100 Best Old Fashioned Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is an Old Fashioned better with simple syrup or sugar cube? ›

Use Rich Simple Syrup

The sugar cube is one Old Fashioned tradition that can definitely be skipped. While many recipes call for it, it offers no advantage over using a rich simple syrup and has several disadvantages. Most obviously, you have to find and buy sugar cubes and a muddler.

An Old Fashioned calls for two to three dashes of bitters—no more, no less—that are added to the glass once the sugar or simple syrup is in. While the amount seems small, having too many or too few dashes can dramatically change the taste makeup of the drink. The type and quality of bitters matters too.

Angostura makes perhaps the most ubiquitous bitters bottles out there, one that you'll see in nearly every bar - and one that you should have in your co*cktail arsenal at home. This reddish-brown bitters provides a fragrant bouquet of fruits and spices, and it's an essential ingredient for any classic Old Fashioned.

1 cube of Angostura soaked sugar cube: Brown Demerara sugar cubes work well in an Old Fashioned co*cktail. The classic recipe, according to most mixologists, calls for Brown Demerara sugar cubes. Sugar cubes are previously measured, allowing for consistent whiskey to bitters ratios.

With that said, bourbon is often the go-to whiskey choice for an Old Fashioned. The relatively heavy body of the mostly corn-based spirit creates structure within the co*cktail, and its natural sweetness helps counterbalance the more astringent elements of bitters.

A top-shelf choice, Woodford Reserve is often revered for its smooth and full-bodied character. With hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and a touch of spice, this bourbon adds a layer of sophistication to your Old Fashioned. It's an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more refined and complex co*cktail.

Be very conservative with the water at the end. Muddle carefully in the bottom of an old fashioned glass the sugar, Angostura, one orange, one cherry, and a splash of soda. Remove the orange rind and add Bourbon, ice, and soda or water. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and a cherry.

According to Jon Adler, mixology wizard and bar manager at Shinji's in NYC, most bitters, including Angostura, do not go bad since they generally have an alcohol content of about 45 percent ABV. “The alcohol [or glycerin] works as a preservative so they will never go rancid.

Why is my old fashioned bitter? ›

If it's a bit too sweet try another dash or two of bitters. Taste again. If it's too strong (alcohol seems overpowering) stir it a bit more to get the ice melting and make sure everything is mixed. If it seems to bitter add a touch more sugar.

If you want a more sweet Old Fashioned, ask for less bitters in your drink. Typical Old Fashioneds don't have much more than a splash of bitters in them. However, every bartender is different, and your bar could use more bitters on average. For example, “I'll have a Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned, extra sweet.”

On average, bitters last around 5 years.

However, there's no need to refrigerate bitters. Even though there are organic compounds in bitters, the amount of alcohol acts as a natural sterilizer and preservation agent. So, feel free to leave it on your bar cart or in your liquor storage cabinets without having to worry.

In 1870, Siegert's three sons migrated to Trinidad and established the bitters as an essential ingredient in co*cktails and food. With four bitters variations: Aromatic Bitters, Orange Bitters, Cocoa Bitters, and Amaro Di Angostura, Angostura is a staple for bartenders and professional and home cooks.

That's because the Brandy Old Fashioned is the (un)official co*cktail of Wisconsin. Nationally, Old Fashioneds are typically made with rye or bourbon whiskey, but the true Wisconsin Old Fashioned is made with brandy -- Korbel by tradition.

Simple syrup is used to allow sugar to be evenly mixed throughout a drink, particularly one served cold, by pre-dissolving the granulated sugar in water ahead of time to avoid clumping. It's also one of the easiest ingredients to make yourself—if you can boil water, you can make simple syrup.

The right style of ice depends on the co*cktail. For spirit-forward drinks served in a rocks glass, like the Negroni or Old Fashioned, a single large block or sphere is ideal. For a tall drink like a highball or Tom Collins, or shorter drinks like a Tommy's Margarita, multiple smaller cubes work well.

Old Fashioned Ingredients

Sugar cube – If you don't have sugar cubes, you can use 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and muddle it with the bitters and water. You can also use 1 teaspoon of simple syrup in place of both the sugar cube/granulated sugar and water.

Place the sugar cube in the bottom of an Old Fashioned glass and soak with 4-6 dashes (or drops) of Aromatic Bitters. Add a splash of water and muddle the sugar until it dissolves fully in the water and bitters.