A timeless cocktail steeped in history and simplicity.
The Old Fashioned
- 50ml Four Roses Bourbon
- 10ml sugar syrup
- 3 dashes of bitters
- Combine and shake ingredients with ice
- Garnish with an amarena cherry
The origins of the Old Fashioned go back to the early 1800s, when the term cocktail first started being used. In those early days of cocktail discovery, it was defined as a “stimulating liquor” made from any kind of spirit, sugar, bitters, and a splash of water. And so the Old Fashioned was born.
While this classic has stood the test of time for its well-balanced simplicity, that can be the very thing that trips up new players. With just three ingredients, getting the balance right becomes an artform. Made traditionally with bourbon, its charm lies within its structure – each sip offers warmth from the whisky, a hint of sweetness from the sugar, a kick from the bitters and aromatics from the citrus.
There are some tips to mastering the Old Fashioned (apart from practice practice practice) including the quality of your ingredients. There may be three key ingredients, but whisky is very much the star. Use the best you can afford.
Be light of hand, it is far easier to add and adjust that tip out and start again. For the pure of heart, tradition dictates a sugar cube in the glass, then a few dashes of bitters and a splash of water to muddle all together in anticipation of the star. Sugar syrup is much more common – and acceptable – these days.
Some Old Fashioned purists stipulate no water be added, but if you do, use only still, not soda, water.
And above all else, stir, not shake. To finish, top with a twist of orange or a cherry.
That simplicity is what drives the Old Fashioned’s timeless quality and has earned it a place in history and the present. It is a benchmark for excellent mixology.
From hotel bars to underground speakeasies, the Old Fashioned is a drink that never feels out of place. In a world of fleeting trends, the Old Fashioned remains, steadfast and delicious.