Old Fashioneds Recipe

Make demerara syrup (quick)

Place 1 teaspoon demerara sugar and 1 teaspoon water in a mixing glass or old-fashioned glass. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved. (If you prefer a ready-to-use option, prepare a 2:1 demerara simple syrup in advance and use 1/4 oz.)

Add bitters

Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (optional) to the dissolved demerara sugar in the glass. Stir gently to combine so the bitters are uniformly distributed through the sugar.

Add whiskey

Pour 2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Rye into the glass. Briefly stir (6–8 seconds) with a bar spoon to further dissolve any remaining sugar and to chill the mixture slightly.

Add ice and chill

Add one large clear ice cube (or enough large ice to fill the glass). Stir briskly for 10–15 seconds to properly chill and dilute the drink to taste (about 15–20% dilution target).

Garnish and finish

Express the oils from an orange peel over the glass by holding the peel skin-side down above the drink and giving it a firm squeeze so the oils spray onto the surface. Rub the peel along the rim if desired, then drop it into the glass. Optionally add a Luxardo or cocktail cherry on a pick. Serve immediately.