Classic Old-Fashioned Recipe

Bourbon: A type of American whiskey that forms the base of the cocktail.

Sugar cube: Provides the sweetness needed to balance the drink.

Angostura bitters: Adds complexity and depth to the flavor profile.

Orange peel: Used as a garnish to add a citrus aroma.

Maraschino cherry: A sweet cherry used as a garnish.

When muddling the sugar cube with bitters and a splash of water, ensure you use a gentle but firm pressure to fully dissolve the sugar. This creates a smooth base for the bourbon and helps to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the cocktail.

• bourbon - Substitute with rye whiskey: Rye whiskey offers a spicier and more robust flavor profile, which can add a different dimension to the classic cocktail.

• bourbon - Substitute with brandy: Brandy provides a sweeter and fruitier taste, making the drink smoother and slightly different in character.

• sugar cube - Substitute with simple syrup: Simple syrup dissolves more easily and evenly, ensuring a consistent sweetness throughout the drink.

• sugar cube - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a unique, rich sweetness and a hint of maple flavor, giving the cocktail a distinctive twist.

• angostura bitters - Substitute with orange bitters: Orange bitters introduce a citrusy note that complements the other flavors in the cocktail.

• angostura bitters - Substitute with peychaud's bitters: Peychaud's bitters have a slightly sweeter and more floral profile, which can add a different layer of complexity to the drink.

• orange peel - Substitute with lemon peel: Lemon peel provides a brighter, more acidic citrus note, which can refresh the overall flavor of the cocktail.

• orange peel - Substitute with grapefruit peel: Grapefruit peel offers a slightly bitter and aromatic citrus flavor, adding a unique twist to the garnish.

• maraschino cherry - Substitute with brandied cherry: Brandied cherries have a richer and more complex flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the cocktail.

• maraschino cherry - Substitute with fresh cherry: Fresh cherries provide a natural sweetness and a more authentic fruit flavor, making the garnish more vibrant.

• To keep your Classic Old-Fashioned fresh, store any leftover bourbon in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. This helps maintain its rich flavor profile.
• If you have extra sugar cubes, keep them in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing moisture and clumping together.
• Angostura bitters should be stored in a cool, dry place. The high alcohol content ensures a long shelf life, so no need to refrigerate.
• For the orange peel, if you have extra, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for a few days.
• Maraschino cherries should be kept in their original jar, tightly sealed, and stored in the refrigerator. They can last for several months this way.
• If you want to prepare the drink in advance, mix the bourbon, bitters, and sugar in a sealed container and refrigerate. When ready to serve, just add ice and garnish.
• For freezing, it's best to avoid freezing the entire Old-Fashioned cocktail as the texture and flavor can be compromised. However, you can freeze the orange peel and maraschino cherries separately if needed. Wrap the orange peel in plastic wrap and place the maraschino cherries in a freezer-safe container.
• If you want to make ice cubes specifically for your Old-Fashioned, use filtered water and freeze in large molds to ensure they melt slowly and don't dilute your drink too quickly.

• Place the leftover Classic Old-Fashioned in a glass container with a lid. This helps to preserve the flavors and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping in.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to reheat it within a day or two. For longer storage, consider freezing the drink in an ice cube tray.
• When ready to reheat, avoid using a microwave as it can alter the taste and texture of the drink. Instead, opt for a gentle warming method.
• Pour the Classic Old-Fashioned into a small saucepan and warm it over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
• Once the drink is warm, pour it back into an old-fashioned glass over a fresh large ice cube.
• Garnish with a fresh orange peel and maraschino cherry to revive the original presentation and aroma.

• Old-fashioned glass: A short, sturdy glass traditionally used for serving the old-fashioned cocktail.

• Muddler: A tool used to crush the sugar cube and mix it with the bitters and water.

• Bar spoon: A long-handled spoon used for stirring the cocktail to ensure proper mixing.

• Large ice cube tray: A tray used to make large ice cubes, which melt slower and dilute the drink less.

• Peeler: A tool used to peel the orange for the garnish.

• Cocktail pick: A small skewer used to hold the maraschino cherry for garnish.

Pre-muddle the sugar: Prepare a batch of sugar cubes with bitters in advance and store them in an airtight container.

Use simple syrup: Replace the sugar cube with simple syrup to save time on dissolving.

Pre-cut garnishes: Slice orange peels and prepare maraschino cherries ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Large ice cubes: Use pre-made large ice cubes to chill the drink faster and prevent dilution.

Batch cocktails: Mix a larger quantity of bourbon and bitters in advance and store it in a bottle for quick serving.