Recipe: The Classic Old Fashioned

In its most basic form, an old fashioned is a combination of sugar, bitters, whiskey and a bit of water in a specialty glass with ice. Depending on your tastes or where you’re located, an old fashioned can also contain orange, lemon, simple syrup, cherries, club soda, Squirt or Sprite.

The liquor in an old fashioned can also vary from a traditional American whiskey to rye, bourbon or brandy. Some even swear by rum or mezcal! Here, we’ll show you how to make a traditional old fashioned. Before you get started, make sure you have a high proof, high-quality whiskey on hand.

Ingredients

• 1 sugar cube
• 1-2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 1-2 dashes of water
• 1-1/2 ounces whiskey
• Orange peel, optional

Tools

• Old fashioned glass
• Bar spoon
• Muddler
• Ice

Directions

Step 1: Muddle

To a standard old fashioned glass, add your sugar cube, 1 or 2 dashes of Angostura bitters (or a similar style of bitters) and a bar spoon’s worth of water. Use your muddler to crush the sugar cube until it has completely dissolved in the bitters and water.

Step 2: Ice

Once the sugar has dissolved, add a couple of ice cubes to your glass, then pour in the whiskey. Use your bar spoon to stir the drink for about 20 seconds, or until the whiskey has chilled.

Step 3: Garnish

If desired, garnish your old fashioned with an orange peel. Gently twist an orange peel over your cocktail so the oils are sprayed overtop. Then, drop the peel into the glass and enjoy your old fashioned.