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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Published: Apr 14, 2023 · Modified: Oct 16, 2023 by Stephanie @ Pretty.Simple.Sweet. · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    True to its name, this recipe for a classic Old Fashioned cocktail never goes out style. If we have whiskey or bourbon in our liquor cabinet, my husband will definitely ask for an Old Fashioned when 5 o’clock rolls around. This easy drink is a delicious start (or end) to your weekend.

    Old fashioned whiskey cocktail in a lowball rocks glass

    What do I need to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail

    • Rocks glass or lowball glass
    • Whiskey or Bourbon Whiskey
    • Simple Syrup
    • Water
    • Bitters
    • Orange Peel
    • Premium Cocktail Cherries
    • Ice
    Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail

    How to make your own simple syrup

    Basic simple syrup is equal parts water to equal parts sugar (½ cup of each). My go-to simple syrup is a little less sweet. My go-to is ¼ cup granulated or turbinado sugar and ¾ cup water, 1 part sugar to 3 parts water. I find it’s easier to mix in most drinks because it isn’t as “syrup-y” in consistency. This is also an easy way to make your cocktail with less calories. Combine in a sauce pan and heat on the stovetop until boiling and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week with best results. Using turbinado sugar gives an extra layer of flavor, so I prefer this method. Both sugars will give you great results.

    Easy way to make an Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Combine simple syrup, syrup from the cherry jar, water, and bitters to a rocks glass and stir. Add ice, stir again. We use a chopstick to stir our drinks because it’s usually always on hand in our silverware drawer.

    Add the whiskey or bourbon and stir again for about 10-15 seconds. Slide the orange peel into the glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry or two. I use a vegetable peeler to quickly get a good, thin orange peel, but you can use a knife as well.

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    As always, you drink to enjoy yourself a little. If your cocktail is not to your liking, try these ideas: For a more sour cocktail, double the cherry syrup. For a sweeter cocktail, increase the simple syrup. For a stronger cocktail, use less water or omit the water altogether. Cheers!

    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I endorse products that I love and use daily.

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    Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Timeless, whiskey cocktail with sour cherry syrup for added flavor. Thank me later!

    Course Drinks
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    YIELD 1 drink

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz (60ml) Whiskey or Bourbon Whiskey
    • 1 oz (2 Tbsp) Simple Syrup (See notes below)
    • ½ teaspoon Cocktail cherry syrup
    • .5 oz (1 Tbsp) Water
    • 3 dashes Bitters
    • Orange Peel (garnish)
    • Premium Cocktail Cherry (garnish)

    Instructions

    1. Combine simple syrup, syrup from the cherry jar, water, and bitters to a rocks glass and stir. Add ice, stir again. 

    2. Add the whiskey or bourbon and stir again for about 10-15 seconds. Slide the orange peel into the glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry or two. I use a vegetable peeler to quickly get a good, thin orange peel, but you can use a knife as well.

    Recipe Notes

    For a sweeter cocktail, add more simple syrup. 

    For a stronger cocktail, add less (or no) water.

    For a more pronounced cherry flavor, add a full teaspoon of cherry syrup from the jar.

    How to make your own simple syrup

    Basic simple syrup is 1 part sugar to 1 part water. For a less-sweet, less syrup-y version, my go-to is ¼ cup granulated or turbinado sugar and ¾ cup water (1 part sugar to 3 parts water). Combine in a sauce pan and heat on the stovetop until boiling and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week with best results. Using turbinado sugar gives an extra layer of flavor, so I prefer this method. Both sugars will give you great results.

     

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Santos says

      December 26, 2023 at 3:21 pm

      Excellent, my new favorite cocktail! Thanks

      Reply
      • Stephanie @ Pretty.Simple.Sweet. says

        December 26, 2023 at 5:39 pm

        Thank you! So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Stephanie! Join me in my kitchen, where we’ll be making simple and classic desserts and learning the science of baking along the way.

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