What is an Old Fashioned? The Old Fashioned is a classic drink that has been a staple for more than a century. In fact, the drink, which is a cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters and adding alcohol, was developed during the 19th century and given its name in the 1880s.
The History of the Old Fashioned
The first use of the name “Old Fashioned” to refer to a Bourbon whiskey cocktail is said to have been at a gentlemen’s club in Louisville, Kentucky, called the Pendennis Club. It is said that the recipe was invented by a bartender at that club, and it was then brought to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel bar in New York City.
However, different versions of this cocktail do appear in print as early as 1806. They were sometimes made with different spirits besides Bourbon whiskey. By the time this cocktail came back into popularity in the 1860s, it was referred to as “old-fashioned” and the most popular version was made with whiskey.
It’s not until it appears at the Pendennis Club that it’s made specifically with Bourbon whiskey, making it the Old Fashioned that we know it as today.
Learning to Make the Perfect Old Fashioned
If you’re hoping to learn how to make this timeless cocktail, you need to make sure you’re using the right ingredients. There are plenty of different bitters on the market, but you should start with Angostura bitters when learning to master the Old Fashioned. Angostura bitters is the benchmark and is always the default choice.
If possible, toast your sugar before using in this drink. It is less sweet than plain sugar, but still brings a subtle sweetness and can also add a slight hint of caramel. Otherwise, using good “old fashioned” (see what I did there?!) crystalized sugar or a sugar cube will do just fine.
Just make sure that you add a tiny bit of water to the mixing glass and work it until the sugar dissolves. Without this first step, you’ll end up with an unsweetened drink and gritty sugar in the bottom of the glass.
Are you ready to try your hand at mastering the Old Fashioned?
Old Fashioned Drink Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of toasted sugar, or 1 sugar cube
- 2 to 3 dashes of bitters
- 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey
- Orange slice, for garnish
- Cocktail cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle the sugar and bitters with one bar spoon’s worth of water at the bottom of a mixing glass.
- Add the whiskey to the mixing glass.
- Add several large ice cubes, and stir quickly with a bar spoon to chill.
- Strain the drink into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
- If desired, garnish with a slice or orange, and a cherry.
Kat Sweet
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