The Old Fashioned cocktail is a timeless classic made with whiskey, sugar, and bitters, stirred to perfection and garnished with an orange twist. Learn how to make the perfect Old Fashioned at home — no fancy tools, just bold flavor and rich tradition in every sip.
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Prepare the glass: Use a rocks glass and add the sugar cube. Splash a few drops of water on it.
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Muddle: Add bitters over the sugar cube. Gently muddle until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
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Add whiskey: Pour in the bourbon or rye whiskey.
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Add ice: Add a large ice cube (or several smaller ones).
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Stir gently: Stir just enough to chill and slightly dilute.
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Garnish: Express an orange peel over the drink and drop it in. Optionally, add a cherry.
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Dark chocolate or chocolate truffles
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Charcuterie with smoked meats
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Roast pork or grilled steak bites
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Spiced nuts or candied bacon
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Aged cheeses like Gouda or blue cheese
Its deep, warming flavor profile pairs beautifully with rich, salty, and slightly sweet foods.
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Use rye for spice, bourbon for smoothness: Rye gives a drier, spicier edge; bourbon is rounder and sweeter.
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Simple syrup = speed: Use syrup for speed and consistency, or a cube for ceremony and texture.
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Orange or lemon twist? Orange brings citrus warmth, while lemon offers brighter sharpness.
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Avoid over-stirring: You want it cold and lightly diluted, not watery.
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Don't muddle fruit: Classic Old Fashioneds avoid muddled oranges or cherries.
First appearing in print in the early 1800s, the Old Fashioned is often credited as the original cocktail. It was named “old-fashioned” in the late 19th century as patrons began asking for drinks made “the old-fashioned way,” with just spirits, sugar, bitters, and water.