Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Old Fashioned Cocktail
If using sugar cube instead of simple syrup
Optional: For chilled glass / rinse
Method
Preparation
- 1
Chill glass (optional)
If you prefer a slightly chilled Old Fashioned, place your rocks glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with cold water/ice for 1 minute, then discard the water/ice before building the cocktail.
Building the Cocktail
- 2
Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a chilled old-fashioned (rocks) glass. Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and 1/4 teaspoon of water. Muddle the sugar, bitters, and water until the sugar is fully dissolved and you have a syrupy paste. If using simple syrup, add 1/2 tablespoon simple syrup and 3 dashes bitters directly to the glass and stir to combine.
- 3
Add 1 large ice cube (or several large cubes) to the glass.
- 4
Pour 2 ounces of bourbon or rye over the ice.
- 5
Stir gently but thoroughly for 20–30 seconds (10–15 full turns) to chill and dilute the drink about 20–25%. This helps integrate the syrup and bitters with the whiskey.
- 6
Express the oils from an orange peel over the glass: hold peel with the outer skin facing down, give a firm squeeze to release the oils across the surface, then run the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink as garnish. Optionally add a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick.
Serving
- 7
Serve immediately on the rocks. Sip slowly and enjoy. If desired, replace the ice before it becomes excessively diluted.
