Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp water
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ice – large cube
- orange – wide strip peel, expressed (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Add the granulated sugar and Angostura bitters to a rocks glass, then add the water. Muddle until the sugar is mostly dissolved into a paste, 20–30 seconds.
2. Pour in the bourbon and stir to dissolve any remaining sugar, 10–15 seconds.
3. Add a large ice cube and stir until the glass feels very cold and the drink is slightly diluted, 20–30 seconds.
4. Express the orange peel over the surface, rub the rim with the oils, then place the peel in the glass and serve immediately.
The Old Fashioned is a spirit-forward cocktail built on whiskey, bitters, sugar, and water, highlighting the base spirit with gentle sweetness and aromatic spice. Served over a single large cube, it delivers a silky texture and balanced dilution, while a twist of orange peel adds bright citrus oils to the nose. The drink is minimalist yet nuanced, rewarding careful stirring and quality ingredients.
Its history traces back to the earliest definition of the “cocktail” in 1806—spirits, sugar, water, and bitters—before elaborate mixtures became fashionable later in the 19th century. As bartenders introduced more complex drinks, patrons began requesting their whiskey made the “old-fashioned” way, lending the drink its name. By the late 1800s it was firmly established, with later regional variations emerging, such as the Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned, but the core template has remained a cornerstone of American cocktail culture.