Old Fashioned co*cktail | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

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This classic old fashioned recipe is easy to make with bourbon, bitters, orange peel and your choice of sweetener.

Let’s hear it for the most classic of classic co*cktails — the old fashioned. ♡

This simple whiskey co*cktail will forever and always be a favorite. Made simply with your choice of whiskey, bitters, sweetener, and an orange peel, this drink is easy to craft in just a few minutes. And it’s one of those satisfying, swanky co*cktails that never goes out of style.

I’m partial to adding an orange twist, a chunky ice cube, and a Luxardo cherry to my old fashioned co*cktails. But you’re welcome, of course, to garnish and serve yours however you please. I’ve included various options below for various types of whiskey and sweeteners that you can use. But I have to say that the classic bourbon and sugar cube combo will never let you down.

So grab a glass and let’s craft a delicious old fashioned together.

Old Fashioned Ingredients

Before we get the full recipe below, here are a few notes about the old fashioned ingredients you will need to make this co*cktail:

• Whiskey:A classic old-fashioned co*cktail is traditionally made with bourbon or rye whiskey. I recommend a high-proof bourbon with bold flavor notes, so that its flavor will not be overpowered by the orange and bitters.
• Bitters:Angostura bitters are most commonly used in this co*cktail. I generally add about 3 to 4 shakes, but feel free to add as many as you prefer.
• Sweetener:A sugar cube (1 teaspoon granulated white sugar) is said to have been the original sweetener for this co*cktail, which is typically soaked with a few shakes of bitters and muddled with a splash of water. You’re welcome to go that route, or measure out 1 teaspoon of granulated white sugar if you don’t keep sugar cubes on hand. Or of course, you can also use whatever other variety and amount of sweetener you prefer in your co*cktail, such as simple syrup, maple syrup, coconut sugar.
• Ice:I highly recommend using a large ice cube (either a cube or sphere) in this co*cktail. A larger ice cube has less total surface area, which slows down the melting process and dilutes your drink less quickly. That said, feel free to use whatever type of ice you have on hand. And if you prefer not to serve the co*cktail on ice, you can stir or shake the co*cktail with the ice until chilled and then strain out the ice before serving.
• Orange peel (optional):I feel like orange peel adds so much to this simple co*cktail. Simply use a Y-peeler or a swivel peeler to make a 1-inch-wide strip of fresh orange peel. Then give the orange peel a twist directly above the drink to express the oils into the glass, which adds such a lovely citrus perfume to the co*cktail. For extra orange flavor, you’re welcome to also run the orange peel around the rim of the glass before adding in the other ingredients. And I always love adding the peel to the drink as well as a pretty garnish.
• Luxardo cherries (optional): We always add one or two good-quality maraschino cherries (such as Luxardo cherries) to our old fashioned co*cktails, which I think taste absolutely divine with the bourbon, but you’re welcome to leave the co*cktail cherries out if you prefer.

How To Make An Old Fashioned

Here are the basic steps for how to make an old fashioned co*cktail:

1. Muddle the sugar. If you’re going the classic sugar cube route, add it to a lowball glass, top with the water and bitters, and use a muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon) to muddle and stir the mixture until the sugar is nearly dissolved. If you’re using a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup or simple syrup, you can skip this step and stir the sweetener and bitters directly into the bourbon.
2. Mix.Add the bourbon and a large ice cube. Stir vigorously for 10 seconds or until the liquid is chilled.
3. Garnish.Add a maraschino cherry or two, if desired. Gently twist the orange peel* directly over the glass, in order to express its oil, then drop the orange peel into the glass.
4. Serve.Serve immediately and enjoy!

Old Fashioned co*cktail FAQ

When did the old fashioned co*cktail originate? The historical origins of this co*cktail are definitely murky, but it likely originated sometime during the mid-19th century. Here’s a great article about the “muddled” history of the old fashioned if you’d like to read more.

Is it best to use bourbon or rye for old fashioned co*cktails? Up to you. Bourbon tends to be more sweet and full-bodied, whereas rye is drier, less sweet and can be a bit spicy.

What is the best bourbon for old fashioned co*cktails? I recommend a high-proof bourbon with bold flavor notes, so that the bourbon flavor is not overpowered by the orange and bitters. Bulleit, Four Roses Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace are some widely-available bourbons that I always enjoy in this co*cktail.

What is the best glass for an old fashioned?A lowball glass (also known as an old fashioned glass or a rocks glass) is traditionally used for this co*cktail.

Does an old-fashioned need ice?You need ice to chill the co*cktail. But you are welcome to strain out the ice before serving if you prefer.

Favorite Whiskey co*cktails

Looking for more whiskey co*cktail recipes to try? Here are a few of my favorites:

• Manhattan
• Boulevardier
• Hot Toddy
• Bourbon Margarita
• Cranberry Bourbon Fizz

Old Fashioned

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 7 reviews

• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Total Time: 3 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving 1x

Print Recipe

See Also

Everything You Need to Know About Bourbon and Bitters

Description

This classic old fashioned recipe is easy to make with bourbon, bitters and your choice of sweetener.

Ingredients

Scale

• 1 sugar cube(1 teaspoon granulated white sugar*)
• 1 teaspoon water
• 3 to 4 shakes Angostura bitters
• 2 ounces bourbon
• 1 Luxardo cherry(optional)
• orange peel

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Instructions

1. Muddle the sugar. Add the sugar cube to a lowball glass. Top with the water and bitters, then use a muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon) to combine until the sugar is nearly dissolved.
2. Mix. Add the bourbon and a large ice cube. Stir vigorously for 10 seconds or until the liquid is chilled.
3. Garnish. Add a co*cktail cherry or two, if desired. Gently twist the orange peel directly over the glass, in order to express its oil into the co*cktail, then add the orange peel as a garnish.
4. Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy. Cheers!

Equipment

Luxardo Cherries

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co*cktail Muddler and Spoon Set

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Ice Cube Molds

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Notes

Sweetener options:Feel free to use a different type of granulated sugar if you prefer, such as coconut sugar. Or you can sub in a liquid sweetener, such as maple syrup or simple syrup, in which case you can just directly mix the sweetener and bitters in with the bourbon.

Orange peel:I also love to run the orange peel around the rim of the glass before mixing the drink to add an extra hint of orange flavor.