Easy Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

This classic old fashioned cocktail recipe is a sophisticated blend of bourbon or whiskey, angostura aromatic bitters, white sugar, and a splash of water. That is mixed together in a mixing glass, then strained into a old-fashioned glass. This classic cocktail is served with a large ice cube and garnished with an orange peel. This simple drink is a must try for all whiskey lovers.

You may be wondering why this drink is called an old-fashioned cocktail. The name of this cocktail recipe is taken from how the cocktail is made, the old-fashioned way. And can be traced all the back to the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Not only is an old fashioned a classic cocktail in name but also in the way it is made. This easy cocktail recipe is blended together and then sifted into a rocks glass. If you are looking for the best way to enjoy your favorite bourbon or whiskey, then this classic old fashioned recipe is a must try.

What's The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey

All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon, a bit confusing I know. Just look at bourbon being to whiskey like champagne is to wine. It's all in how the whiskey or bourbon is made. All bourbon must be made in the United States to be considered bourbon.

Whiskey is a fermented grain that is aged in barrels. The grain type and the type of barrels determine the variety of whiskey. Whiskey can be aged in barrels that have been previously used to make other types of liquor. They don't have to be barrels that were only used to make whiskey in. They can be casts that were used to make rum, port, or even sherry with.

In order to be bourbon there must be a minimum of 51% corn in its mash bill. The rest of the mash bill can be made up of rye, barley, and malted barley or wheat. The corn is what gives the bourbon its distinctive sweet flavor. To be a straight bourbon whiskey it must be aged in new charred oak casks for a minimum of two years.

The bourbon must be a minimum of 80 proof and only water can be added to the bourbon to bring the proof down. When it comes to bottling the bourbon no added flavoring can be added to the bourbon.

Either of these two types of liquors can be used to make an old fashioned, traditionally this cocktail was made with rye whiskey. A rye whiskey will offer a peppery taste. Whereas bourbon will have a more mellow slightly sweeter flavor profile, making it a bit of a sweeter drink.

What's The Best Whiskey To Use

We feel the best whiskey to make an old-fashioned with is the type of whiskey or bourbon you prefer. Our personal preference is Buffalo Trace but we have heard good things about Woodford Reserve. Maker's Mark is a good budget friendly bourbon. Whereas Whistle Pig rye whiskey is a great top shelf rye whiskey.

Of course, the type of whiskey or bourbon used is one of two elements that makes the best old-fashioned. The second element is that this classic cocktail is a stirred drink never shaken.

How To Make

As I said we prefer to make this classic drink with buffalo trace but the type of whiskey or bourbon is up to you. We feel the best bitters to use are angostura aromatic bitters, these can be found at any liquor store or in the liquor section at the grocery store. Aromatic bitters has a bouquet of fruits and spice fragrance that help to temper the sweetness of the sugar.

You will also need white sugar, water, an orange peel, or maraschino cherry to garnish with.

The white sugar is muddled together in a mixing glass with aromatic bitters and water until the sugar is nearly dissolved. Back in the day, a sugar cube was used, which does equal 1 teaspoon of sugar. We feel three dashes of angostura bitters are perfect but you may prefer two dashes.

Ice cubes are then added into the mixing class to help chill the drink down. Pour in your preferred choice of whiskey or bourbon. Stir slightly with a bar spoon to combine and chill the old fashioned.

Into a rocks glass or also known as a lowball glass add a clear large ice ball. Using a cocktail strainer strain the old fashioned cocktail into the rocks glass. Express the oil from an orange peel by twisting the orange peel over the glass, then use the orange peel as a garnish. You can also garnish this cocktail with a whole orange slice or maraschino cherries.

Modern drinkers may want to add a bit of a modern twist to this whiskey-based drink. This could be done by using simple syrup in replacement of the water and sugar. Or replace the orange peel with a lemon peel. But we say why change up a good thing and stick to how this whiskey cocktail was traditionally made.

If you enjoyed this old-fashioned recipe then another whiskey based drink recipe you may enjoy is our classic whiskey sour cocktail.