Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

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A properly made Old Fashioned cocktail is difficult to come by these days. Despite being an incredibly simple cocktail, 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 cocktail garnished with an orange peel.

The Old Fashioned cocktail 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 cocktail made with whiskey (bourbon or rye), Angostura bitters, orange peel (or lemon), and a muddled sugar cube. It’s a fantastic whiskey-forward cocktail with subtle sweetness and a bouquet of fresh citrus on the nose.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

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.
Sugar: most bars and restaurants substitute simple syrup in place of a sugar cube because it mixes/melts better than table sugar. If you do decide to use a sugar cube, a minuscule splash of club soda or water should be used to help muddle/dissolve the sugar.
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 cocktail.

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.

Stirring a whiskey cocktail ingredients in a mixing glass.

Step 2.

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

Pouring an Old Fashioned cocktail over a giant clear ice cube.

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.

Expressing an orange peel over an Old Fashioned cocktail with a giant ice cube.

Tips & Tricks

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. 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. Most whiskey cocktails 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 cocktails, invest in a clear ice maker or make your own clear ice. Clear ice cubes taste better and melt even slower.

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

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 “dash” 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.

Cocktail Variations

There are countless variations of the Old Fashioned. For a fall-inspired spin sweetened with maple syrup, try the Fall Old Fashioned. 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.

More Whiskey Cocktails

Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!