Old Fashioned
Also known as Classic Old-Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a very strong whiskey spirit-forward cocktail, sweet and smoky on the palate. Built and served in a rocks glass. Also known as the Classic Old-Fashioned. It's one of the International Bartenders Association's official unforgettables cocktails.
- 2 min
- Rocks glass
- Built
Flavor profile
- Sweet
- 70 out of 100
- Bitter
- 42 out of 100
- Herbal
- 35 out of 100
- Smoky
- 46 out of 100
- Boozy
- 95 out of 100
How to make an Old Fashioned
To make an Old Fashioned, build over ice in a rocks glass: 1½ oz bourbon, 2 dashes Angostura bitters and ¼ oz simple syrup. Garnish with orange peel and maraschino cherry.
You'll need
- Bourbon1½ oz
- Angostura bitters2 dashes
- Simple syrupor 1 sugar cube + a splash of water¼ oz
- Orange peel, Maraschino cherrygarnish
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Instructions
- 1
Add the simple syrup and Angostura bitters to a rocks glass.
- 2
Pour in bourbon.
- 3
Add one large ice cube.
- 4
Stir for 15-20 seconds, until the glass feels cold.
- 5
Garnish with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry.
Why build it in the glass? Bourbon, Angostura bitters and simple syrup only need a gentle stir, so there's no shaker to wash.
No simple syrup? Muddle 1 sugar cube with the Angostura bitters and a splash of water in the glass until it dissolves, then carry on.
Old Fashioned questions
What does an Old Fashioned taste like, and is it sweet?
Yes, it's on the sweet side: it's mostly sweet and smoky, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a very strong drink at about 29% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in an Old Fashioned?
About 29% ABV after mixing with ice, close to a neat spirit.
Is a Classic Old-Fashioned the same as an Old Fashioned?
Yes. Classic Old-Fashioned is another name for the Old Fashioned; the recipe on this page covers both.
What's the difference between an Old Fashioned and a Mint Julep?
Both use bourbon and simple syrup. The Old Fashioned adds Angostura bitters, while the Mint Julep uses mint.
What glass do you serve an Old Fashioned in?
A rocks glass.