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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), Angostura bitters, orange (or lemon) peel, and a muddled sugar cube. Unfortunately, this isn’t what you’ll get at 90% of restaurants and bars if you order one.

Ingredients

Bourbon, sugar, bitters, orange PEEL. 4 simple elements plus ice. No orange pulp, no mashed cherries, not overly sweet, not watered down. I usually substitute simple syrup in place of a sugar cube since I always have it on hand and it obviously mixes better than sugar.

If you do decide to use a sugar cube, a small splash of club soda or water should be used to help muddle/dissolve the sugar.

Best Bourbon for 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

Addressing Proper Technique

Today, most Old Fashioneds are made improperly with muddled oranges and cherries (I cringe at the sight of these), while others add lots of club soda on top (please, don’t do this). Truth be told until I had a proper Old Fashioned, I thought this was actually the drink as it was intended to be.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir (never shake). Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass and squeeze/twist the orange peel over the cocktail to release the oil and flavors from the peel. It’s subtle but makes a massive difference in the final taste and aroma. Is it the same drink without it? No way.

The Peel is a Flavor Element, Not Just a Garnish

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 actually see an oily film floating on the surface of your cocktail. The aroma should hit your note as you sip.

Lastly, serve with a (giant) ice cube if you have on hand (they melt slower) and garnish with the orange peel. If you love Old Fashioned cocktails, invest in a giant silicone ice cube tray—you won’t regret it.

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