Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail (Bourbon or Rye)
Simple, strong, and endlessly stylish—the Old Fashioned is the original whiskey cocktail. With just a few ingredients—whiskey, sugar, bitters, and citrus—it delivers big flavor and a smooth finish that never goes out of style.
Whether you’re new to home bartending or a seasoned mixologist, the Old Fashioned is a must-master. It’s the perfect slow-sipping drink for unwinding, impressing guests, or pairing with a great steak or cigar. So cook it already!
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned
Classic and balanced – no mixers, just timeless flavor
Customizable – use bourbon or rye, orange or lemon, simple syrup or sugar cube
Easy to make – no shaker required, just stir and serve
Perfect for sipping – great for evenings, date nights, or dinner parties
Ingredients
2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey (you do you)
1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp simple syrup if you’re lazy, we won’t judge)
2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel (for that zesty finish)
Ice (big cube > small ones, trust us)
How to Make an Old Fashioned
1. Sweeten it up. Drop the sugar cube into your rocks glass. Hit it with the bitters and just a splash of water. Muddle until it turns into a syrupy base. If you’re using simple syrup, just stir it in with the bitters.
2. Add the good stuff. Pour in your whiskey. Give it a gentle stir—don’t go wild, just enough to blend it together
3. Ice, ice baby. Add one big ice cube if you’ve got it. It melts slower, chills better, and looks cooler. Take an orange peel, twist it over the glass to release those oils, then rub it around the rim.
4. Finish with flair. Drop it in. Optional: toss in a Luxardo cherry if you’re feeling extra.
Pro Tips:
Use large ice to slow dilution and chill evenly
Rye gives spice, bourbon brings sweetness – choose based on your taste
Don’t over-garnish – citrus oils are key, but keep it minimal
Make your own simple syrup for convenience: 1:1 sugar and water, stirred until dissolved
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Bar Tools We Recommend
Mixology & Craft 10-Piece Bar Tool Set: Complete with muddler, mixing spoon, jigger, and more—everything you need for classic cocktails. Buy on Amazon
Whiskey Glasses Set of 4: Heavy-base, old-fashioned glasses perfect for serving up your cocktail in style. Buy on Amazon
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds: Create large, slow-melting ice spheres for a smoother sip. Buy on Amazon
True Crafthouse Muddler: Crush sugar cubes and release citrus oils like a pro. Buy on Amazon
Cocktail Kingdom Japanese-Style Jigger: Sleek and precise for perfect measurements every time. Buy on Amazon
A Bar Above Mixing Glass: Durable, lead-free glass for stirring and chilling your cocktail the traditional way. Buy on Amazon
Ingredients We Recommend
Bulleit Bourbon (750 ml): A bold, spicy bourbon that balances beautifully in an Old Fashioned. Buy on Amazon
Angostura Aromatic Bitters (4 oz): A must-have for depth, spice, and aroma. Buy on Amazon
La Perruche Sugar Cubes: Fancy French sugar cubes that dissolve easily with bitters. Buy on Amazon
Valencia Oranges (Fresh, 4-Pack): For zesting and garnishing your cocktail with fragrant citrus oil. Buy on Amazon
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries (14 oz): The luxe finishing touch for any Old Fashioned. Buy on Amazon
Insight on Old Fashioned
Before espresso martinis and flaming shots lit up the bar scene, there was the Old Fashioned. Simple, bold, and no-frills—this cocktail is basically the blueprint for what we now call a “cocktail.”
The Old Fashioned goes way back to the early 1800s, when bartenders were first mixing up spirits with sugar, bitters, and water. That was the drink formula back then. No name, no garnish—just called a “cocktail.” By the time fancy new drinks started popping up (think absinthe rinses and egg whites), some drinkers pushed back, asking for their drink made the “old-fashioned” way. And just like that, a name stuck.
It’s been through a few phases—popular in the 19th century, almost forgotten in the vodka-crazed mid-1900s, then resurrected by cocktail nerds and Mad Men fans alike. Today? It’s a staple on any respectable bar menu. And once you’ve had a good one, you’ll understand why.
This drink is all about balance: whiskey for the backbone, sugar for a touch of sweetness, bitters for depth, and a twist of orange to wake everything up. That’s it. No gimmicks. Just a glass of smooth, slow-sipping history.
FAQs
What’s the best whiskey for an Old Fashioned?
Use a mid-to-high quality bourbon or rye. Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Bulleit Rye, and Elijah Craig are great choices.
Can I batch this for a party?
Yes! Mix everything except ice in a pitcher, then pour over ice when ready to serve.
Is the cherry necessary?
It’s optional. Purists skip it, but a Luxardo cherry adds a nice touch if you prefer a modern flair.