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)

Step 2.

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

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

Sazerac 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

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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

Why do bartenders put soda water in Old Fashioned? ›

She says the tradition of adding soda and fruit to an Old Fashioned goes back to Prohibition. Since the only alcohol anyone could get at the time was homemade, much of it didn't taste great, so people began adding extra ingredients to drinks to mask the taste.

Do you stir Old Fashioned? ›

DO NOT shake an Old Fashioned, always stir it. This has nothing to do with temperature but everything to do with texture. Shaking it will add air and water, diluting the co*cktail too quickly. Since the drink is primarily spirit, all you have to do is gently stir with ice, allowing for a smooth, velvety texture.

What kind of bitters do you use for an Old Fashioned? ›

We use two or three dashes of Angostura bitters, which are sold in most liquor stores. A well-stocked store or a quick online search will give you a world of options for more varieties of of bitters. I also add some fruit. The amount of fruit in an Old Fashioned depends on who's making it.

What your co*cktail says about you Old Fashioned? ›

If you prefer classic co*cktails like the martini or old-fashioned, you are a refined individual with a taste for timeless elegance. You appreciate the finer things in life and enjoy a traditional approach to co*cktails. You're sophisticated and elegant, and you value quality over quantity.

What is the difference between a Wisconsin old fashioned and a regular Old Fashioned? ›

a wisconsin old fashioned is not your typical old fashioned; it muddles sugar, bitters and orange with brandy and finishes with a crisp pour of soda for a sparkling version of a classic.

Should you muddle the orange peel in an Old Fashioned? ›

Of all the additions to the Old Fashioned over the years, the orange peel has become the most welcome. However, it's also best not to add an entire orange slide and muddle it in the glass. Instead, use only a portion of the peel, shaved off the fruit with as little pith as possible, as your garnish.

Is rye whiskey or bourbon better for Old Fashioned? ›

Consequently, some traditionalists insist an Old-Fashioned should be made with rye, but bourbon is equally correct and the choice of whiskey should be entirely up to the personal taste of the drinker. Bourbon makes a mellow, slightly sweeter drink, while rye adds more spice and kick.

How to improve an Old Fashioned? ›

Upgrade Your Old Fashioned With These Bartender Tips
  1. Use High-Proof Whiskey... ...
  2. ...Or Forget the Whiskey. ...
  3. Give It Fire Power. ...
  4. Experiment With Sweeteners and Bitters. ...
  5. Simplicity Is Key. ...
  6. Use Big Ice. ...
  7. Stick to the Classic Formula. ...
  8. But Always Keep an Open Mind.
May 18, 2017

What kind of cherry do you put in an Old Fashioned? ›

Garnishes: Garnish your old fashioned with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Are orange bitters and Angostura bitters the same? ›

ANGOSTURA® orange bitters is made from its own unique secret recipe and doesn't contain any of the ingredients in ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters. Superior quality and flavour when compared with any other orange bitters. Well matched with desserts like chocolate, fudge, jams and jellies and ice cream.

Do bitters need to be refrigerated? ›

On average, bitters last around 5 years.

However, there's no need to refrigerate bitters. Even though there are organic compounds in bitters, the amount of alcohol acts as a natural sterilizer and preservation agent. So, feel free to leave it on your bar cart or in your liquor storage cabinets without having to worry.

What is a dirty Old Fashioned? ›

“Dirty” because it involves the orange of an Old Fashioned as well as the cherry juice that is usually a ghost of a flavour from the cherry at the bottom of a Manhattan. These two elements combined add the sweetness of the drink and provide the “dirty” element, similar to the olive juice in a martini.

What drink is close to an Old Fashioned? ›

Sazerac. The Sazerac is probably the closest drink to an Old Fashioned, that isn't an Old Fashioned. So if you like one, bets are you'll like the other.

Is an Old Fashioned a gentleman's drink? ›

But, while it's often portrayed as a “gentleman's drink”, this classic co*cktail is growing in popularity with all genders and many empowered spirit drinkers are fighting back against decades of marketing that has established these gender stereotypes.

Why is soda water used in co*cktails? ›

These drinks tend to be lighter in flavor. Along with the carbonation, the mineral flavors are what make soda water a great ingredient to have on hand when making summer co*cktails. With that in mind, here are a few popular co*cktails that contain soda water: Tom Collins.

Why do you add water to an old fashioned? ›

Old Fashioned Ingredients

Simple syrup: Use store-bought simple syrup or make your own at home. Water: A teaspoon of water helps bring out the flavor of the bourbon.

What is soda water called at a bar? ›

Club soda and seltzer water are interchangeable with little to no flavor change, but tonic water should not substitute club soda or seltzer.

When a recipe calls for soda water What does it mean? ›

Soda or soda water: Carbonated water, or water that has been made bubbly by injecting it with carbon dioxide gas (CO2). No strong taste. Note: In some parts of the world, “soda” can mean a sweet, flavored carbonated beverage. Seltzer or seltzer water: Same as above — carbonated water. It just has a different name.

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