Old Forester 1870 Small Batch Recipe

Chill glass

Place a rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with ice and water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Measure and combine

Add 2 oz Old Forester 1870 Small Batch bourbon and 1 oz sweet vermouth into a mixing glass.

Add bitters and optional syrup

Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters and 1 dash of orange bitters. If you prefer a slightly sweeter, softer drink, add 1/4 teaspoon simple syrup (optional).

Add ice and stir

Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes. Stir with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 full revolutions) until the mixture is well-chilled and slightly diluted.

Prepare glass and strain

Dump the ice and water from the chilled rocks glass if you used that method. Place a single large ice cube in the glass. Strain the stirred cocktail over the large ice cube into the rocks glass using a julep or Hawthorne strainer.

Express orange oils

Hold the orange peel about 6 inches above the glass, skin side down. Give it a firm twist to express the oils over the drink, then rub the peel around the rim.

Finish and serve

Drop the expressed orange peel into the glass as a garnish. Optionally add a Luxardo or brandied cherry on a pick. Serve immediately.

Ensure your mixing glass and spoon are clean and that you use fresh, large ice cubes. Stirring (not shaking) preserves the silky texture and clarity of the cocktail.