Best Old Fashioned Recipe
How to Make an Old Fashioned – This classic adult beverage is simple, sweet, and boozy. It’s the perfect old-fashioned cocktail recipe to mix up for pre-dinner drinks, cigar lounge cocktails, or a themed speakeasy party!
Why We Love Old Fashioned Cocktails
If you’re looking to conquer traditional cocktails this season, making the perfect Old-Fashioned Cocktail recipe should be at the top of your list. This whiskey cocktail is both elegant and rustic. It’s bold and refreshing. And it’s perfect to serve any time of year!
Traditionally, a classic old fashioned was made with rye whiskey. However, nowadays, it can be made with either rye whiskey or bourbon liquor, whichever you prefer. Simply pick a good brand you would sip on its own, since it is the primary flavor.
This happens to be one of my husband’s absolute favorite bourbon cocktails, so as you can imagine, he has perfected it over the years. If you love a serious cocktail mixed by a serious cocktail lover, you will love our version of this old-fashioned!
Old Fashioned Ingredients
- Simple syrup – try our easy recipe for homemade simple syrup
- Bitters – your favorite brand
- Bourbon or rye whiskey – bourbon is usually sweeter, while rye has more of a harsh taste
- Bourbon cherry – or a Luxardo cherry
- Lemon twist – optional garnish
How to Make an Old-Fashioned Cocktail
- Measure and pour ½ ounce of simple syrup into a lowball glass (rocks glass). Add the bitters to the simple syrup and muddle with a metal spoon.
- Then pour the bourbon into the glass and stir again.
- Add one large block of ice, or several large ice cubes, to the glass.
- Garnish with a Luxardo cherry and a twist of lemon.
Get the Complete (Printable) Best Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- This old-fashioned recipe makes 1 drink. Increase the ingredients to make however many drinks you are serving.
- Feel free to swap simple syrup with agave for a sweet drink with no granulated sugar.
- Do not make these drinks ahead of time… Craft each cocktail on-demand for the best taste!
- We love the luxurious taste of Luxardo cherries. But classic maraschino cherries are also delicious in this cocktail recipe.
- Go easy on the bitters… A couple of dashes go a long way! Too few and you won’t get the delicious bitter flavor, but too much and the bitters will take over the whole drink.
- Feel free to use an orange twist instead of lemon. Orange peel is a bit sweeter, so it goes well with spicier rye whiskey. Also, consider using orange bitters if you are making this swap.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Manhattan cocktail usually includes a sweet vermouth for a milder, warm, and caramel-y flavor. But an old-fashioned uses simple syrup, which gives the drink a pronounced straight-up sweet taste.
This is totally a personal taste. Angostura bitters are a classic for old-fashioned cocktails, but any option with a hint of citrus will likely pair well with this drink.
Looking for More Classic Cocktail Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
- Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
- Sazerac Cocktail Recipe
- The Champ Bourbon Cocktail
- Plum Ginger Whiskey Sour
- Top 50 Simple Mixed Drinks
Best Old Fashioned Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 6-8 dashes bitters
- 2 ½ ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 bourbon cherry Luxardo cherry
- 1 lemon twist
Instructions
- Set out a lowball glass. Measure and pour ½ ounce of simple syrup into the glass. Add the bitters to the simple syrup and stir.
- Then pour the bourbon into the glass and stir again.
- Add one large block of ice to the glass (or several large ice cubes).
- Garnish with a Luxardo cherry and a twist of lemon.
Loved this drink! Such a fun flavor and simple to make!