This Traditional Old Fashioned Cocktail is impressive and easy, I’ll show you how to make it the traditional way. Plus some shortcuts to make it easier.
Traditionally served “on the rocks” I recommend using a rocks glass to serve this cocktail. Though any short glass will work. You can even serve it “straight up” and strain it into a martini glass (though this is not traditional- but it is pretty!)
Traditional Old Fashioned Cocktail
This popular whiskey (or bourbon) cocktail was created in Kentucky back in 1881.
Originally made in a gentleman’s club named The Pendennis Club, this cocktail has made a big comeback in the recent years and is one of the most popular cocktails out there.
Old Fashioned Drink Garnishes
Old Fashioned cocktails have just a couple traditional garnishes (orange twist and cherry). But if you visit a swanky bar, you may notice newer garnishes adorning the drink. Though the orange twist is essential, the rest of the garnishes can be skipped.
And if you don’t have (or don’t want to use) an orange twist, skip it and use Orange Bitters in the drink in place of the traditional Angostura bitters.
- Orange Twist
- Cocktail cherry
- Sprig of thyme
- Orange wedge
Printable Recipe Card for Old Fashioned Cocktails
If you would like to save time and effort, you can swap out the sugar cube for a teaspoon of sugar. Save even more time by using a teaspoon of simple syrup and you won’t have to wait for the sugar to dissolve.
More Ways to Make an Old Fashioned:
Traditional Old Fashioned Cocktail
Course: Traditional CocktailsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium1
servings5
minutes226
kcal5
minutesThis traditional old fashioned cocktail can be made with bourbon or whiskey. You can also use a sugar cube, or just add a teaspoon of sugar. If you are looking for a low sugar version, check out my Low Calorie Old Fashioned.
Ingredients
1 sugar cube (or 1 teaspoon sugar)
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 teaspoon water
2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey)
Orange twist
- Garnish:
Cherry
Directions
- To a rocks glass, add one large ice cube, or fill 1/2 with ice.
- Add the sugar cube, bitters, and water into a cocktail shaker. Use a muddler to crush the sugar. Then stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved.
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, add the bourbon, and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared rocks glass.
- Twist and squeeze the orange twist over the glass to express the oil into the cocktail. Then drop into the glass to garnish.
- Top with a cherry and serve.
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