Old Fashioned
The primordial cocktail—whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water—showcasing the base spirit in its purest, most aromatic form.
39%
ABV
155
Calories
Rocks
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add simple syrup and bitters to a chilled rocks glass
Add bourbon and a large ice cube
Stir 20–25 seconds to chill and dilute
Express an orange peel over the surface and place in the drink
Glassware
Served over one large ice cube in a rocks glass
Garnish
Express oils over drink, then drop in or discard
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a single large cube to control dilution
Choose a 100-proof bourbon or rye for structure
Store syrup and bitters at room temperature but keep citrus fresh
A few drops of saline make the cocktail's flavors pop
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Old Fashioned.
Brandy Old Fashioned
Wisconsin's state cocktail—brandy, sugar, and bitters built over ice, often finished 'sweet' or 'sour' with soda.
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Reposado tequila meets smoky mezcal, agave and bitters for Phil Ward's modern agave spin on the Old Fashioned.
Rum Old Fashioned
A masterful intersection of classic cocktail simplicity and the rich, diverse world of sugarcane spirits, showcasing rum's rightful place among great sipping spirits.
Gin Old Fashioned
A botanical take on the template—gin stirred with sugar and bitters over a large cube.
Other Variations
Press
Wisconsin style topped with equal parts lemon-lime soda and club soda.
Changes
Regal Stir
Stir a piece of orange peel with the drink for subtle citrus without muddling.
Changes
History & Heritage
“First recorded in 1806 as the very definition of a "cocktail"—spirit, sugar, water, bitters—the drink later took the name "Old Fashioned" at Kentucky's Pendennis Club in the 1880s to distinguish it from newer, frillier concoctions. Prohibition muddied the recipe with fruit and soda, but the 21st-century craft revival restored the minimalist whiskey-forward style.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Mint Julep
A Southern staple of bourbon, sugar, and mint served in an icy silver cup—official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Boston Sour
A whiskey sour with a silky crown—bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup shaken with egg white for a classic foam.
Brandy Old Fashioned
Wisconsin's state cocktail—brandy, sugar, and bitters built over ice, often finished 'sweet' or 'sour' with soda.