The old-fashioned is one of the oldest mixed drinks in the cocktail canon. (Original name: whiskey cocktail, which became old-fashioned whiskey cocktail, and then just the old-fashioned.) I was first introduced to it at Soho House, where they are known for their strong and consistent old-fashioned, no matter which house you’re at (Soho House West Hollywood, Little Beach House Malibu, High Road House London, etc.)
The old-fashioned is a stirred drink, usually built in the glass in which it is served. Both rye and bourbon are suitable base spirits (I prefer bourbon, personally.) For the sweetener, purists muddle up a sugar cube with water and a couple dashes of bitters, but simple syrup works as well. Twists can be orange, lemon or both. A fruitier version of the drink was created after Prohibition and involves the muddling of a cherry and orange slice along with the sugar, which makes for a little more feminine of a drink.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 sugar cube (or 1 bar spoon simple syrup)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitter
- 2 ounces rye or bourbon
- Orange twist
PREPARATION
- Muddle the sugar cube and bitters with one bar spoon of water at the bottom of a chilled rocks glass. (If using simple syrup, combine bitters and one bar spoon of syrup.) Add rye or bourbon. Stir.
- Add one large ice cube, or three or four smaller cubes. Stir until chilled and properly diluted, about 30 seconds. Slip orange twist on the side of the cube.
Cheers!
The post How to Make an Old Fashioned appeared first on Caviar & Cashmere.