How to Make an Old Fashioned

Co-authored by Kady Richardson and Amber Crain

Last Updated: September 14, 2023

The Old-Fashioned is one of the oldest and most traditional cocktails around. Although you only need 3 ingredients to make it, the combination yields uniquely complex results. If you want to experiment with the flavor, try substituting the traditional ingredients with different types of alcohols, sweeteners, and garnishes. Your spin on the classic recipe just might become your drink of choice!

Ingredients

Classic Old-Fashioned Cocktail

2 ounces (60 ml) of bourbon whiskey
1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) of simple syrup
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Ice
Orange peel, for garnish (optional)

Makes 1 cocktail

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Classic Old-Fashioned Cocktail

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1
Add the bourbon whiskey and simple syrup to a mixing glass. Measure out 2 ounces (60 ml) of bourbon whiskey and 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) of simple syrup and pour both of them into the mixing glass. You can use store-bought syrup or make your own simple syrup at home.^{[1]
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- You can also use rye whiskey for this cocktail, if you'd like.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kady Richardson
  Mixologist
  
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}
- Simple syrup is the best choice for cocktails because it's already in liquid form, but for a traditional Old Fashioned, you would use 1 sugar cube instead of the simple syrup. Place the sugar cube in the bottom of the glass, then add 1 bar spoon of water and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kady Richardson
  Mixologist
  
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}
- You can also use maple syrup as a quick alternative.
2
Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters to the mixing glass. Alcoholic bitters help to bind cocktail ingredients together and boost the flavors. They come in a range of flavors, but Angostura bitters are preferred for this beverage. Simply add 2 quick dashes to the mixing glass.^{[4]
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- If you don't have Angostura bitters on hand, use orange bitters.^{[5]
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- It's important to stick to 2 or 3 dashes of bitters. Any more or less won't create the classic flavor you're going for.
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3
Place a handful of ice cubes into the mixing glass. It's best to use cubed ice cubes. You can buy them or make your own with tap or filtered water. Using filtered water may make a small difference in the overall flavor.^{[6]
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- Most people probably won't be able to taste the difference between tap water and filtered water.
4
Stir the ingredients together with a bar spoon for 10-15 seconds. You often hear about cocktails being shaken or stirred, and stirring is customary for this drink. Use the bar spoon to swish the ingredients around in the mixing glass until they're evenly distributed.^{[7]
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- Don't stir the ingredients for more than 30 seconds. You want to chill the liquid without melting the ice too much.^{[8]
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5
Fill a rocks glass with large cubes of ice. As before, use store-bought or filtered water ice cubes for the best flavor. Use large ice cubes since they'll melt slower and create less dilution than small cubes or crushed ice.^{[9]
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- A rocks glass is traditional for an Old-Fashioned, but you can use any glass you have on hand.
- You can skip the ice if you don't want a chilled beverage and to prevent dilution.
Hold a strainer over the mouth of the mixing glass and carefully pour the cocktail into the glass. The finished cocktail plus a handful of ice will fill a standard-sized rocks glass about halfway.^{[10]
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7
Garnish the drink with an orange peel. Cut off a 2 in (5.1 cm) piece of orange peel and twist the peel over the Old-Fashioned to express the oil. Then, lightly graze the orange peel around the rim of the rocks glass before dropping it into the cocktail. Your classic Old-Fashioned is ready to enjoy!^{[11]
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Kady Richardson
Mixologist

Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}
- Old-Fashioned cocktails were originally enjoyed before meals to stimulate the appetite. Give this a try, or simply enjoy the cocktail any time you like.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Variations

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1
Replace the whiskey with gin, brandy, or rum for a unique flavor. Bourbon or rye whiskey are classic choices, but if you don't like the taste, you can certainly switch things up. Just substitute the same amount of your favorite gin, brandy, or rum for the whiskey.^{[12]
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- Dark, aged rum is particularly delicious!
- You can also experiment with using different bitters or even liqueurs in your cocktail.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kady Richardson
  Mixologist
  
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}
2
Experiment with sugar syrups for a range of sweet flavors. Regular simple syrup is common cocktail ingredient made from white granulated sugar. If you want to try something more exotic, experiment with gum syrup, demerara syrup, brown sugar syrup, or sugar cane syrup. Agave syrup can also add a unique spin on the flavor.
- You can also experiment with honey, maple syrup, and molasses to achieve customized flavors.
- For a smoky take on an Old Fashioned, use mezcal or tequila as your spirit, and swap the sugar cube for a bit of agave.^{[14]
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  Kady Richardson
  Mixologist
  
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}
Cubes of ice work perfectly fine for Old-Fashioned cocktails, but sometimes you'll see ice balls being used by fancier bar establishments or cocktail connoisseurs. You can easily make ice balls at home and enjoy them in your favorite cocktails.^{[15]
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4
Try a variety of citrus garnishes or add cherries to your cocktail. Orange is the traditional garnish, but maraschino cherries are a popular and tasty alternative! Drop 1 or several cherries into the rocks glass before serving the drink.^{[16]
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- For a fruity variation, drop an orange wheel or slice into the drink with the cherries.
- Try using a lemon or lime peel instead of the traditional orange peel for a slightly different flavor.
- For an herbal cocktail, infuse rosemary into simple syrup and use that in the drink, then garnish with a sprig of the rosemary, as well.^{[17]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kady Richardson
  Mixologist
  
  Expert Interview. 6 August 2020.}

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you make an Old Fashioned from scratch?

Kady Richardson
Mixologist
Kady Richardson is a mixologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kady has completed the Comprehensive Bartending Training Program at The Cocktail Camp in San Francisco and specializes in creating approachable, at-home recipes for cocktails. Kady holds a BA in American Studies and an MA in Sociology from Stanford University.

Kady Richardson

Mixologist

Expert Answer

The traditional way of making an Old Fashioned is with bourbon or rye whiskey, one sugar cube, a bar spoonful of water, about 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters, and a 2-inch long orange peel as a garnish.

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Question

Who makes the best rye whiskey?

Community Answer

Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey is a classic; it's been around since 1810.

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