Old Fashioned Recipe
Rich & smooth. Whiskey stirred with sugar and bitters, finished with orange and a lingering spice. Made to be sipped slowly.
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
If making simple syrup (optional)
Method
If making simple syrup (optional)
Make syrup
Combine equal parts granulated sugar and water (0.25 cup each) in a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until sugar fully dissolves and liquid is clear. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Store in refrigerator; use 0.25 oz (approximately 1/2 teaspoon) per cocktail as listed above.
Build & serve
Add sugar and bitters
Place 0.25 oz simple or demarara syrup in a mixing glass or an Old Fashioned glass. Add 2 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 optional dash orange bitters. If using a sugar cube instead of syrup, place the cube in the glass, add the bitters and a few drops (about 1/4 tsp) of water, then muddle until the cube is dissolved.
Add whiskey
Pour 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey into the glass with the syrup/bitters mixture.
Stir with ice
Add a large ice cube or several large cubes to the mixing glass (or serve glass). Stir gently for 20–30 seconds (about 20–25 strokes) until the cocktail is well chilled and lightly diluted (aim for roughly 15–20% dilution). If building in the serving glass, stir directly in that glass.
Strain & set
If you stirred in a mixing glass, strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. If you stirred in the serving glass, simply leave the ice in the glass.
Garnish with cherry (optional)
If desired, add one Luxardo or brandied cherry to the glass for an additional touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
Serve
Serve immediately. Sip slowly to appreciate the rich, smooth whiskey with the bitters and orange aromatics.