Old Fashioned
How to mix a perfect Old Fashioned. A minimalist cocktail of whiskey, sugar, and bitters that celebrates the character of the spirit.
Strengthvery strong
GlassTumbler
BaseWhiskey
GarnishOrange peel
Description
The Old Fashioned is more than just a cocktail; it's an institution. It is considered one of the forefathers of mixed drinks and embodies the pure, unadulterated art of cocktail making. Its minimalist formula – spirit, sugar, water, bitters – serves to enhance and highlight the base spirit, typically bourbon or rye whiskey, rather than masking it. A well-made Old Fashioned is a slow, contemplative drink that evolves in the glass as the ice melts. It is the perfect cocktail to celebrate the quality of a good whiskey and to wind down a quiet evening.
Preparation
- Place a sugar cube in a chilled tumbler glass.
- Add two dashes of Angostura Bitters onto the sugar cube and a small splash of water.
- Muddle the sugar cube with a muddler or the back of a bar spoon and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, creating a syrup.
- Add one large, solid ice cube to the glass. Large ice cubes melt more slowly and do not dilute the drink as quickly.
- Pour the whiskey over the ice.
- Gently stir the drink in the glass for about 20-30 seconds to chill and slightly dilute it.
- Squeeze a wide orange peel over the glass to express its oils onto the surface of the drink, rub the rim of the glass with it, and then drop the peel into the drink.
