Oldfashioned

Old Fashioned is a whiskey-based cocktail that embodies the pre-prohibition era style. The traditional method involves muddling a sugar cube with a few dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of water in an old-fashioned glass, adding whiskey and ice, and stirring until chilled. It is typically garnished with an expressed orange peel, and sometimes a maraschino cherry.

Origins of the drink are disputed. It is commonly linked to the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 1880s, or to early bar traditions in New York. The name “old fashioned” refers to the method used to make the drink rather than a single fixed recipe, and the style has persisted as one of the core cocktails since the 19th century.

While the base is whiskey (usually bourbon or rye), the remaining ingredients have varied over time. Classic versions call for a sugar cube or a teaspoon of sugar, two to three dashes of Angostura bitters, a splash of water, and ice. Variations include substituting simple syrup for sugar, using different bitters (orange, chocolate, or walnut), and adapting the garnish. Many modern takes experiment with different spirits (such as mezcal, rum, or cognac) or with flavorings like orange peel oils, maple syrup, or smoked ice.

Served in an old-fashioned glass (a short tumbler) and typically over one large ice cube, the drink is commonly accompanied by a citrus or aromatic garnish and is presented as a straightforward, spirit-forward cocktail.