Old Fashioned Recipe

Build the drink

Add 0.25 oz simple syrup (or demerara syrup) to a chilled old fashioned glass. Add 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters if using.

Add whiskey and ice

Pour 2 oz rye whiskey (or bourbon) into the glass. Add one large ice cube or fill with several large ice cubes to chill without over-diluting.

Stir

Stir the mixture gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 full spoon rotations) until the glass feels cold and the exterior of the ice shows a slight frost. This chills and dilutes the drink to the proper balance.

Garnish and finish

Express the oils from a piece of orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down above the glass and giving it a firm squeeze so the oils spray onto the surface. Optionally rub the peel around the rim, then drop the peel into the glass. Add a Luxardo or brandied cherry if desired.

Serve immediately. Sip slowly to appreciate the balance of whiskey, bitters, and sugar.

Use the jigger to measure spirits and syrup for consistency. Use the peeler or channel knife to get a clean orange peel; if you used a muddler for syrup and bitters, rinse and dry it after use. Rinse the bar spoon and glass after serving.