BevX Cocktails

Classic Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail in every sense. It has a rich history and incredible staying power being perhaps more popular today than ever before. The Old Fashioned is believed to have been invented at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1880s. The drink is said to have been created by a collaborative effort between the club?s bartender and Colonel James E. Pepper (unrelated to Sgt. Pepper). There is evidence to suggest that the Old Fashioned may precede 1880 dating back to the early part of the 19th century. We like the Colonel Pepper story and therefore choose Bourbon over Rye in our Old Fashioned. (Besides, you can easily annoy a twenty-something bartender by ordering your Old Fashioned with Bourbon.) Although the original recipe likely omitted the muddled fruit, we like to muddle the fruit.

Today you will find the Old Fashioned being made with every type of Whiskey, as well as Rum and Brandy.

Ingredients

2 oz. Quality Bourbon or Rye
1 Sugar Cube
3 Dashes Bitters
1 Orange Slice (plus one for garnish)
1 Cherry (I love the Luxardo cherries)
Splash of Club Soda

Occasion

This classic is a proof that a great Whiskey cocktail is welcomed all year long.

Method

In an Old Fashioned glass, saturate the sugar cube with the bitters. Add the orange slice and muddle well and then add ice. Top with Bourbon and a splash of soda. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Variations

The Old Fashioned has been around long enough to have inspired some quality variations including great Rum based versions, as well as Wisconsin's State drink — the Brandy Old Fashioned. There is much debate about the inclusion of muddled fruit and then the inclusion of muddled fruit in the finished drink as opposed to straining it away. While I like a tidy drink I don't mind fruit debris in my Old Fashioned.

Source: Classic