks you know and love, from the Daiquiri to the Gimlet or the Margarita come down to the same basic ratio: 2:1:1. That's two parts spirit, one part sweet, and one part sour, commonly known as the Golden Ratio.

What does an Old Fashioned contain? ›

In fact, it's Jack's favorite drink, so we always keep old fashioned ingredients on hand. They're super simple: whiskey (Jack likes rye), Angostura Bitters, a little sugar, ice, and an orange twist for garnish.

Did the original Old Fashioned have a cherry? ›

An Old Fashioned is a classic co*cktail made with bourbon, sugar, bitters, orange peel, and a cherry. It's considered the oldest co*cktail around and was the first alcoholic drink on the International Bartenders Association list of drinks.

How many drops of bitters are in an old fashion? ›

In an old fashioned glass- 1 sugar cube, a few drops of water, 4 dashes of bitters, followed by ice, then four roses (I want to say 5 ounces?).

What are the best bitters for an Old Fashioned? ›

Angostura makes perhaps the most ubiquitous bitters bottles out there, one that you'll see in nearly every bar - and one that you should have in your co*cktail arsenal at home. This reddish-brown bitters provides a fragrant bouquet of fruits and spices, and it's an essential ingredient for any classic Old Fashioned.

Do you use brown or white sugar in an Old Fashioned? ›

The classic recipe, according to most mixologists, calls for Brown Demerara sugar cubes. Sugar cubes are previously measured, allowing for consistent whiskey to bitters ratios. The Angostura aromatic bitters have a rich scent of fruits and spices and are a necessary component of any classic Old Fashioned co*cktail.

What is the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned? ›

A top-shelf choice, Woodford Reserve is often revered for its smooth and full-bodied character. With hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and a touch of spice, this bourbon adds a layer of sophistication to your Old Fashioned. It's an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more refined and complex co*cktail.

How to make an Old Fashioned taste better? ›

  1. Add 4-6 dashes of aromatic bitters.
  2. Add 1 teaspoon of Demerara syrup.
  3. Pour 2 ounces of whiskey. (or any other spirit you like!)
  4. Stir with ice until chilled.
  5. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
  6. Gently express an orange peel over the top of the drink.
  7. Old Fashioned. 2 oz spirit. 1 teaspoon sugar syrup.
Apr 14, 2019

Do you muddle the cherry in an Old Fashioned? ›

Some bartenders drop in a slice of orange or a cherry right before serving, and others will muddle the fruit into the drink; sometimes it's served with no fruit at all.

What is America's oldest co*cktail? ›

The famed Sazerac Coffee House was founded in New Orleans in 1850 and soon became known as the home of “America's First co*cktail,” the Sazerac. Using rye whiskey (in place of French brandy), a dash of Peychaud's Bitters, and Herbsaint, what eventually became the official co*cktail of New Orleans was created.

What is the strongest classic co*cktail? ›

While Hemingway suggests drinking “three to five of these slowly”, we would definitely have to disagree. And last on our list, but certainly not the least (amount of alcohol, that is), we have the Aunt Roberta. This co*cktail contains 100% liquor and is widely regarded as THE strongest co*cktail in the world.

Was the original Old Fashioned muddled? ›

When did Muddling Old Fashioneds Start? The basic old fashioned came from that original whiskey co*cktail in the 1800s, but when did the addition of fruit and muddling start? Muddling was first recorded in the 1880s -- bartenders were using lumps of sugar with a bit of water instead of prepared gum syrup.

What was the original co*cktail? ›

Accounts differ, but most experts agree that the first co*cktail was the Sazerac, a blend of whisky, absinthe, bitters and sugar. Created in New Orleans in the mid-1800s, this is one of the first co*cktails recognisable by name and remains a favourite to this day.

What is the difference between traditional and Old Fashioned? ›

Traditional is something that has been done a certain way for a long time. People do it over and over. For example, it is traditional to put a Christmas tree in our homes during December. Old-fashioned is something that used to be done a long time ago, but people don't do it anymore. For example, it is old-fashioned to ...

What's in an Old Fashioned vs Manhattan? ›

Both co*cktails call for whisky and Angostura bitters, but the defining factor lies in their sweetening agents. The Old Fashioned opts for straightforward sugar or syrup, helping to soften the whisky. In contrast the Manhattan favours a sweet vermouth – adding fruity and caramel flavours into the mix.

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