Cocktails 101 — Old Fashioned (Bourbon based)

Inspired by Netflix’s Drink Master show, i’m starting a new series of articles where I research the history of well known cocktails and experiment with different ingredients with the hope of making these traditional recipes my own. You’ll also find my favourite recipe for each cocktail at the bottom of the article just incase you’d like to give it a try 😉.

The first in the series has to be my favourite cocktail, the old fashioned.

The Old Fashioned is a well-known cocktail that has been around for more than two centuries. It is a straightforward, yet rich mixed drink that is made with bourbon, sugar, bitters, and water. The Old Fashioned is regarded as one of the world’s oldest cocktails, and its enduring popularity can be traced back hundreds of years.

Since the early 1800s, the Old Fashioned cocktail has had a long and interesting history. The “whiskey cocktail” is believed to have originated in Louisville, Kentucky. Typically served in a small glass, this cocktail was made with whiskey, sugar, water, and bitters.

The Old Fashioned cocktail, which we are all familiar with, evolved from the whiskey cocktail over time. Midway through the 1800s, bartenders started adding fruit to the cocktail, like orange slices and cherries. This gave the drink a new flavour dimension.

The Old Fashioned cocktail was a staple of American cocktail culture by the beginning of the 1900s. It was a popular drink among politicians, businessmen, and celebrities and was often served at gentlemen’s clubs.

The Old Fashioned cocktail saw a decline in popularity during Prohibition. A lot of speakeasies and bars had to close, and making whiskey was against the law. The Old Fashioned, on the other hand, continued to be a popular drink among those who had access to whiskey.

After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the Old Fashioned cocktail experienced a resurgence in popularity. Bartenders began experimenting with new variations of the classic recipe, adding different types of whiskey, bitters, and even soda water.

The Old Fashioned cocktail is still a well-known classic that is enjoyed by cocktail enthusiasts worldwide. It’s a simple cocktail that’s easy to make, but it can be made any way you want to suit your own preferences.

Recipe

• 1 teaspoon of granulated brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of water
• 65 ml / 2oz of good bourbon (my favourite for this cocktail is Woodford reserve
• 4 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 2 Orange peels
• Cherry

Method

1. Put the water, sugar, bourbon and bitters together in a mixing glass. Mix everything until the sugar has been incorporated.
2. Take one of the orange peels and rub it around the glass. This will help ensure a lovely subtle orange aroma.
3. Strain the bourbon and sugar mix and pour over on a large ice cube. Note, if you don’t have large ice cubes you’ll have to drink the cocktail quicker as the ice will melt much quicker.
4. Add a couple cherries and give the drink a nice stir before enjoying with your favourite jazz record.