Old Fashioned

Welcome back, or if it’s your first time here, take a seat, and I’ll fix you a drink.

Today, we are going to look at an Old Fashioned. This is my go-to drink.

I’m going to share two ways to make this drink side by side.

There is a classic ‘Bentons old fashioned from the bar PleaseDontTell in NY.

I’ve been there and had this drink, and yes, it’s amazing!

Then I’m going to give you my recipe for a much simpler old fashioned, for ‘the end of a long day.’

Let’s start with some ingredients:

• 2oz Whiskey (Bourbon, Rye, Bacon, or butter or infused). See Tips&Tricks for my guide on fat washing.
• Bitters (Aromatic is the default; Cherry or Orange also both work well)
• An Orange for decoration/garnish
• Sugar syrup, Maple syrup, A brown sugar cube, Simple syrup, Rich simple syrup, Turbinado or brown sugar syrup.
• A Cherry - Luxardo, Amarena, or just a Maraschino

What Glass should I use,…

• Rocks
• Old Fashioned

What hardware do I need?

• Bar spoon
• Mixing Glass
• Peeler

Let’s talk about the mixing glass.

You should probably just buy one. A cheap one. Make sure the Glass isn’t too thin.

It’s invaluable for many cocktails, no different to a cocktail shaker.

Yet. If you don’t have one, I’d recommend a large glass measuring jug. Or a larger glass. If you are feeling super ‘I don’t want to’ and if you are just making the drink for yourself, then technically, you can just make the drink in the Glass you are drinking it in.

Directions - Let’s do this; let’s make a drink!

Let’s start with my simple recipe.

You’ll do best with one big ice cube.

And another one for making it.

2oz bourbon

1/4 oz sugar syrup

2 dashes of bitters

Throw this in a mixing glass, a glass jug, or a pint glass.

If you are super lazy and it was a super long day, make it in the Glass you are drinking it in.

Add a big ice cube. Else, a few big pieces of ice. Use the bar spoon to spin it all around gently, mix the ingredients, and chill the drink.

Strain that into a fresh glass over a fresh ice cube.

Decorate with a cherry and a twisted bit of orange peel if it twists your fancy.

Let me talk to you about Benton’s Old Fashioned.

2 oz Bacon-infused bourbon?

1/4 oz Grade B maple syrup

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

Twist of orange

I Shared my recipe for Baco infusing a few weeks ago here - Also, If you are vegetarian, my recipe has some good alternatives for you there.

Follow the same steps as my basic; this is genuinely one of the best old-fashioned varieties I’ve had in my life, and I strongly recommend it.

Enjoy

Tips

Do not run the orange around the rim for aroma. It’s nonsense and doesn’t improve the drink.

Sometimes, when dropping the cherry in the Glass, if they are good cherries, I often carry a little extra of the syrup from the jar with me on the spoon and mix it in; it’s a subtle extra note.

For the sugar syrup, You can use a Sugar cube, top the bitters onto it, and bash it with the flat side of the bar spoon or a muddler, then add the whiskey, then the ice, then mix.

Experiment with bitters; find a blend and a brand that is right for you.