Best Old Fashioned Recipe
Smooth, whiskey-forward and effortlessly classy, the Best Old Fashioned Recipe is your go-to homemade cocktail for cozy nights or festive gatherings. This recipe consistently ranks as one of the best recipes among friends and craft-cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon whiskey (or rye whiskey for spice—you can’t go wrong with Bulleit or Maker’s Mark)
- 1/2 tsp simple syrup (1:1 cane sugar dissolved in warm water) or 1 sugar cube (swap demerara sugar for richer flavor)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters (orange bitters work wonders, too)
- 1 large sphere or a handful ice (bigger is better—slower dilution!)
- 1 orange peel (use a swivel peeler for a neat twist)
- Optional garnish: Luxardo cherry (for a boozy pop)
Instructions
- Place the sugar cube (or simple syrup) in your rocks glass. Drop in two dashes of Angostura bitters. If using a sugar cube, add a splash of water—just enough to help muddle.
- Press the sugar and bitters together until the cube breaks down into a paste. A few gentle twists—don’t pulverize.
- Pour in 2 oz bourbon (or your preferred whiskey) and stir for about 15 seconds. This helps chill and slightly dilute for balance.
- Pop in a large ice cube or sphere. Give it another gentle stir—listen for that soft clink, a sign it’s perfectly mixed.
- Hold a twist of orange peel over the glass, skin-side down, and give it a good squeeze so the oils dance across the surface. Rub the rim with the peel, then drop it in.
- Crown your cocktail with a Luxardo cherry on a pick. Admire the amber glow, then sip slowly.
Notes
Tips: - Chill your mixing glass in the freezer for 5 minutes to keep things crisp. - If you’re brand-curious, try Buffalo Trace or Woodford Reserve for a smooth finish. - Always strain off excess syrup so the drink doesn’t feel cloying.
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