- Method
- Stirred
- Glassware
- Rocks glass
- Ice
- Large cube
- Time
- 3 min
Old Fashioned
The cocktail in its original form: spirit, sugar, bitters and water. A slow sipper that shows off the whiskey.
Ingredients
- 60 mlBourbon
- 7.5 mlDemerara syrup
- 2 dashesAngostura bitters
- 1 pieceOrange peel
Volume before dilution: 67.5 ml
Step by step
- 1
Combine the whiskey, syrup and bitters in a mixing glass.
- 2
Add ice and stir for about 30 seconds.
- 3
Strain over a large cube in a rocks glass.
- 4
Express the orange peel and garnish.
GarnishOrange peel
Flavor profile
Story
In 1806 a New York newspaper defined the 'cock-tail' as spirit with sugar, water and bitters. By the late 19th century, as bars added liqueurs and novelties, guests began asking for their cocktail the 'old-fashioned' way.
Technical notes
Stirring with ice before serving gives controlled dilution; building it in the glass works too if stirred patiently. A large cube keeps it cold without over-watering.
Serving
After dinner, sipped slowly.
Origin
Documented · siglo XIX / 19th century · United States
The 1806 definition is documented; the 'Old Fashioned' name emerged gradually in the late 19th century, with no single creator.
Variations
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Reposado tequila and mezcal with agave.
Rum Old Fashioned
With aged rum and piloncillo syrup.
Substitutions
- Rye whiskey for a drier profile.
- A sugar cube muddled with the bitters, the old way.
Pairings
- Grilled beef short rib
- Candied pecans
Techniques
Fat washing
Fat Washing
A spirit is mixed with liquid fat (brown butter, pork fat from chicharrón, coconut oil) to pick up its aromas; it's then frozen and the fat removed.
Intermediate · 5 min read
Syrups, cordials & shrubs
Syrups and Cordials
Syrups are the backbone of balance: simple 1:1, rich 2:1, agave and piloncillo. Cordials add acid and flavor so one component brings both sweetness and sourness.
Beginner · 6 min read
Syrups, cordials & shrubs
Oleo Saccharum
Sugar and citrus peels rest together until the sugar pulls out the essential oils and forms an intensely aromatic syrup, a classic punch base.
Beginner · 4 min read
Smoke & aromatics
Smoking and Aromatics
Smoke and atomized aromas change what we perceive before the first sip. Used well they add depth; overdone, they turn acrid and dominate.
Intermediate · 5 min read
Garnishes
Dehydrated Garnishes
Citrus wheels and fruit dried at low temperature make aromatic, long-lasting garnishes with less waste.
Beginner · 4 min read
Ice
Clear Ice and Carving
Directional freezing produces transparent ice blocks that can be carved into spheres, cubes and spears. They look better, melt slower and dilute predictably.
Intermediate · 6 min read
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Sources
- IBA Official Cocktails (classification to verify)
- Difford's Guide
- Imbibe! by David Wondrich
Version 1 · Updated October 20, 2026