Old Fashioned Recipe

Combine base ingredients

Add 0.25 oz simple syrup to a mixing glass (or directly to a rocks glass if you prefer building). Add 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (optional) to the simple syrup.

Add whiskey and chill

Measure 2 oz James E. Pepper 1776 Rye with a jigger and pour into the mixing glass. Add plenty of ice to the mixing glass (or add a large ice cube directly to the rocks glass if building) and stir gently for 20–30 seconds until the cocktail is well chilled and slightly diluted (about 15–20% dilution). If building in the rocks glass, stir 10–15 seconds to incorporate and chill.

Prepare the orange twist

Use a peeler or paring knife to cut a 1-piece 2–3 inch long strip of orange peel, avoiding too much of the bitter white pith. Express the oils by holding the peel over the glass and giving it a firm squeeze so oils spray onto the surface of the drink, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass.

Assemble and serve

If you mixed in a mixing glass, strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over a single large ice cube or sphere. Drop the expressed orange peel into the drink and add 1 Luxardo (or brandied) cherry on a pick or directly into the glass. Serve immediately.

Use a jigger to measure spirits and syrup for accuracy. Stir with a bar spoon in a mixing glass or the serving glass to achieve proper chilling and dilution. If using a mixing glass, strain into the serving glass with a strainer.