Classic Bourbon Old Fashioned Cocktail
A timeless bourbon cocktail made with bourbon whiskey, sugar, bitters, and orange peel. Perfectly balanced and endlessly customizable, it’s smooth, aromatic, and full of old-fashioned charm.
Equipment
- Rocks glass
- Mixing glass
- Bar spoon
- Muddler
- Jigger
- Strainer
- Peeler
- Large ice cube
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon whiskey Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Bulleit, or Knob Creek
- 1 sugar cube or 1/2 tsp simple syrup, or demerara/maple syrup for a twist
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters add a dash of orange bitters if desired
- 1 orange peel for garnish
- 1 maraschino cherry optional, for garnish
- 1 splash water if using sugar cube
- ice cubes or one large clear ice cube
Instructions
- Drop the sugar cube in the bottom of your rocks glass.
- Add the bitters and a splash of water right on top.
- Muddle it all together until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour in the bourbon.
- Add a big ice cube or a few smaller ones.
- Stir for about 30 seconds, just until it’s nice and cold.
- Take an orange peel, twist it over the glass to release those oils, and drop it in.
- If you like, toss in a maraschino cherry for garnish.
Notes
Use a good bourbon for the best results. Four Roses Small Batch and Elijah Craig are both excellent choices. For a sweeter version, try honey or maple syrup instead of sugar. Luxardo cherries make a great garnish. To make a batch, prep everything but the ice ahead of time and stir before serving.