The short answer: This old fashioned recipe needs 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey, 1 sugar cube or ¼ ounce of simple syrup, 2 to 3 dashes of aromatic bitters and a strip of orange peel. Stir everything with ice for about 30 seconds, strain it over one large ice cube, and twist the orange peel over the top. It takes about 3 minutes and makes 1 drink.
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Prep time: 10 minCook time: 0 minTotal time: 10 minServings: 1 drink
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I love watching cooking shows, and the old fashioned is a good reminder that a classic can be just a few simple ingredients handled with care.
Old fashioned ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon or rye whiskey | 2 ounces | Bourbon is sweeter, rye is spicier |
| Sugar cube or simple syrup | 1 cube or ¼ ounce | 1 teaspoon granulated sugar works too |
| Aromatic bitters | 2 to 3 dashes | Orange bitters are a nice extra dash |
| Water | 1 teaspoon (with a sugar cube only) | Helps the sugar dissolve |
| Orange peel | 1 wide strip | Use a vegetable peeler, skip the white pith |
| Large ice cube | 1 | Melts slowly so the drink stays strong |
| Cocktail cherry | optional | A classic garnish |
To make simple syrup, stir equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool it. It keeps covered in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Our simple syrup recipe walks through the method step by step.
How to make an old fashioned
- Build the base. Add the sugar cube to a rocks glass or mixing glass. Shake the bitters onto it and add 1 teaspoon of water.
- Muddle. Press and stir the sugar with a muddler or spoon until it is mostly dissolved. With simple syrup, just add the syrup and bitters.
- Add the whiskey. Pour in 2 ounces of bourbon or rye. On a cold night, the same bottle makes a whiskey hot toddy.
- Stir with ice. Fill a mixing glass with ice and stir for 20 to 30 seconds to chill and dilute the drink.
- Strain. Strain it into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
- Garnish. Twist the orange peel over the glass to release its oils, rub it on the rim, and drop it in. Add a cherry if you like.
Stirring, not shaking, keeps the old fashioned clear and silky. A short stir is plenty because the large cube keeps chilling it in the glass.
Bourbon vs rye in an old fashioned
| Bourbon old fashioned | Rye old fashioned | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Rounder, sweeter, vanilla and caramel notes | Drier and spicier |
| Best garnish | Orange peel and cherry | Orange or lemon peel |
| Sugar | ¼ ounce simple syrup | ¼ to ⅓ ounce simple syrup |
| Good for | First-time old fashioned drinkers | Fans of a bolder cocktail |
8 old fashioned twists for the holidays
| Twist | Swap or add | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Maple old fashioned | Maple syrup instead of sugar | Warm and cozy |
| Cranberry rosemary | Cranberry simple syrup, rosemary sprig | Tart and festive |
| Cinnamon spice | Cinnamon stick simmered in the syrup | Like a holiday candle in a glass |
| Brandy old fashioned | Brandy instead of whiskey, orange slice | Lighter and fruity |
| Rum old fashioned | Aged rum, a dash of orange bitters | Caramel and tropical |
| Smoked old fashioned | Smoke the glass with a wood chip or cinnamon stick | Campfire aroma |
| Chocolate old fashioned | Chocolate bitters, orange peel | Dessert-like |
| Honey ginger | Honey syrup with fresh ginger | Bright with a little heat |
For more holiday drinks, see our Christmas cocktails, our homemade eggnog, the margarita recipe and the espresso martini recipe. Bourbon fans should also try our paper plane recipe, an equal-parts sour with Aperol and amaro. More classics are in our cocktail recipes list, grouped by spirit.
Batch old fashioned for a party
A batched old fashioned lets you pour drinks fast at a holiday party. For 8 drinks, stir together 16 ounces of whiskey, 2 ounces of simple syrup, 16 dashes of bitters and 4 ounces of cold water in a pitcher or bottle. The water stands in for the dilution you would get from stirring with ice. For a second batched drink, try a classic martini.
- Chill the batch in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Pour 3 ounces over a large ice cube per glass.
- Set out orange peels and cherries so guests can garnish their own.
- Label the bottle so no one mistakes it for something else.
Plan the drinks with the rest of the menu. Our Christmas appetizers and holiday party planning checklist help you pull the night together, and the New Year's Eve party ideas cover the countdown.
Serving the old fashioned responsibly
An old fashioned is a strong drink. The CDC counts one standard drink as 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, so a 2-ounce pour is more than one drink. The CDC's guidance on moderate alcohol use is 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less for women, for adults who choose to drink.
- Serve only guests who are 21 or older.
- Offer plenty of food, water and alcohol-free options.
- Plan rides home before the party starts.
Zero-proof old fashioned: stir 2 ounces of strong brewed black tea (cooled) with ¼ ounce of maple syrup, a splash of orange juice and a pinch of cinnamon over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.
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Frequently asked questions
What is in a classic old fashioned recipe? A classic old fashioned recipe has whiskey, sugar, aromatic bitters and an orange peel. Use 2 ounces of bourbon or rye, 1 sugar cube or ¼ ounce of simple syrup and 2 to 3 dashes of bitters, stirred with ice.
Is an old fashioned made with bourbon or rye? An old fashioned can be made with either bourbon or rye whiskey. Bourbon gives a rounder, sweeter drink, while rye is drier and spicier. Both are traditional, so pick the whiskey you enjoy most.
Should an old fashioned be stirred or shaken? An old fashioned should be stirred, not shaken. Stirring for 20 to 30 seconds chills and dilutes the drink while keeping it clear and smooth. Shaking adds air bubbles and makes it cloudy.
Can I use simple syrup instead of a sugar cube? Yes, ¼ ounce of simple syrup replaces 1 sugar cube in an old fashioned. Syrup mixes in instantly, so you skip the muddling. Many home bartenders prefer it because the sweetness is more even.
What kind of glass do you use for an old fashioned? An old fashioned is served in a short, wide rocks glass, also called an old fashioned glass. It holds about 6 to 10 ounces, which fits the drink and one large ice cube.
Why use one big ice cube in an old fashioned? One big ice cube melts more slowly than small cubes. That keeps your old fashioned cold without watering it down too fast. Silicone molds for large cubes are easy to find and fill.
Should you muddle fruit in an old fashioned? A classic old fashioned does not need muddled fruit. Some regional versions muddle an orange slice and cherry with the sugar for a sweeter, fruitier drink. Try both and see which you like.
How strong is an old fashioned? An old fashioned is a strong cocktail because it is mostly whiskey. A 2-ounce pour of 80-proof whiskey is more than one standard drink by CDC measures, so sip slowly and serve it with food.
Can I make old fashioneds ahead for a party? Yes, you can batch old fashioneds a day ahead. For 8 drinks, mix 16 ounces of whiskey, 2 ounces of simple syrup, 16 dashes of bitters and 4 ounces of water, chill it, then pour 3 ounces over ice per glass.
What is a good holiday twist on an old fashioned? A maple or cranberry rosemary old fashioned is an easy holiday twist. Swap the sugar for maple syrup or cranberry simple syrup and garnish with orange peel or a rosemary sprig.
What food goes with an old fashioned? An old fashioned goes well with rich, salty or smoky food. Try it with a charcuterie board, cheese, candied nuts, sliders, steak or a dark chocolate dessert.
How do I make a non-alcoholic old fashioned? A non-alcoholic old fashioned uses cooled strong black tea in place of whiskey. Stir 2 ounces of tea with ¼ ounce of maple syrup, a splash of orange juice and a pinch of cinnamon, then garnish with orange peel.
How can I plan drinks for a holiday party? The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. helps you plan the menu, grocery list and party budget on printable pages. Use the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) to turn your drink and food plan into one shopping list.
Sources
- CDC: Standard drink sizes cdc.gov
- CDC: Moderate alcohol use cdc.gov