Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you use sugar cubes or simple syrup for Old Fashioned? ›

Use Rich Simple Syrup

The sugar cube is one Old Fashioned tradition that can definitely be skipped. While many recipes call for it, it offers no advantage over using a rich simple syrup and has several disadvantages. Most obviously, you have to find and buy sugar cubes and a muddler.

“The Old-Fashioned was an evolution of the Whiskey co*cktail which was simply whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water, and was served as early as 1800 or so.” It wasn't until the 1870s and 1880s that when bartenders “began adding embellishments to their Whiskey co*cktails, some customers rebelled against the innovations,” as ...

She says the tradition of adding soda and fruit to an Old Fashioned goes back to Prohibition. Since the only alcohol anyone could get at the time was homemade, much of it didn't taste great, so people began adding extra ingredients to drinks to mask the taste.

If you're looking for a simple syrup substitute, there are three favorites you probably have right in your home: honey, maple syrup and agave. For honey or agave, add warm water to them, to help turn the mix to syrup.

The classic recipe, according to most mixologists, calls for Brown Demerara sugar cubes. Sugar cubes are previously measured, allowing for consistent whiskey to bitters ratios. The Angostura aromatic bitters have a rich scent of fruits and spices and are a necessary component of any classic Old Fashioned co*cktail.

DO NOT shake an Old Fashioned, always stir it. This has nothing to do with temperature but everything to do with texture. Shaking it will add air and water, diluting the co*cktail too quickly. Since the drink is primarily spirit, all you have to do is gently stir with ice, allowing for a smooth, velvety texture.

However, at its core, the Old Fashioned is just bourbon or rye whiskey, a sugar cube, bitters and a lemon or orange peel for garnish. You can check out the full recipe, plus the story of this drink's history which spans over 100 years—here.

The best bitters for an Old Fashioned are up for debate, but Angostura is classic for a reason, while Fee Brothers offer a welcome alternative.

America had its Old Fashioned, Wisconsin had its Brandy Old Fashioned. The Wisconsin way to make a Brandy Old Fashioned is to add the sugar, bitters, oranges and cherries to the glass and muddle until the sugar dissolves.

The two straws in your co*cktails simply allow you to sip faster, so you can finish your co*cktail quickly and order a second drink. Of course, if your co*cktail contains alcohol, we remind you that alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health and should be consumed in moderation.

Why do bartenders tap the glass? ›

Tapping the glass on the bar was a way to remove sediment before taking a gulp of that sweet dancing juice.” Amanda Wisth, who bartended at Joey's Yardarm in Racine explained that, despite its origins, tapping your shot glass is now used as a form of salute – like a nod of recognition.

Maple syrup adds a touch of rustic sweetness to the Old Fashioned, infusing the co*cktail with warm, earthy flavors that evoke cozy autumn evenings by the fireplace. By substituting traditional sugar or simple syrup with maple syrup, you can create a drink that's both indulgent and comforting.

Here are the basic steps for how to make an old fashioned co*cktail: Muddle the sugar. If you're going the classic sugar cube route, add it to a lowball glass, top with the water and bitters, and use a muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon) to muddle and stir the mixture until the sugar is nearly dissolved.

We use two or three dashes of Angostura bitters, which are sold in most liquor stores. A well-stocked store or a quick online search will give you a world of options for more varieties of of bitters. I also add some fruit. The amount of fruit in an Old Fashioned depends on who's making it.

Place sugar cube or simple syrup in an Old Fashioned glass. I prefer simple sugar over a sugar cube to ensure that all the sugar is dissolved. Add two splashes of bitters and, if using a sugar cube, 1 teaspoon of water to dissolve the sugar.

Sugar syrup (also called simple syrup) is basically just a mix of sugar and water. Sugar syrup is also one of the most essential ingredient in co*cktails.

Simple syrup is used to allow sugar to be evenly mixed throughout a drink, particularly one served cold, by pre-dissolving the granulated sugar in water ahead of time to avoid clumping. It's also one of the easiest ingredients to make yourself—if you can boil water, you can make simple syrup.

Sugar cube – If you don't have sugar cubes, you can use 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and muddle it with the bitters and water. You can also use 1 teaspoon of simple syrup in place of both the sugar cube/granulated sugar and water.