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The Classic Old Fashioned Recipe

Inspired by Water Street Brewery Oak Creek

Time6m

Serves1

Korbel brandy, Angostura Bitters, orange, cherry, simple syrup, Sprite | Bulleit Bourbon +$1.00

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

2 oz Korbel brandy (or Bulleit bourbon to substitute, add $1)1/4 oz Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)3 dashes Angostura bitters1 twist Orange peel (for garnish and oil)1 piece Maraschino cherry (preferably Luxardo or Amarena)1/2 oz Sprite (optional splash/top)1 cup Ice (large cube or several large cubes)

Method

Cocktail

Prepare glass

Place a large old-fashioned glass (rock glass) in front of you. If available, chill briefly in freezer or with ice water while preparing other components.

Add bitters and syrup

Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and 0.25 oz simple syrup to the chilled glass.

Add spirit

Pour 2 oz Korbel brandy into the glass. (If substituting Bulleit bourbon, pour 2 oz instead and note the +$1 upcharge.)

Stir with ice

Add one large ice cube or several large cubes to the glass. Stir gently with a bar spoon for about 20–30 seconds until the drink is well chilled and slightly diluted (the glass should feel cold).

Add optional Sprite

If you prefer a slightly lighter, sweeter finish, add a small splash (about 0.5 oz) of Sprite on top and give one gentle stir to integrate. This step is optional; traditional Old Fashioned does not include soda.

Garnish and serve

Express the oils from 1 orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down over the glass and giving it a quick twist to release the oils, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink. Add 1 maraschino cherry on a pick or dropped into the glass. Serve immediately.