Modern Old Fashioned Recipe

Combine and dissolve

Combine 0.75 cups dark brown sugar and 0.75 cups water in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Stir continuously until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture just comes to a simmer, about 3–4 minutes. Do not boil vigorously.

Remove from heat, let cool to room temperature, then transfer to a sealed container. Refrigerate until chilled. Yields about 6 ounces; use 0.5 oz per cocktail. Refrigerated, it will keep 2–3 weeks.

Prepare glass and ice

Select a chilled rocks glass (Best In Glass). Add one large ice cube (or two large cubes) to the glass.

Measure ingredients

In a mixing glass or small stirring vessel, pour 2 oz Knob Creek Rye Whiskey and 0.5 oz chilled brown sugar simple syrup.

Add bitters

Add 2 dashes of 18.21 Earl Grey bitters to the mixing glass. The bergamot-forward bitters complement the rye's spice.

Stir and dilute

Add enough stirring ice to the mixing glass to chill (a few medium cubes). Stir gently but steadily for 20–30 seconds until the exterior is lightly frosted and the liquid is well chilled and slightly diluted.

Strain

Strain the chilled cocktail into the prepared rocks glass over the large ice cube.

Express orange oils

Take one piece of orange peel and hold it skin-side down over the drink. Give it a firm squeeze to express the oils across the surface, then run the peel around the rim for added aroma.

Garnish

Drop the expressed orange peel into the drink and add one filthy cherry on a pick or directly into the glass. Optionally add a second orange twist for extra aroma.

Serve immediately. Enjoy slowly to appreciate the spirit, bitters, and brown sugar balance. Estimated 195 calories per serving.