Lena Savoie
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail, typically made with whiskey, a sugar or simple syrup, bitters, and an orange peel or cherry garnish. The whiskey used is often bourbon, but rye or blended whiskey are also common, and the cocktail is sometimes made with brandy. The drink is traditionally served with ice in an old-fashioned glass, also known as a rocks glass. The Old Fashioned is thought to have originated in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 19th century, and is considered one of the first widely known cocktails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol base | Whiskey, bourbon, rye, or blended whiskey |
| Other alcohol | Brandy, gin, or rum |
| Sweetener | Sugar, simple syrup, or sugar cube |
| Garnish | Orange slice, orange peel, orange zest, cocktail cherry, maraschino cherry, or Luxardo cherry |
| Glass | Whiskey glass, lowball glass, or rocks glass |
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What You'll Learn
Bourbon is the go-to whiskey
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that is typically made with whiskey. While rye whiskey was more popular than bourbon in the 1800s, bourbon is now often the go-to whiskey choice for an Old Fashioned. The relatively heavy body of the mostly corn-based spirit creates structure within the cocktail, and its natural sweetness helps to counterbalance the more astringent elements of bitters.
Bourbon is aged in charred new oak barrels, which gives it notes of vanilla and caramel that are brought out by the addition of sugar. These notes also help to reduce the perceived heat of the alcohol, allowing the spirit's nuances to come through more cleanly. For this reason, bourbon is a good choice for those who want to taste the bourbon clearly in their Old Fashioned.
That being said, the whiskey used in an Old Fashioned should be tailored to the profile of the drink desired. For an Old Fashioned with a spicier or drier finish, a rye whiskey may be a better choice. Fans of Scotch whisky might prefer a blend or a single malt, and some people even make their Old Fashioneds with brandy or gin.
When making an Old Fashioned, the whiskey is typically stirred with simple syrup, water, and bitters in a glass, before being served over ice and garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. Some recipes call for a sugar cube to be muddled with the bitters and water before the whiskey is added, and garnishes may also include an orange peel or orange zest.
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Brandy is a popular alternative
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail, traditionally made with whiskey, a sugar or simple syrup sweetener, and bitters. Whiskey types used include bourbon, rye, or blended whiskey. The cocktail is garnished with an orange peel or slice and a cocktail cherry, and served in a lowball or rocks glass.
The cocktail was developed in the 19th century, with its name appearing in the 1880s. It is believed that the name 'Old Fashioned' came about as drinkers accustomed to simpler cocktails requested drinks similar to those served pre-1850. The original concoction, with different proportions, became popular once more, and was referred to as an 'old-fashioned' cocktail.
However, brandy is a popular alternative to whiskey in an Old Fashioned. The use of brandy in the cocktail is said to have begun at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, when Central European immigrants from Milwaukee sampled the brandy produced by the recently opened Korbel winery. They then began using it in cocktails. However, this story is likely false, and the practice of using brandy in cocktails likely began after World War II due to supply shortages of other spirits.
The brandy Old Fashioned is so popular in Wisconsin that it was named the state's official cocktail in 2023.
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It's sometimes made with gin
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail, traditionally made with whiskey or bourbon. However, as with many cocktails, there are numerous variations on the original recipe, and it can be made with other spirits, including gin.
The Old Fashioned is thought to have originated in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 19th century, and was one of the first widely known cocktails. It is typically made with sugar or simple syrup, bitters, and water, with an orange slice or orange peel and a cocktail cherry as garnish. The drink is served with ice in an old-fashioned glass, also known as a rocks glass.
Whiskey or bourbon is the classic choice for an Old Fashioned, with the corn-based spirit creating a structured cocktail, and its natural sweetness counterbalancing the astringent elements of the bitters. However, some people prefer to use rye whiskey, which can give the drink a spicier finish.
Despite the popularity of whiskey and bourbon, other spirits can be used as a base for an Old Fashioned. The cocktail has been made with brandy, particularly in Wisconsin, where it was named the state cocktail in 2023. Early cocktails also used Holland gin or brandy, and modern mixologists have been known to experiment with aged rum.
The key to a good Old Fashioned, regardless of the spirit used, is finding the right balance between the cocktail's three key elements: spirit, sugar, and bitters. The sugar softens the liquor, creating a more viscous mouthfeel and allowing the spirit's subtler elements to shine through, while the bitters temper the sweetness of the sugar and add depth of flavour.
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Blended whiskey is an option
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail, traditionally made with whiskey or bourbon. The drink is thought to have originated in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 19th century, and is one of the earliest widely known cocktails.
Whiskey is the defining ingredient of an Old Fashioned, and while bourbon is the most popular choice, blended whiskey is also an option. A blended whiskey Old Fashioned will have a slightly different flavour profile to one made with bourbon. Bourbon is a mostly corn-based spirit, which tends to give it notes of vanilla and caramel. Blended whiskey, on the other hand, is made from a variety of grains, which can include corn, barley, wheat and rye, and is often aged in oak casks. This gives it a more complex flavour, with notes of spice and oak.
When making an Old Fashioned with blended whiskey, it's important to consider the other ingredients and how they will complement the whiskey. The classic recipe includes bitters, simple syrup or sugar, and a citrus garnish, such as an orange peel or cherry. The bitters add a warming spice, while the sugar softens the whiskey and creates a more viscous mouthfeel. A slice of orange or a cherry garnish adds a sweet and fruity note to the drink.
The key to making a great Old Fashioned with blended whiskey is to find the right balance between the spirit, sugar and bitters. The beauty of an Old Fashioned is the harmony of these three elements, with each accentuating the others' flavours without dominating the drink. When using blended whiskey, consider the specific blend and how it will interact with the other ingredients. For example, a blend with strong spice notes might benefit from a touch more sugar to soften the heat of the spice.
Ultimately, the best whiskey for an Old Fashioned is the whiskey you like. Blended whiskey is a great option for those who want to experiment with different flavours and create a unique take on this classic cocktail.
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It's sweetened with sugar or syrup
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that is typically made with whiskey, sugar or simple syrup, bitters, and an orange peel or cherry garnish. The drink is usually served in a lowball glass over ice and is characterised by its balanced flavours and simple preparation.
While the whiskey in an Old Fashioned can be bourbon, rye, or a blend, the choice of sugar or syrup is also important. The drink is typically sweetened with either a sugar cube or simple syrup, with some recipes specifying brown sugar syrup to enhance the caramel tones of the whiskey. The sugar or syrup serves to balance the alcohol, softening the whiskey and creating a more viscous mouthfeel that allows the subtler elements of the spirit to shine through.
Simple syrup is often preferred as it dissolves more easily than solid sugar, creating a smoother texture and a more harmonious blend of flavours. It is also worth noting that the practice of using sugar syrup in cocktails instead of solid sugar emerged in the 1860s, around the same time that whiskey became a popular spirit for Old Fashioneds.
When preparing an Old Fashioned, the simple syrup is typically added to a glass with bitters and stirred to combine before adding ice and whiskey. Some recipes also recommend muddling a sugar cube with bitters and water before adding the remaining ingredients, creating a more integrated flavour profile.
Ultimately, the choice between sugar and simple syrup in an Old Fashioned is a matter of personal preference and the desired texture and flavour profile. Both options have their own advantages and contribute to the classic appeal of this timeless cocktail.
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Frequently asked questions
The Old Fashioned is a whiskey cocktail. It is typically made with bourbon or rye whiskey, but can also be made with a blended whiskey.
Some people make Old Fashioneds with brandy, rum, or gin.
The other ingredients are sugar, bitters, and water. The drink is garnished with an orange slice or orange peel, and a cocktail cherry.
First, muddle sugar with bitters and water in a glass. Then, add ice cubes and your chosen alcohol. Finally, add your garnishes.
