Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned has stood the test of time and is considered by many to be the quintessential whiskey cocktail. Comprised of whiskey, sugar, and aromatic bitters, the Old Fashioned is a fairly straight-forward cocktail that relies heavily upon its execution. When it comes to preparation, I prefer to build the my Old Fashioned directly in the double rocks glass (in lieu of a mixing glass) before adding a large clear ice cube — the larger surface area of the ice cube allows for a more controlled dilution, which is necessary to chill the cocktail and also mellow out the spirit. Though it may feel insignificant (especially as a home bartender), do not skip garnishing your Old Fashioned with an orange peel and a maraschino cherry. The orange peel garnish particularly is just as much in the DNA of the Old Fashioned as any other ingredient; the orange oil expressed over the cocktail gives the cocktail part of its signature flavor. I’ve had the misfortune to see far too many Old Fashioneds garnished with whole orange slices, vibrant maraschino cherries (you know, the ‘red dye no. 40’ kind), and even those with the fruit muddled at the bottom — none of which are likely to be served in any reputable craft-cocktail bar. On a personal note, the Old Fashioned remains one of my all-time favorite cocktails and was the first real cocktail I recall making for myself. Over time, I’ve streamlined my own preparatioby swapping out sugar cubes for simple syrup to achieve a more consistent cocktail from start to finish. But don’t take my word for it, make one and try it yourself!
Old Fashioned
In your double rocks glass, combine the Angostura bitters, simple syrup, and whiskey.
2 dashes / 0.25 tsp of Angostura Bitters
1 tsp of Simple Syrup
2 oz of Whiskey
Add your large ice cube and stir enough for it to settle into the cocktail. Slice a peel of orange and express the oil into the cocktail, rubbing it around the rim of your glass. Garnish with the expressed orange peel and a maraschino cherry.
TIP(S):
Avoid cracks in your large ice cube — due to sudden temperature shift, set your large ice cube out at room temperature for a minute or two while you are building your cocktail.
Using a Sugar Cube instead of Simple Syrup — muddle a sugar cube (or tsp of sugar) in your glass with a tsp of club soda.
