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The gin Old Fashioned is a riff on the classic Old Fashioned, made with Old Tom Gin, orange bitters, Angostura bitters, and rich demerara syrup. It’s a citrusy, spirit forward, and more botanical Old Fashioned that will change the way you think of gin.
This cocktail is highly deceptive because it looks exactly like a bourbon Old Fashioned. Make one for a friend without telling them what it is and watch their mind be blown when they have no idea what they drank. Imagine a less botanical gin with sweeter, bourbon-like characteristics—basically, a world of opportunity for spinning classic whiskey cocktails into new gin variations.
Table of Contents
Brief History
Old Tom gin is a type of gin dating back to the 1800s that went out of style half a century ago. London dry gin grew in demand after Prohibition and Old Tom gin was out. Old Tom gin is typically aged in wine or bourbon barrels, taking on a darker caramel color and less piney characteristics.
Looking for more gin cocktails? Try the Bee’s Knees, Aviation cocktail, and a Tuxedo No. 2 cocktail.
Ingredients
- Old Tom gin: barrel aged gin. Look for Ransom as it’s very popular and one of my favs.
- Simple sugar/rich demerara syrup: simple syrup is a 50-50 mix of table sugar and hot water. It’s the best way to sweeten cocktails since it easily mixes. You can also use demerara sugar (typically 2:1) in place of table sugar. This has become the gold standard for dark spirits for its richer, darker flavor.
- Lemon peel: strictly referring to the lemon peel. Expressing a lemon over the cocktail will add a burst of refreshing citrus.
- Orange bitters: I like orange bitters in this variation because it ups the citrus aspect and plays on the characteristics of gin.
- Aromatic bitters: Angostura bitters are readily available and a classic option for the Old Fashioned.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
How to Make a Gin Old Fashioned
Step 1.
In a mixing glass or Boston shaker, combine gin demerara syrup, and bitters. Fill the mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously about a dozen times.
Step 2.
Strain into a double old-fashioned glass over a giant ice cube.
Step 3.
Squeeze lemon peel over glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel and add to the glass.
Expert Tips
- When expressing the lemon peel, 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. This works best with two hands.
- Chill your glasses in the freezer. A cold glass prevents warming and keeps your drink colder for longer.
- Always stir an Old Fashioned. This will limit the amount of dilution.
- A giant ice cube is designed to melt slower due to its size, causing less dilution. If you’re serious about making cocktails, invest in a clear ice maker. Clear ice cubes taste better and melt even slower.
More Cocktails You’ll Love
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Gin Old Fashioned Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Old Tom gin, Ransom
- 1/4 ounce rich demerara syrup, or regular simple syrup
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 2 dashed Angostura bitters
- 1 lemon peel
Instructions
- In a mixing glass or Boston shaker, combine gin demerara syrup, and bitters. Fill the mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously about a dozen times.
- Strain into a double old-fashioned glass over a giant ice cube.
- Squeeze lemon peel over glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel and add to the glass.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
