If you have ever seen a bartender making a cocktail, and you were particularly mesmerized by the slow, steady process of muddling and stirring, there is a very good chance that they have been making you an Old Fashioned. It is one of the oldest cocktails in the United States, and one that has never lost popularity.
Ask a bartender what a proper cocktail is, and they will likely tell you that an Old Fashioned is a good example. Ask a novice what they should order to seem like they know what they are doing, and they will likely suggest an Old Fashioned.
The Old Fashioned is one of those cocktails that is simple enough to throw together at home, and complex enough that you can spend your entire career trying to perfect it.
It is one of the few cocktails that has a set ratio of ingredients, and a set preparation method, and even then, there is room for interpretation. The drink is also fairly accessible in that it does not require any special equipment, unless you count a rocks glass, which is actually a type of drinking glass.
The simplicity of the drink is actually its appeal, in a way, since there are not a ton of ingredients to hide behind a bad ratio or preparation. This is why an Old Fashioned is such a great cocktail for beginners, as well as a drink that professional bartenders will often make to show off their skills.
This guide will give you a complete breakdown of what goes into an Old Fashioned cocktail, the history of the drink, two different ways to make the cocktail, the equipment you will need (and the things you can get away with not having), some common mistakes, and a list of variations for when you want to tweak the recipe and experiment.
After reading this guide, you should be able to make an Old Fashioned cocktail that is good enough for any bartender, and understand why the drink is so revered in the bar community.
The History of the Old Fashioned Cocktail
In order to understand why the Old Fashioned cocktail is what it is, it helps to understand where the cocktail came from. The first cocktails were not cocktails as we know them, and the word cocktail itself did not mean what we think of it as today.
Back then, a cocktail was a mixture of spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. These were the four essential ingredients that made up a cocktail. Everything else that came after was a variation or an evolution of those four ingredients.
In the 1800s, bartenders started adding other ingredients to the spirit, sugar, water, and bitters cocktail in order to make the cocktail more interesting, and that is where the liqueurs, flavored syrups, fruit purees, and other ingredients we associate with cocktails today came from.
At the same time, some people wanted to have their cocktails made in the “old fashioned way,” meaning the way cocktails used to be made before they were changed and evolved into what we know today. The term Old Fashioned was used to describe this type of cocktail, and the name eventually stuck. It is also believed that the name Old Fashioned was used as a way to distinguish this type of cocktail from the new, trendy cocktails that were being created at the time.
The name implies that this cocktail was the default cocktail, the one that everything else was being compared to, and that is essentially what it was. The Old Fashioned cocktail was the original cocktail, and it was the cocktail that was being used as a reference point for all the other cocktails that were coming out at the time.
The Old Fashioned cocktail was not always the default cocktail, of course. It was just one of many different cocktails that were popular at the time, and it was not particularly special in any way. It was not until later that the cocktail started to gain notoriety and become one of the most popular cocktails in the United States.
It is now one of the six essential cocktails, along with the Martini, the Manhattan, the Daiquiri, the Sidecar, and the Whiskey Sour. It is also one of the most popular cocktails in the United States, and it can be found on the menus of bars all over the country.
What Is an Old Fashioned Cocktail?
An Old Fashioned cocktail is a whiskey cocktail made up of four essential ingredients: spirit, sugar, bitters, and citrus. It is a spirit-forward cocktail, meaning that it is primarily made up of spirit, and everything else is meant to complement the spirit rather than compete with it. The cocktail is made by muddling the sugar and bitters together, then adding the spirit and citrus to the mix.
It is then stirred and served over ice in a rocks glass, also known as an Old Fashioned glass. The cocktail is not shaken, as that would aerate the cocktail and make it too fizzy. Instead, it is stirred, which helps to dissolve the sugar and incorporate the flavors without aerating the cocktail.
The name Old Fashioned itself is a clue to what the cocktail is all about. As previously mentioned, the name Old Fashioned was used to describe cocktails that were made in the “old fashioned way.” This means that the cocktail was made using the four essential ingredients that defined cocktails at the time: spirit, sugar, water, and bitters.
The Old Fashioned cocktail was the original cocktail, and it was the cocktail that was used as a reference point for all the other cocktails that came after it.
The ingredients in an Old Fashioned cocktail are relatively simple, with only four ingredients needed to make the cocktail:
- Whiskey Bourbon or rye whiskey, 2 oz
- Sugar A sugar cube, simple syrup, or a bar spoon of granulated sugar
- Bitters Angostura bitters, a few dashes
- Citrus An orange peel
This is all that is needed to make an Old Fashioned cocktail. There are no juices, sodas, or other ingredients needed to make the cocktail. The cocktail is all about balancing the flavors of the spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. Every other cocktail that has juice or cream in it is trying to hide the flavors of the spirit or add something else to the cocktail.
The Old Fashioned cocktail is about highlighting the flavors of the spirit and making sure that the spirit is the star of the show. This is why an Old Fashioned cocktail is so special and why it has stood the test of time.
Some people like to add water to their Old Fashioned cocktail in order to dilute the cocktail and make it less strong, but water is not an ingredient in an Old Fashioned cocktail. Water is a byproduct of the stirring process, and it is not something that should be added to the cocktail.
All of the other ingredients that are commonly found in an Old Fashioned cocktail, such as cherries and citrus slices, are actually garnishes that have been added to the cocktail over time. They are not essential to the cocktail, and they are not part of the original recipe for the Old Fashioned cocktail.
This is one of the common misconceptions about the Old Fashioned cocktail, and it is something that many novice cocktail makers get wrong. The fruit that is added to an Old Fashioned cocktail is a garnish, and it is not part of the cocktail itself. The only thing that should be in an Old Fashioned cocktail is the spirit, the sugar, the bitters, and the water that comes from the stirring process.
Why Sugar and Not Simple Syrup, Historically?
It is worth noting that the original recipe for an Old Fashioned cocktail called for a sugar cube rather than simple syrup. This is because, before simple syrup was commercially available, bartenders had to have a sweetener that would not require refrigeration and that would dissolve easily in the cocktail. The sugar cube served that purpose, and it was the preferred sweetener for many years.
The sugar cube also added a different texture and sweetness to the cocktail, which is why some bartenders still prefer it to this day. The sugar cube has a slightly different consistency and sweetness than simple syrup, and it can be used to create a different type of Old Fashioned cocktail.
Bitters: The Ingredient That Most Novice Cocktail Makers Forget
Most novice cocktail makers forget to add bitters to their cocktails, and they assume that a few dashes of bitters is not that important. This is not true, as bitters are actually one of the most important ingredients in a cocktail. Bitters are what give a cocktail its depth and complexity, and they are what make a cocktail more interesting to drink. Bitters also help to balance out the flavors of the other ingredients in the cocktail, so they should not be overlooked.
Angostura bitters are the most common type of bitters used in cocktails, and they are the type of bitters that should be used in an Old Fashioned cocktail. Other types of bitters can be used, but they are not as commonly available and they may not have the same flavor profile as Angostura bitters.
Bourbon or Rye: Which One Should You Use?
One of the biggest questions about an Old Fashioned cocktail is whether you should use bourbon or rye whiskey to make the cocktail. This is actually a matter of personal preference, as both whiskeys can be used to make an Old Fashioned cocktail. They each have a slightly different flavor profile, however, and they will each create a slightly different type of cocktail.
Bourbon is a type of whiskey that is made primarily from corn, and it has a sweet flavor profile with notes of vanilla and caramel. Rye whiskey, on the other hand, is made primarily from rye grain, and it has a spicier, drier flavor profile with notes of pepper and citrus. Both whiskeys can be used to make an Old Fashioned cocktail, but they will each create a slightly different type of cocktail.
Bourbon is generally preferred for an Old Fashioned cocktail because it has a sweeter flavor profile, which helps to balance out the bitterness of the bitters in the cocktail. Rye whiskey, on the other hand, has a drier flavor profile, which means that the sweetness of the sugar in the cocktail will be more noticeable. This is not a bad thing, but it is something to keep in mind when choosing between the two whiskeys.
A Third Option: Blended and Other Whiskeys
There are other types of whiskeys that can be used to make an Old Fashioned cocktail, but they are not as commonly used as bourbon and rye whiskey. These other types of whiskeys include Canadian whisky, Tennessee whiskey, and blended Scotch whisky. They can all be used to make an Old Fashioned cocktail, but they are not as commonly used as bourbon and rye whiskey.
This is because they do not have the same flavor profile as bourbon and rye whiskey, and they will not create the same type of cocktail. If you use one of these other types of whiskeys to make an Old Fashioned cocktail, it will not be as balanced or as flavorful as an Old Fashioned cocktail made with bourbon or rye whiskey. However, they can still be used to make a good Old Fashioned cocktail, and they can be a good option if you are looking for a different type of Old Fashioned cocktail.
Equipment
Making an Old Fashioned cocktail is not something that requires a lot of equipment. In fact, it is one of the few cocktails that can be made with just a few simple pieces of equipment. The equipment that is needed to make an Old Fashioned cocktail includes:
- A mixing glass
- A bar spoon
- A muddler
- A jigger or measuring tool
- A rocks glass
- A peeler or paring knife
- Large ice cubes
None of these pieces of equipment are absolutely necessary, but they all make the cocktail making process a little bit easier. A mixing glass, a bar spoon, a muddler, and a jigger are all essential pieces of equipment for making cocktails. A rocks glass is also essential, as it is the glass that the cocktail is served in. A peeler or paring knife is needed to cut the citrus peel, and large ice cubes are needed to keep the cocktail cold and refreshing.
On Ice: Why It Matters More Than You Think
The ice that is used to make an Old Fashioned cocktail is just as important as the other ingredients in the cocktail. This is because the cocktail is served over ice for the entire time that it is being drunk, rather than being strained into a separate glass like a Martini. The size of the ice cubes also matters, as smaller ice cubes will melt faster and dilute the cocktail more than larger ice cubes.
This is why it is important to use large ice cubes when making an Old Fashioned cocktail. If you are making an Old Fashioned cocktail at home, it is a good idea to invest in a large ice cube maker, or at least a large ice cube mold. This will ensure that you always have large ice cubes available to use when making your Old Fashioned cocktail.
How to Make an Old Fashioned Cocktail: A Step-by-Step Guide
There are two main ways to make an Old Fashioned cocktail: the sugar cube method and the simple syrup method. Both of these methods are valid, and they both produce a good Old Fashioned cocktail. The sugar cube method is a bit more traditional, while the simple syrup method is a bit more modern. Both methods are relatively easy to follow, and they both produce a good Old Fashioned cocktail.
Method 1: The Sugar Cube Method
The sugar cube method is the traditional way to make an Old Fashioned cocktail. It is a bit more labor intensive than the simple syrup method, but it produces a slightly different type of cocktail. The sugar cube method is as follows:
- Place one sugar cube in the bottom of a rocks glass
- Add two to three dashes of Angostura bitters to the sugar cube
- Add a small splash of water to the sugar cube
- Muddle the sugar cube, bitters, and water together until the sugar has mostly dissolved
- Add two ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey to the glass
- Add one large ice cube to the glass
- Stir the cocktail for about 15 to 20 seconds until it is well chilled
- Express an orange peel over the top of the cocktail and drop it in the glass
- Add a cocktail cherry to the glass if desired
This method produces a slightly different type of Old Fashioned cocktail than the simple syrup method does. The sugar cube method produces a slightly sweeter cocktail, and it is a bit more labor intensive. However, it is a good method to use if you want to make an Old Fashioned cocktail the traditional way.
Method 2: The Simple Syrup Method
The simple syrup method is a bit more modern, but it is also a bit easier to follow. It produces a slightly different type of Old Fashioned cocktail than the sugar cube method does, but it is still a good way to make an Old Fashioned cocktail. The simple syrup method is as follows:
- Add two ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey to a mixing glass
- Add 1/4 ounce of simple syrup to the mixing glass
- Add two to three dashes of Angostura bitters to the mixing glass
- Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for about 15 to 20 seconds
- Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass that has been filled with one large ice cube
- Express an orange peel over the top of the cocktail and drop it in the glass
- Add a cocktail cherry to the glass if desired
The simple syrup method is a bit easier to follow than the sugar cube method, and it produces a slightly different type of Old Fashioned cocktail. It produces a cocktail that is slightly less sweet, and it is a bit easier to make. It is a good method to use if you want to make an Old Fashioned cocktail that is a bit more modern.
A Note on Ratios
After you have made a few Old Fashioned cocktails using either of the methods above, you may want to start thinking about ratios rather than measurements. This is because ratios are a more flexible way to think about cocktails, and they can help you to make more consistent cocktails. The ratio for an Old Fashioned cocktail is relatively simple:
two ounces of spirit to 1/4 ounce of sweetener to two to three dashes of bitters. This is a good starting point, but you can adjust the ratio based on your preferences. If you find that the cocktail is too sweet, you can reduce the amount of sweetener, or if you find that the cocktail is too bitter, you can reduce the amount of bitters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Shaking instead of stirring: Shaking an Old Fashioned cocktail will aerate the cocktail and make it fizzy, which is not what you want. Old Fashioned cocktails should be stirred, not shaken, in order to avoid this problem. Shaking is also not necessary for cocktails that do not have juice or other ingredients in them, as it will simply waste time.
Over-muddling the sugar cube: You want to make sure that you do not over-muddle the sugar cube, as this can cause the sugar to become too gritty and it can also cause the cocktail to be too sweet. Muddling the sugar cube is only necessary in order to dissolve the sugar, and it should be stopped as soon as the sugar has mostly dissolved.
Using small ice cubes: Small ice cubes will melt too quickly and they will also dilute the cocktail too much. This is why it is important to use large ice cubes when making an Old Fashioned cocktail. Large ice cubes will also keep the cocktail cold for a longer period of time, which is important for a cocktail that is meant to be sipped slowly.
Not using citrus oils: The oils in the citrus peel are what give an Old Fashioned cocktail its distinctive aroma and flavor. This is why it is important to express the oils in the peel over the top of the cocktail before adding it to the glass. The oils will float on top of the cocktail and they will help to enhance the flavor of the cocktail.
Using cheap whiskey you would not drink on its own. The Old Fashioned does not hide a bad spirit, it shows it. You do not need the best liquor in the cabinet, but it should be something you would enjoy in its simplest form as neat whiskey.
After all, the Old Fashioned is nearly 90 percent liquor by volume after considering what is added and how much is used to cut it. Anything cheap or off in the base spirit will stand out in the final product rather than being hidden by other flavors as it would in a mixed drink.
Too much fruit garnish. As touched on above, a heavy garnish of orange slices and multiple sweet cherries is a fairly modern addition to the drink made popular by bars that want to jazz it up a bit. It is not wrong by any means as a cocktail is whatever you want it to be, but if you want to replicate something of historical accuracy or how it would be prepared in a more serious bar setting, less is indeed more.
Not adjusting sugar to proof. Higher proof whiskeys, particularly those that are barrel proof or cask strength, can be substantially more potent than the standard 80-90 proof bottling. If using such a spirit consider increasing the amount of sweetener used to properly balance the drink out rather than having a very boozy, hot, and harsh Old Fashioned.
Popular Variations
Beyond the basics once you have gotten a feel for the cocktail there are a few variations that are worth knowing about or trying.
- Smoked Old Fashioned finished with a few seconds under a smoking cloche or with a smoking gun for a campfire-like quality popular in bars that want to put on a show.
- Maple Old Fashioned Using maple syrup instead of simple syrup with a heavier emphasis on rye whiskey for winter.
- Cherry Old Fashioned Made with cherry bitters and/or cherry liquor rather than standard bitters for a deeper, sweeter flavor.
- Spiced Old Fashioned – A homemade spiced syrup with cinnamon, cloves, or star anise is used in place of standard simple syrup to bring out the warm, spicy notes in the bitters and whiskey.
- Mezcal or Rum Old Fashioned Using mezcal or rum in place of whiskey for a different take on the spirit forward cocktail. Mezcal in particular has seen a spike in popularity recently and is a natural fit due to the similarity in flavor between the smoky liquor and the standard whiskey used in the original Old Fashioned.
- Brandy Old Fashioned Particularly popular in Wisconsin as a slightly lighter, fruitier, and more mixable cocktail. Sometimes made with soda or sprite instead of being poured over ice.
- Coffee or Espresso Old Fashioned Using coffee liqueur or a splash of espresso in addition to whiskey to give it the qualities of a dessert cocktail.
None of these variations are wrong and most have been around for decades, and many bartenders will make slightly different variations of the Old Fashioned on a regular basis depending on what is available or what they feel like making.
The general ratio of spirit to sweetener to bitters to citrus is usually what defines an Old Fashioned at its core with everything else being up for debate. If you want to think of it in terms of a car the standard recipe is the chassis and everything else is just trim, within reason. As long as you have the basic ratio the exact specifics are entirely up to you.
Batching for a Party
Making single Old Fashioneds for a crowd can end up being fairly time-consuming depending on how large your guest list is. Batching is the easiest solution. Multiply the amount of whiskey, sweetener, and bitters based on how many drinks you want to make.
For example, if making eight Old Fashioneds instead of one you would use 16 oz of whiskey, 2 oz of simple syrup, and 16-24 dashes of bitters in a single pitcher or bottle rather than the standard 2 oz whiskey, 1/2 oz syrup, and 2-3 dashes of bitters with one large cube of ice.
This mixture can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or at room temperature until ready to serve. Simply pour over ice when ready to drink rather than shaking or stirring with ice beforehand. This should give the same general experience as an individually prepared
Old Fashioned although it will not have the same level of freshness from the citrus peel. Always use fresh peels when adding a twist to a batched drink as the oils begin to dissipate almost immediately after cutting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Old Fashioned strong? Yes, it is one of the stronger cocktails due to the lack of dilution and high ratio of spirit to other ingredients. This means it should be sipped on rather than chased as it is consumed over a longer period of time.
Can I make an Old Fashioned without bitters? Yes, but it will be a substantially less flavorful and aromatic cocktail. The bitters are what provide the unique flavor in addition to the sweetness and spirit. If you do not have Angostura bitters you can use orange bitters, particularly if using an orange twist, and it will add a nice depth of flavor.
What type of glass should I use? An Old Fashioned is traditionally served in a short rocks glass sometimes referred to as an Old Fashioned glass. Any short tumbler will work if you do not have one that specifically says Old Fashioned on it, just make sure it is not too tall and thin. Something heavy with a wide mouth to fit a large cube of ice is ideal.
Can I batch Old Fashioneds for a party? Yes, see the Batching for a Party section for more information.
What can I use instead of whiskey? The short answer is pretty much anything, but you will end up with something different than an Old Fashioned if using anything other than a whiskey. Brandy, rum, mezcal, and even aged tequila have been used in the past, but a bartender will always note that the drink is made with something other than whiskey if asked.
This is the only real difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned with the former simply being an Old Fashioned with some of the whiskey substituted for sweet vermouth and served up rather than over ice.
Do I need to use a sugar cube or can I just use granulated sugar? Either is fine although granulated sugar may not dissolve as readily when using a cube as the surface area is much smaller than it would be with loose sugar. It should still work fine, just be sure to stir thoroughly after adding your splash of water. Cubes generally only need a splash of water to help them break up as they are already broken up fairly finely.
Why does my Old Fashioned taste watered down? Most likely because it is. Watered down is another term for not strong enough, and that generally happens with Old Fashioneds because of ice melt dilution. Using a large cube and keeping your stir time to 15-20 seconds will prevent this.
Is a Manhattan the same thing as an Old Fashioned? No, but they are similar cocktails. A Manhattan is essentially an Old Fashioned with some of the whiskey replaced with sweet vermouth and is typically mixed without ice. Due to the addition of vermouth and different preparation it ends up being substantially different despite the similarities.
One is a spirit forward cocktail with bitters and the other is a fortified wine cocktail with less emphasis on the bitters. The use of different glassware also puts them on different spectrums in terms of how they are meant to be imbibed with the Manhattan falling more towards being sipped and the Old Fashioned leaning towards being drunk in smaller gulps.
Final Thoughts
The Old Fashioned has stood the test of time because it is simple. It is a tiny cocktail that lets you put your own spin on it without changing it too much or becoming unrecognizable. After learning how the simple ratio works you can make it almost anywhere with almost any liquor you have on hand as long as it is a whiskey of some sort.
This is why it has been a staple of bars for over a century and is often regarded as one of the best cocktails ever created. Just learn the basics, master the method, and then have fun experimenting with your own version. Few cocktails will reward effort and attention to detail quite like this one is likely to.
