Best Old Fashioned Recipe
This Best Old Fashioned Recipe jazzes up a classic drink with simple ingredients and warm, balanced flavors. Perfect for unwinding or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey I favor Bulleit or Woodford Reserve
- 1/2 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water; swap honey for a richer twist)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters (or orange bitters for a citrus lift)
- 1 large sugar cube (omit if using syrup)
- 1-2 tsp water (just enough to dissolve the cube)
- orange peel (for twist and aroma)
- Luxardo cherry (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Drop the sugar cube into a heavy Old Fashioned or rocks glass, then add the bitters and water. Let it sit a few seconds so the cube softens.
- Press the cube into a paste with a muddler or back of a spoon—this builds the foundation for your homemade cocktail.
- Pour in the bourbon or rye, then fill the glass with one large ice cube (or several smaller ones).
- Using a bar spoon, stir 20–30 seconds—slow, smooth, and deliberate. You’ll see the liquid turn silky and the ice start to frost.
- Hold an orange peel over the glass, skin-side down, and give it a firm twist to release the oils, then rub the rim and drop it in.
- Top with a Luxardo cherry if desired. Take a moment to admire that warm amber glow—then taste.
Notes
• Use a clear, big ice cube or sphere for slower dilution
• Fresh orange peel from a navel orange adds a bright, zesty note
• Adjust sweetness by modifying sugar or syrup amount
• Fresh orange peel from a navel orange adds a bright, zesty note
• Adjust sweetness by modifying sugar or syrup amount
Nutrition
Calories: 160kcal
Love this recipe?Follow us at @thenandnowspace for more