Classic Old Fashioned

Once you master the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, feel free to start tweaking it to your liking: Add a splash of lemon-lime soda, muddle in orange slices and cherries, or swap out the bourbon for brandy for some fun variations on the standard old fashioned.

What Is An Old Fashioned?

Early mixology books dating back to the mid-1800s, such as Haney's Steward and Bar-Keeper's Manual, all feature a whiskey cocktail made of the following ingredients: "Three or four dashes of gum syrup; two dashes of bitters; one wine glass of whisky; one small lump of ice; one piece of lemon peel. Stir with a spoon."

Fast forward to today, and these four ingredients are the only ones you'll need to make one of the oldest cocktails from scratch: an old fashioned.

Whether you choose to use bourbon (for a mellow cocktail) or rye (for a spicier one), the added fruit, sweet, and bitters work to enhance the flavor and texture of your whiskey of choice.

What's an Old Fashioned Made Of?

An old fashioned is one of the easiest cocktails to make with ingredients already on your bar cart. All you'll need to make this classic whiskey cocktail is:

• bourbon
• bitters
• sugar
• a citrus peel for garnish

All out of simple syrup? You can easily swap it out for a single sugar cube. Just muddle the cube with bitters before adding in the whiskey. Fill the lowball glass with ice, and gently stir to combine.

What's the Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned?

Nothing screams Southern quite like an old fashioned cocktail. Made with bourbon, this whiskey drink is one of the South's quintessential cocktails enjoyed at a snazzy craft cocktail bar or during a quiet night on the porch.

Golden-brown, sweet, and sometimes smoky, this Kentucky-born spirit comes to life in an old fashioned. But don't pick the most expensive bourbon in your collection—that's best savored neat or on the rocks. Instead, choose a budget-friendly option that can provide a solid foundation to your cocktail like Jim Beam or Bulleit Bourbon.

How To Make an Old Fashioned Cocktail

Step 1. Fill a rocks glass with ice

Add in the simple sugar and bitters. If using a sugar cube, add the cube and bitters to the bottom of the glass. Muddle the two until well mixed.

Step 2. Stir to combine

Add in the bourbon. Stir.

Step 3. Garnish and serve

Rim your glass with the citrus peel before dropping it in as a garnish.

Variations on the Old Fashioned

A popular variation for the Old Fashioned cocktail involves swapping out the bourbon for some rye whiskey instead. It was, in fact, the original choice of liquor used to make the original old fashioned cocktail until bourbon took over in the later half of the 20th century. Using a rye-based whiskey, such as Elijah Craig's Straight Rye or Wild Turkey Rye, can offer a spicier kick to your cocktails.

The addition of lemon-lime soda and a homemade citrus syrup transforms the classic old fashioned into an ideal thirst-quenching summertime cocktail.

Use brandy instead of bourbon and a splash of lemon-lime soda, and you'll end up with a Wisconsin old fashioned—it's considered by many to be the state's official cocktail. 

While Angostura bitters are traditional, you can switch things up and use orange bitters or unique flavored versions, such as rhubarb and plum.

How To Garnish an Old Fashioned

While a citrus peel is the traditional garnish for a classic old fashioned drink, you can also use maraschino cherries and orange slices as a garnish before serving your cocktails.