The Old Fashioned
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Ask any cocktail bartender what drinks they get asked to make most often, and almost surely the Old Fashioned will be in the top 5. This is the original cocktail, dating all the way back to the 1800s. At that time, drinks were simple, and the original whiskey cocktail was just 4 ingredients: whiskey, water, sugar, and bitters.
Over time, people started adding things to this classic cocktail, mixing in different flavors, spirits, and fruits, and this is how the term evolved. If you wanted to order the original version of the simple whiskey cocktail, you'd ask for it the old fashioned way - hence, the Old Fashioned.
Add the sugar cube, bitters, and water to a mixing glass. Using a muddler, break down the sugar so that it becomes mostly dissolved - you'll want to leave just a little bit of sugar undissolved, which will sit at the bottom of your cocktail, making the drink slowly taste sweeter as you drink it. Once you have the sugar mostly dissolved, add in your alcohol of choice (bourbon or whiskey) and ice to cover the drink. Stir for about 20 rotations seconds to chill the drink and strain into a rocks glass. Lastly, take your orange and peel a strip about 3 inches long. Twist the peel over the drink to release the essential oils into the drink, and rub the peel along the rim before dropping it in the liquid. Check out more classic cocktails here! |
