how to make a classic Old Fashioned

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Ingredients

1 ½ Parts Bourbon

45 ml Bourbon

1 ½ oz Bourbon
½ Parts Simple Syrup

15 ml Simple Syrup

½ oz Simple Syrup
3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange Zest

Orange Zest

Orange Zest
Ice Cubes

Ice Cubes

Ice Cubes

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WRITTEN BY: MICHAEL BERGSTRÖM
ADDITIONAL TEXTS BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

Indulge in the timeless allure of the Old Fashioned. While it might seem intimidating due to its legendary status, it’s actually deceivingly simple to make. Mastering it, however, is a whole other matter.

An Old Fashioned is the perfect cocktail to set the mood and impress your guests with minimal effort. With just a few ingredients and a touch of finesse, you can turn any gathering into an occasion and transport your guests to a bygone era of elegance and charm.

How To Make an Old Fashioned

What You’ll Need

Rocks Glass
Jigger or Measuring Instrument
Bar Spoon
Peeler (for Orange Zest)

How to Mix

Grab a Rocks Glass and add Simple Syrup or Sugar.
Add half of your Whiskey, a few dashes of Bitters, and Ice.
Stir, add the rest of your Whiskey and top up with more Ice.
Garnish with a nice big Orange Zest and enjoy!

Watch Rico Make an Old Fashioned

thumbnail image for youtube id: WVaMydVSnb0

What is an Old Fashioned Cocktail?

The Old Fashioned is a classic and sophisticated cocktail that dates back to the 19th century, and arguably the most well-known Whiskey cocktail.

With just a few ingredients—Bourbon, Simple Syrup, and Bitters, garnished with an Orange twist—it’s easy to make, yet its timeless appeal lies in its complex, rich flavor profile.

This iconic drink has stood the test of time and is the epitome of tradition and refinement.

What Does an Old Fashioned Taste Like?

The flavor profile of an Old Fashioned is both complex and sophisticated. Simultaneously sweet, spicy and smooth, its blend of Bourbon, Bitters, and Simple Syrup creates a warm, sweet flavor profile while the Orange Zest adds a subtle citrus note adding to the drink’s complexity.

It’s like sipping on a timeless, refined concoction that exudes warmth and elegance.

The History of the Old Fashioned

One of the first written records of the term ‘Cocktail’ can be found in one of the first ever published cocktail books from 1806. In it, the “Cock-tail” is described as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.” Sound familiar?

The earliest iteration of an Old Fashioned comes from the first-ever published book on drink recipes from 1862, although the recipe originally called for Holland Gin aka Genever. The DNA of the ’cocktail’ evolved as bartenders added dashes of Absinthe for an ‘Improved Cocktail’ or Curaçao for a ‘Fancy Cocktail.’

However, not all customers appreciated this evolution. A small rebellious movement emerged, demanding ‘Old Fashioned Cocktails’ and rejecting the ’silly’ modern variations. Over time, Whiskey became the preferred choice, and the name was shortened to the familiar Old Fashioned we know today!

Tips for Making the Perfect Old Fashioned Cocktail

During the craft cocktail revival in 1990s London, a specific ritual surrounding the Old Fashioned gained a cult-like following. It involved multiple stages and took approximately 5 minutes to make. Some argued that it needlessly overcomplicated the recipe, while others saw it as a tribute to the Old Fashioned, paying utmost respect to the royalty of cocktails.

Here’s how it’s done:

Place a bar napkin on top of a Tumbler Glass and put a sugar cube on it.
Douse the sugar cube in Angostura Bitters until fully soaked, allowing the napkin to absorb any excess bitters.
Drop the soaked Sugar Cube into the glass, add a splash of Soda Water, and muddle the Sugar until almost dissolved.
Stir in ⅓ of the Whiskey, then add 2-3 Ice Cubes and continue stirring.
Gradually add another ⅓ of the Whiskey with a few more Ice Cubes and keep stirring.
Finally, pour in the remaining Whiskey, give it a last stir, and top it off with a few more Ice Cubes.
Finish by garnishing with a generous zest of Orange, ensuring to rub the zest over the rim of the glass to release the aromatic oils.

Expert Tip! Make sure to zest your Orange while holding it above the drink to capture all those yummy aromatic oils!

Complicated? Somewhat. Delicious? Definitely! Now that’s how to make an Old Fashioned!

Variations of an Old Fashioned Cocktail

Almond Old Fashioned
The Almond Old Fashioned offers a delightful twist on the old classic, featuring Scotch Whisky, Orange Bitters, and a touch of Amaretto, creating a wonderful blend of smoky, citrusy, and nutty flavors. Discover how to make an Almond Old Fashioned.
The Absolut Gangster
If you really want to mix things up and marry the old world with the new world, then you’ve got to try Rico’s own ‘Absolut Gangster’ – a Vodka-based Old Fashioned. It uses Absolut Vodka, Clove Bitters, Lillet Blanc and Simple Syrup. Watch Rico make The Absolut Gangster!

Serving and Garnish Ideas for Old Fashioned

OK, when it comes to serving and garnishing, there are many cocktails that allow for rule-bending. The Old Fashioned is not one of them. No, no – an Old Fashioned should always be served in a Rocks Glass.

Aside from tradition and elegance, the wide, sturdy base of the glass allows for muddling and stirring, while the short, heavy design helps maintain the drink’s chill without dilution. Watch this video to see how to muddle.

As for the Orange Zest garnish, it adds a delightful citrus aroma and a hint of bright, fresh flavor to complement the rich, deep notes of the Bourbon and Bitters. It’s the final touch of elegance to an already classic cocktail.

What Is the Difference Between Manhattan and Old Fashioned?

You could say that the Manhattan is kind of an evolution from the Old Fashioned. Both stem from the Whiskey Cocktail, but where the Old Fashioned uses Sugar for its sweet component, the Manhattan instead calls for Sweet Red Vermouth. The Manhattan is also served in a chilled Cocktail Glass, rather than a Rocks Glass.

If you love the Old Fashioned, you should definitely give the Manhattan a try. Both are stiff drinks with a nice backbone of Whiskey and spice, rounded delicately with either Sugar or Vermouth.

What Kind of Sugar is Used in an Old Fashioned?

Any type of Sugar can and has been used in an Old Fashioned by creative bartenders worldwide. White refined might be the most common but Demerara, Brown Sugar, Muscovado, Coconut Sugar etc., can be used. They all give a slightly different character to your drink, so try to experiment and find out what you like!

Which Bitters Should You Use in an Old Fashioned?

We recommend Angostura Bitters. Made from a recipe of herbs and spices, Angostura Bitters add depth and complexity with hints of cinnamon, clove, and gentian. Their well-balanced and aromatic profile perfectly complements the Whiskey and Sugar in an Old Fashioned.

Overall, Angostura Bitters are more versatile than Orange bitters. But of course, which type is down to personal taste.

Where Was the Old Fashioned Invented?

The precise origin of the Old Fashioned is a matter of contention. One popular story suggests that the drink was created at a private gentleman’s club in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 1880s, but this cannot be verified.

When Was the First Old Fashioned Made?

Although the exact date is not known, the recipe for the cocktail dates back the early 1800s, although, back then, it was called the Whiskey Cocktail. It was until the late 1880s and 1890s that the name “Old Fashioned” was used in cocktail books.

Should I Use Bourbon or Whiskey in my Old Fashioned?

Either works well – the choice really depends on the drinker’s preference. Some people prefer Bourbon, others prefer Whiskey. Bourbon is slightly sweeter, while Whiskey is spicier.