The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest mixed drinks, made with bourbon whiskey, a sugar cube, and some bitters. You will love this classic cocktail.
It’s believed that the classic Old Fashioned was first made in the beginning of the 1800s with the combination of liquor, bitters, sugar, and a splash of water. While this started with any liquor, it eventually evolved into the cocktail we know today.
Old Fashioned Ingredients
Just four ingredients are required for this classic cocktail. For the ingredient measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Bourbon or rye whiskey: See more on whiskey for this recipe below.
- Sugar cube: Make sure to get some sugar cubes to have on hand, as they really do make this recipe work best.
- Bitters: A bar staple, we talk more about what Angostura bitters do below. These are essential for a variety of cocktails!
- Water
Bourbon vs Whiskey
Bourbon is a specific type of whiskey that is often associated with being produced in Kentucky. While not all whiskey is bourbon, all bourbon is whiskey. Whiskey is made from multiple different types of grain, while bourbon is primarily made from corn.
While an Old Fashioned is often made with bourbon, rye whiskey is another great choice.
How to Make an Old Fashioned
An Old Fashioned recipe is made by muddling a bitters-soaked sugar cube before combining the other ingredients. For the full recipe and measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Add a sugar cube to a small tumbler, and saturate it with a few drops of bitters.
- Muddle the sugar cube.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Top it with bourbon and a splash of water.
- Give everything a gentle stir and serve.
Using Bitters
Bitters is a fundamental ingredient in a classic Old Fashioned recipe. It is also a great ingredient to keep in your liquor cabinet. It’s also a fundamental ingredient in our Manhattan recipe.
Bitters is alcohol that has been infused with botanicals like herbs, roots, and fruit. It is usually about 44% alcohol and perfect in small quantities. This is the perfect small addition to so many cocktails.
How to Serve an Old Fashioned Cocktail
Old Fashioneds are typically served in a small tumbler – often called a rocks glass or even an Old Fashioned glass. It is served on the rocks or with ice. We love to garnish our Old Fashioned recipe with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.
Tumbler Glasses
Other Classic Cocktails
If you make this Old Fashioned, leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 1 sugar cube or 1 tsp sugar
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 dash water
Instructions
- Add a sugar cube to a small tumbler, and saturate it with a few drops of bitters.
- Muddle the sugar cube.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Top it with the bourbon and splash of water.
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