The old-fashioned perfectly typifies the essence of the cocktail. It's made with four simple ingredients that have been around since the invention of the cocktail: spirits, bitters, water, and sugar. Our recipe uses bourbon, whose natural notes of brown sugar, molasses, oak, and honey make this drink even better. It's perfect for any occasion!
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Things You'll Need
Angostura bitters
1 orange
1/2–1 tsp. simple syrup, to taste
1 large ice cube or sphere
2 oz. bourbon
1. Add the bitters
Add 3 to 5 dashes of angostura bitters to an 8–12 oz. cocktail glass.
2. Add an orange peel
Using either a Y-peeler or a paring knife, peel off a thin layer of skin from an orange about 1 inch wide by 3 inches long. Place the peel in the glass with the skin side facing down.
Tip
Be sure to avoid as much of the pith as possible when peeling the orange. The pith can make the drink taste bitter, so peel carefully.
3. Muddle the orange peel and bitters
With a muddler, muddle the orange peel with the bitters a few times.
4. Add the simple syrup
Add 1/2 teaspoon of simple syrup. If a sweeter drink is preferred, add another 1/2 teaspoon.
Tip
Some people prefer using sugar and water instead of simple syrup for a cocktail that's slightly less sweet.
5. Add an ice cube
Place the ice cube (or sphere) in the glass.
Tip
The larger the cube or sphere of ice, the better, as you want to avoid dilution.
6. Add the bourbon
Pour the bourbon over the ice. Give the cocktail a few stirs with a spoon to properly mix it. Enjoy!
Tip
If desired, garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry or two.
