The cocktail that started it all. Before fancy names, complicated techniques, and garnishes that cost more than the drink — there was simply a good drink. Bourbon, a sugar cube, a few dashes of bitters, and an orange peel expressed over the glass. That’s it. And it’s perfect.
Ingredients
Glass
Lowball
The Story
The word "cocktail" first appeared in an American newspaper in 1806, and what it described was essentially what we know today as an Old Fashioned — spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. For decades, it was simply "the cocktail." No name was needed.
But as the world of drinks evolved and bartenders started adding liqueurs, juices, and more ingredients, those who wanted the original drink — simple, strong, authentic — began asking for it "the old-fashioned way." That’s how the name Old Fashioned was born. Not through innovation, but through loyalty to the source. And that’s exactly what makes it timeless.
How We Make It
Bitters & Sugar
Place a sugar cube at the bottom of a lowball glass, add 2–3 dashes of Angostura bitters, and gently muddle until the sugar dissolves.
Bourbon
Pour 60ml of quality bourbon and gently stir to combine all the ingredients.
Ice
Add one large ice cube — it melts slowly and keeps the drink cold without diluting it.
Garnish
Express an orange peel over the glass to release the essential oils, rub it along the rim, and place it inside.
Variations
The Classic
The original bourbon version — pure, simple, and uncompromising. The combination that has stood the test of time for over two hundred years.
Brandy Old Fashioned
Wisconsin style — with brandy instead of bourbon, a splash of soda, and a cherry-orange garnish. Round, warm, and indulgent.
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
A Mexican twist — smoky mezcal instead of bourbon, with agave bitters and grapefruit peel. Modern, bold, and smoky.
Bartender Tips
Ice Changes Everything
Always use one large ice cube. It melts slower, maintains the temperature, and doesn’t dilute the drink.
Don’t Rush the Peel
Expressing the orange peel above the drink — not into it — releases the oils gently and adds aroma without bitterness.
Good Bourbon = Good Drink
In an Old Fashioned, the whiskey is the star. Don’t cut corners on quality — choose a bourbon with character that you’d enjoy sipping neat.