How to Make Bourbon Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

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Whether you’re entertaining friends or simply want a very sippable evening cocktail, this recipe walks you through how to make a bourbon old fashioned cocktail the classic way.

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classic old fashioned cocktail
how to make an old fashioned cocktail

Why You Should Make This Bourbon Old Fashioned Cocktail the Classic Way

You may have seen old fashioned cocktails muddled right in the rocks glass and then served. This recipe requires a little more finesse, but the extra steps are worth it.

Old Fashioned is the Ultimate Winter Cocktail

A good friend introduced me to the concept of drinking seasonally. Which meant not only swapping Coronas and Summer Ales to Guinesses and Pumpkin IPAs.

And switching to darker liquor, and moving on from rum and vodka to bourbons and scotches, for the winter months.

So now, since it’s officially winter, I can’t help but to think of cold-weather cocktails.

Old fashioned is an oldie, but goodie.

And while speakeasies and mixologists love to make classic cocktails like these seem complicated, they’re not and you can make it at home at fraction of the cost.

Here is how to make a classic old fashioned cocktail with bourbon.

old fashioned with bourbon

Ingredients

  • bourbon or rye whiskey
  • sugar cubes or finely grained sugar
  • Aromatic bitters
  • orange
  • orange peel
  • cherry juice
  • Bourbon cherries
  • ice  (I prefer using these spheres, they melt slow retaining the integrity of the drink and also look cool )
old fashioned with bourbon

Classic Old Fashioned Recipe

… besos, ALINA
Here is how to make a bourbon old fashioned recipe the classic way at home.
Course Drinks
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz bourbon or whiskey
  • 2 drops aromatic bitters
  • 1 orange
  • 1 tsp cherry juice
  • 1 bourbon cherry

Instructions
 

  • Combine sugar and bitters, cherry juice and a slice of orange in a shaker.
  • Use a muddler to help blend the ingredients together.
  • Next add your bourbon.
  • Add ice to the shaker and stir the contents or shake.
  • Take a rocks glass, add your ice sphere and pour the bourbon cocktail over the ice.
  • Now take a the orange peel and gently rub it on the rim of the glass before dropping it into your cocktail.
  • Enjoy!

Shop Old Fashioned Cocktail Essentials


Old Fashioned Mix

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Sphere Ice Mold

Whiskey Glasses

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Additional Notes & Tips About This Cocktail

What is the best bourbon or whiskey to make an old fashioned cocktail?

The one you have at home! This classic old fashioned cocktail works great with any whiskey, rye whiskey or bourbon you have on hand. Lately, we’ve been loving Bulleit Bourbon. It’s delicious and not that expensive.

How do you peel an orange in an old fashioned?

Instead of a knife, I prefer to use a vegetable peeler. It allows you to perfectly cut a wide and thick enough peel for the cocktail. But you could also use a pairing knife, and carefully cut a coin wide strip of the fruit skin. 

Next add your ice. I prefer using a silicone tray that makes a jumbo square or a round sphere. First, the large ice melts longer so it doesn’t interfere with the integrity of the drink and second it looks more professional.

Finally, add your bourbon cherry and enjoy!

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