The Old Fashioned is widely considered to be the cocktail that started it all. It earned its name from drinkers of the 1800s who, in true hipster spirit, preferred the early stuff.
You see, the definition of the word cocktail, when traced back to its origins in 1806, was: "spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters". At this point in time, cocktails went by names like "whisky cocktail" and "gin cocktail" and so on.
Decades later, bartenders started adding other ingredients; interestingly, the addition of vermouth would give birth to the Manhattan and Martini. However, many people simply wanted their tried and tested drinks and started asking for an "old fashioned" cocktail. Due to the whisky cocktail's popularity at the time, the "old fashioned whiskey cocktail" simply became known as the Old Fashioned.
What you need
Whilst the Old Fashioned cocktail is traditionally made with Bourbon, Drinks Distilled Spirits Guide Felipe Schrieberg recommends trying Benromach Organic Single Malt Scotch for a twist on this classic drink.
- Traditional Old Fashioned: Four Roses Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
- Single Malt Old Fashioned: Benromach Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Sugar syrup or granulated sugar
- Angostura bitters
- Soda water (optional)
- Orange slice
- Maraschino cherry (optional)
- Rocks glass
- Bar spoon
Method
- Add 2 teaspoons of sugar syrup or 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar, 1-2 dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of water in a Rocks glass.
- Fill your glass with ice and stir in 60ml of whisky.
- Add a splash of soda water if you like and mix.
- Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.