Old Forester Recipe

Measure and combine

Add 2 oz Old Forester bourbon, 0.25 oz simple syrup, 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (if using) into a mixing glass or directly into a lowball glass if you prefer built-style.

Add ice

Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes or a single large ice cube. The large ice chills without diluting too quickly.

Stir

Using a bar spoon, stir the mixture for about 20–30 seconds (15–20 full revolutions) until the drink is well chilled and slightly diluted — the glass should feel cold to the touch and the ice should develop a slight haze.

Prepare glass

If you stirred in a mixing glass, place a large ice cube in a chilled lowball (rocks) glass now. If you stirred in the glass, leave the ice in place.

Strain and serve

Strain the chilled mixture into the lowball glass over the large ice cube. If you built the drink in the serving glass, no straining is necessary.

Express and garnish

Take an orange peel and hold it over the drink, skin side down. Give it a strong twist to express the oils over the surface, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass as garnish.

Serve immediately. Sip slowly to appreciate the balance of Old Forester's caramel and spice with the bitters and light sweetness.

If using a mixing glass, use a Hawthorne or julep strainer when pouring into the serving glass. Rinse and dry tools after use.