Garten Old Fashioned Recipe

Make Demerara simple syrup (if not using ready-made)

Combine 2 parts demerara or coarse brown sugar and 1 part water in a small saucepan. Warm gently, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Cool to room temperature and store in a sealed container. Yields about 6–8 oz depending on batch.

Chill an old-fashioned glass by filling it with ice and set aside while you assemble the cocktail.

Discard ice from the chilled glass and place a large ice cube into the glass.

In a mixing glass, add the demerara simple syrup (0.5 oz), 3 dashes Angostura bitters, 1 dash orange bitters, and 0.25 oz maraschino liqueur.

Add 2 oz bourbon to the mixing glass.

Fill the mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir gently for 20–30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled, slightly diluted, and the outside of the mixing glass feels cold (about 10–15 turns).

Strain the stirred cocktail over the large ice cube in the prepared old-fashioned glass.

Express the oils from an orange peel over the surface of the drink by holding the peel skin-side down 2–3 inches above the glass and giving it a firm squeeze or a quick twist. Run the peel rim around the glass and drop it into the drink.

If using the optional garden element: gently smack the rosemary or thyme sprig between your hands to release aromatics and rest it across the glass. For a smoked note, briefly capture smoke in the glass from a lit match or small smoking device before seating the garnish — do not over-smoke; one short puff is sufficient.

Serve immediately. Sip slowly to enjoy the balance of bourbon, bitters, demerara sweetness, and subtle garden aromatics.