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    Home » Classic Cocktails » The Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Published: Jul 3, 2020 · Modified: Apr 29, 2023 by Kevin Mayfield · This post may contain affiliate links.

    The Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crushed sugar cubes and orange rind with bourbon, bitters, and a cherry on top show why the Old Fashioned is an irresistible original cocktail.

    An Old Fashioned Cocktail in a rocks glass on a white napkin
    The aromatic bitters and the sweet bourbon combine to give the Old Fashioned Cocktail a distinctive look and taste.

    The original mid century cocktail

    No list of mid century cocktails is complete without the Old Fashioned. It has been said that this drink is what all cocktails are based on. My bartender refers to it as the original cocktail. It was Don Draper’s drink of choice on the television show Mad Men.

    This drink supposedly originated in Louisville, Kentucky at the famous Pendennis gentlemen’s club which was founded in the late 1800’s. However, some similar recipes had been kicking around since the early 1800’s. Nancy's great-grandfather is credited as a bartender who may have been the inventor, but that’s a story for another time.

    Ingredients needed to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail

    A classic old fashioned cocktail contains bourbon, bitters, sugar cubes, water and cherries and orange for garnish.
    Just a few simple Ingredients are all you need to make a classic old fashioned cocktail.

    Here are the ingredients you'll want to have on hand:

    • Bourbon
    • Sugar cubes (or simple syrup)
    • Bitters
    • Water
    • Orange
    • Luxardo Cherries

    Bar tools needed

    This classic cocktail stays popular because it is so easy to make. It doesn't 'require' any special tools, but here are a few basics your bar most likely already has that will make a good drink every time out:

    • Mixing glass
    • Jigger
    • Bar spoon
    • Muddler
    • Strainer

    How to make an Old Fashioned

    This drink is fun to make when you have friends over. There’s something to be said about soaking the cubes with bitters and adding a splash of real Kentucky limestone water—yes, you can buy it by the bottle now.

    If you're new to using a muddler, just remember to twist when you push down with it to grind up the sugar cubes.

    Four process pictures of a glass with sugar and bitters
    1. Place sugar cubes in the bottom of a mixing glass
    2. Give your bitters 3 liberal shakes to soak the sugar cubes
    3. Add some bits of orange peel and a dash of water
    4. Use your muddler to crush up the sugar cubes and mix together
    Two photos of an old fashioned cocktail being made by pouring ingredients
    1. Pour the sugar and bitters into the rocks glass with ice
    2. Pour the whiskey in last and then give a stir and add your garnish--if desired

    How to serve

    This drink is best served in a rocks glass with a ball or block of ice which will melt slowly and keep the drink nice and cold without watering it down while you enjoy it.

    Tips for success

    To prepare this cocktail you need the right tools, but otherwise it is a pretty easy drink to mix up. Just remember these tips to create a classic.

    1. Always use a quality bourbon to mix with. A cheap whiskey will make a poor-tasting drink.
    2. Muddle a little extra orange peel with the sugar to give it a little extra flavor.
    3. When using the orange peel, don't cut too deep and get into the bitter rind of the orange--you'll want to just skim the orange skin.
    4. Don't forget to 'express' the orange peel. The orange scent adds to the drinking experience.

    Variations

    Like many whiskey-based cocktails, there are plenty of variations that keep it interesting.

    Rye Old Fashioned

    Today we are blessed with amazing selections of spicy ryes. Chose a solid rye whiskey like George Dickel Rye and you'll really appreciate the contrast between the sweet sugar and the kick of the rye. Don't forget about Bulleit Rye for a classic rye taste.

    Everything is the same in the recipe, just substitute rye for the bourbon and enjoy.

    Brandy Old Fashioned

    Being from Chicago, I've drank plenty of these when visiting Wisconsin--it is hugely popular there. Instead of whiskey, use brandy and float some 7-Up soda on top. Super sweet, but also a delicious change up.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is it call an Old Fashioned?

    Legend has it that people requested that their cocktail not be made from a mix, but made the 'old fashioned way', or from scratch.

    What is the difference between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan?

    These are two classic whiskey drinks. The main difference is that the Manhattan uses a sweet vermouth, whereas the Old Fashioned gets its sweetness from sugar cubes.

    Onto the main event with the heavyweight champ—The Old Fashioned, the original cocktail. 

    Before you go, did you try this cocktail? Why not leave a comment in the Comments section along with a rating? I always appreciate hearing from you and getting your feedback.

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    An Old Fashioned Cocktail in a rocks glass on a white napkin

    The Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Kevin Mayfield
    The heavyweight champ of cocktails, the Old Fashioned is a winner all year 'round. It's a Madmen favorite and you'll like it, too.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 11 minutes mins
    Total Time 11 minutes mins
    Course Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 Serving
    Calories 179 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2-3 sugar cubes
    • 3-4 dashes Angostura bitters
    • 2 orange peels
    • 2 ounces bourbon
    • 1 dash purified water
    • 1 cocktail cherry

    Instructions
     

    • Put sugar cubes in your mixing glass.
    • Add 3 or 4 dashes of bitters - you want to saturate your sugar cubes.
    • Add a dash of cold water.
    • Peel a little orange peel off and add that to the bottom of the glass. Keep it separate from the piece you want to use as garnish.
    • With your muddler, crush the sugar cubes and grind them up.
    • Put large block of ice into your rocks glass
    • Pour in the sugar water mix.
    • Pour in the bourbon.
    • Last, add a bit of orange peel and a cherry for garnish. But you should express the orange peel into the glass first. Do this by twisting it until you see a little of the essence spray from the peel. Then slide the orange peel and cherry onto a drink pick, and you're ready to enjoy!

    Notes

    You can use craft sugar cubes to give the drink different flavors
    Have fun with different bitters flavors like orange and black walnut. 
    If you're in a hurry, by all means reach for the simple syrup rather than crushing the sugar cubes.
    You can use Rye rather than Bourbon to make a spicier cocktail with a harder bite.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword 1940's cocktails, 1950's cocktails, 1960's cocktails, bourbon cocktails, Don Draper cocktails, Kentucky, madmen cocktails, mid century cocktails, rat pack cocktails
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Kevin Mayfield

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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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      Nancy and Bentley

      Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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