Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)
Quick Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey, preferably 90 to 100 proof
- 1 teaspoon rich simple syrup, made with a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water
- 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters, optional but recommended
- 1 large 2-inch clear ice cube
- 1 wide strip orange peel, about 1 inch by 3 inches
- 1 brandied cherry, optional garnish
Do This
- 1. Chill a rocks glass in the freezer for 5 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you prep.
- 2. Add 1 teaspoon rich simple syrup and bitters to a mixing glass.
- 3. Pour in 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey.
- 4. Add ice to the mixing glass and stir gently for 20 to 30 seconds until well chilled.
- 5. Place one large 2-inch ice cube in the chilled rocks glass.
- 6. Strain the cocktail over the ice cube.
- 7. Express the orange peel over the drink, rub it around the rim, and drop it in; add a cherry if you like.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is simple but polished: Just whiskey, bitters, sugar, ice, and citrus, balanced with care.
- It lets good whiskey shine: Bourbon brings caramel and vanilla notes, while rye adds spice and a drier finish.
- It feels special at home: A large ice cube, glossy orange oils, and a proper stir make it bar-worthy.
- It is easy to customize: Adjust sweetness, bitters, and whiskey style to match your taste.
Grocery List
- Produce: 1 fresh orange for garnish
- Dairy: None
- Pantry: Bourbon or rye whiskey, granulated sugar, Angostura aromatic bitters, orange bitters, ice, brandied cherries if desired
Full Ingredients
For the Old Fashioned
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey: Use bourbon for a rounder drink with caramel, vanilla, and oak; use rye for a spicier, drier cocktail. A 90 to 100 proof whiskey gives the best flavor after dilution.
- 1 teaspoon rich simple syrup: Use a 2:1 syrup made from 2 parts granulated sugar and 1 part water. This gives gentle sweetness without making the drink watery.
- 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters: These add warm spice, clove, cinnamon, and herbal depth.
- 1 dash orange bitters: Optional, but lovely for boosting the citrus aroma.
For Ice and Garnish
- 1 large 2-inch ice cube: A large cube chills the cocktail while melting slowly, keeping the drink spirit-forward.
- 1 wide strip orange peel, about 1 inch by 3 inches: Cut from a fresh orange with as little bitter white pith as possible.
- 1 brandied cherry: Optional, for a classic finishing touch and a subtle fruit note.
Optional Rich Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Chill the glass
Place a double rocks glass in the freezer for 5 minutes. If you do not have freezer space, fill the glass with ice water and let it sit while you build the drink. Starting with a cold glass helps the Old Fashioned stay crisp and slow-sipping.
Step 2: Make rich simple syrup if needed
If you do not already have syrup, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, about 180°F to 200°F, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes until the sugar fully dissolves. Do not boil hard. Let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes, before using in the cocktail.
This makes more syrup than you need for one drink, but it keeps well and makes future cocktails quick. For one Old Fashioned, you will use exactly 1 teaspoon.
Step 3: Add the bitters and sweetener
In a mixing glass, add 1 teaspoon rich simple syrup, 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters, and 1 dash orange bitters if using. Stir these together briefly with a bar spoon to combine the sugar and bitters before adding the whiskey.
Step 4: Pour in the whiskey
Add 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey to the mixing glass. Bourbon will make the cocktail softer and sweeter, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. Rye will make it more peppery, lean, and spice-forward. Both are classic, so choose the style you enjoy drinking neat.
Step 5: Add ice and stir gently
Fill the mixing glass about two-thirds full with cold ice cubes. Stir smoothly for 20 to 30 seconds, keeping the back of the spoon against the inside of the glass. The goal is to chill the drink to about 30°F to 32°F while adding just enough dilution to soften the whiskey and connect the sugar, bitters, and spirit.
A properly stirred Old Fashioned should look glossy and feel cold to the touch on the outside of the mixing glass. Avoid shaking, which makes the drink cloudy and overly aerated.
Step 6: Prepare the serving glass
Empty the chilled rocks glass if you used ice water. Place 1 large 2-inch ice cube in the glass. The large cube is important because it chills the drink steadily without melting too quickly, preserving the bold, spirit-forward character.
Step 7: Strain the cocktail
Using a julep strainer or fine cocktail strainer, strain the chilled cocktail from the mixing glass into the rocks glass over the large ice cube. The drink should be amber, clear, and lightly glossy.
Step 8: Express the orange peel and garnish
Hold the orange peel colored-side down over the surface of the cocktail. Pinch it firmly to express the citrus oils across the top of the drink. You should see a light sheen of oil on the surface and smell a bright burst of orange. Rub the peel around the rim of the glass, then drop it into the drink or rest it neatly along the ice. Add 1 brandied cherry if desired.
Pro Tips
- Use a measured pour: The Old Fashioned is simple, so balance matters. Use a jigger for the 2 ounces whiskey and 1 teaspoon syrup.
- Choose the whiskey by mood: Bourbon gives a warmer, sweeter cocktail; rye makes it spicier and drier.
- Do not over-sweeten: Start with 1 teaspoon rich simple syrup. You can add another 1/4 teaspoon if you prefer a softer drink.
- Stir, do not shake: Stirring keeps the cocktail silky, clear, and spirit-forward.
- Use fresh orange peel: A dry or old peel will not release enough fragrant oil, and the citrus aroma is a key part of the drink.
Variations
- Classic sugar cube Old Fashioned: Use 1 sugar cube instead of syrup. Add it to the glass with 2 dashes bitters and 1 teaspoon water, then muddle until mostly dissolved before adding whiskey and ice.
- Maple Old Fashioned: Replace the rich simple syrup with 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup for a cozy drink with deeper caramel and woodsy notes.
- Rye and orange Old Fashioned: Use 2 ounces rye whiskey, keep the 1 dash orange bitters, and garnish with both an orange peel and a lemon peel for a brighter, spicier version.
Storage & Make-Ahead
An Old Fashioned is best stirred and served immediately. To make entertaining easier, you can batch the base in advance: for 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces whiskey, 8 teaspoons rich simple syrup, 16 dashes Angostura bitters, and 8 dashes orange bitters in a clean bottle. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. To serve, stir 2 1/4 ounces of the batch with ice for 20 to 30 seconds, strain over a large ice cube, and garnish with fresh orange peel. Store leftover rich simple syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 155 kcal | Carbs: 4g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 4g | Sodium: 1mg | Cholesterol: 0mg
