Classic Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail
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The Old Fashioned is a quintessential bourbon cocktail that can be served for everything from cozy evenings by the fire to celebratory gatherings with friends. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or hosting a dinner party, the Old Fashioned offers a perfect balance of warmth and sophistication.
Dating back to the early 1800s, the Old Fashioned is considered one of the first true cocktails, originally made with just spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. It gained widespread popularity in the late 19th century and has remained a staple in the cocktail world ever since.
Cocktail enthusiasts have become very territorial around the Old Fashioned and the purity of its recipe. My recipe deviates from the classic recipe for an Old Fashioned cocktail by adding a splash of citrus. (Gasp!) An Old Fashioned is a pretty straight-forward way to enjoy bourbon. The traditional orange peel expressed over the glass always makes me wish there was actually orange in my glass. So for my version of an Old Fashioned, there is. Just a little.
If you’re a fan of the Old Fashioned, you might also enjoy other bourbon cocktails like a Bourbon Ginger Sour or Brown Derby cocktail. Not sure if you like bourbon? Try a Bourbon and Ginger Cocktail, my favorite drink to make for people starting out on their bourbon journey.
Ingredients
- Bourbon – Choose your favorite bourbon for this cocktail. Since it’s such a spirit forward drink, I like to use a nicer bourbon for an Old Fashioned like Four Roses Single Barrel. If you’re new to bourbon, start with a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey like Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, or Maker’s Mark.
- Aromatic bitters – Angostura aromatic bitters is the gold standard in cocktail bitters for an Old Fashioned. This ingredient is, however, an easy what to change up this cocktail. Try orange bitters or walnut bitters in place of classic Angostura bitters for a slight twist.
- Brown Sugar Syrup – An Old Fashioned needs a little sweetness, either from a sugar cube (super classic approach) or from a splash of simple syrup. I like the pairing of the molasses in brown sugar with the smokiness in the bourbon, which is why it’s my sweetener of choice here. Demerara Syrup (simple syrup made from raw turbinado sugar) is a popular choice as well.
- Orange – This fruit plays double duty in this cocktail. You’ll need a large piece of the peel to finish the drink, as well as about a quarter of the orange to add a little juice into your Old Fashioned.
- Luxardo maraschino cherries – A high standard of cocktail cherries, these are NOT the bright red sundae cherries you put into a Shirley Temple. Find these dark, sweet cherries in the mixer and garnish section of your local liquor store.
How to Make a Classic Old Fashioned (Step by Step)
In a mixing glass half filled with ice cubes, add bourbon, bitters, brown sugar syrup, and orange juice.
Stir well with a bar spoon to chill everything.
Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube in it.
Using a vegetable peeler, remove a large piece of peel from an orange.
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Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3 dashes aromatic bitters
- 0.5 oz brown sugar syrup
- 0.5 oz orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 piece orange peel
- 1 Luxardo maraschino cherry
Instructions
- In a mixing glass half filled with ice cubes, add bourbon, bitters, brown sugar syrup, and orange juice.2 oz bourbon, 3 dashes aromatic bitters, 0.5 oz brown sugar syrup, 0.5 oz orange juice
- Stir well to chill everything.
- Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube in it.
- Using a vegetable peeler, remove a large piece of peel from an orange.
- Squeeze the peel over your drink, then run it around the rim of the glass before adding it to your drink.1 piece orange peel
- Garnish with a Luxardo maraschino cherry.1 Luxardo maraschino cherry
- Sip and enjoy!
Make Brown Sugar Syrup
Brown sugar simple syrup is easily made in your microwave with only 2 ingredients! Get my recipe and instructions over on my Brown Sugar Syrup recipe page.
Happy Hour Snack Pairings
Salty and savory happy hour appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates or homemade potato chips pair well with Old Fashioned cocktails and enhance the cocktail’s rich flavor.
Don’t Miss These Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipes
Bourbon is a spirit that goes with so many flavors, making variations on Old Fashioned cocktails endless! There’s an easy Maple Old Fashioned. Or try an Apple Cider Old Fashioned, Cranberry Old Fashioned. Want something more summery? Stir up a Peach Old Fashioned and Pineapple Old Fashioned. Or make my most popular bourbon recipe, a Coffee Old Fashioned.
I made these for our NYE dinner last night. Amazing! I had too many. LOL.
We recreated a “Wisconsin Supper Club” meal at home (if you are familiar with WI Supper Clubs). Having an Old Fashioned is da thing when you go there for “supper”. At least, that’s what I was told. 🙂
Thanks for the great recipe, Katy!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Juyali!!