Ah, the Old Fashioned – what a quintessentially vintage cocktail! This liquid taste of yesteryear only needs a few ingredients, but when mixed just right, it transports you through time.
An Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time, known for its simple yet sophisticated blend of ingredients. Here’s what you need to create this timeless drink:
- Whiskey: The base spirit of an Old Fashioned is typically bourbon or rye whiskey. First, a sturdy base of bourbon or rye whiskey gives it backbone. The sugar softens out the edges, either a cube muddled or shaken granules. Then comes the Angostura bitters with that signature spice, rounding everything out.
- Sugar: A small amount of sugar is used to balance the strength of the whiskey. This can be in the form of a sugar cube or granulated white sugar. A touch of water helps dissolve the sugar, and simple orange peels and a cherry make the ideal garnish. Their aromas and hints of sweetness balance the drink perfectly.
- Bitters: Angostura bitters are the traditional choice, adding complexity and depth to the cocktail. While some modern twists include extra fruits, the classic Old Fashioned keeps to this uncomplicated formula. And when prepared well, the tastes intermingle into sophistication in a glass! Sip this aged wonder, and let the flavors blossom on your tongue.
- Water: A teaspoon of water is used to help dissolve the sugar.
- Garnish: An orange peel and sometimes a cocktail cherry are used to garnish the drink, adding a citrus aroma and a touch of sweetness.
Whether you’re an aspiring mixologist or prefer to leave the crafting to bartenders, don’t miss out on this vintage delight. Immerse yourself in the charm of cocktail history with each smooth Old Fashioned.
Exploring the Rich History of the Old Fashioned Cocktail
Well ain’t this a trip back in time! The history of the Old Fashioned cocktail stretches way back to the early 1800s – before we even knew what a “cocktail” was.
See, newspapers way back then first defined a cocktail as liquor blended with sugar, bitters and water. Sound familiar? That there is basically an Old Fashioned recipe. Folks figured out that combo naturally over years of mixing.
The name itself showed up in the 1870s, referring to the “old fashioned” way of making drinks compared to newfangled inventions. It evolved from the Whiskey Cocktail, adding in muddled fruits later during Prohibition when ingredients got creative.
Now, where exactly this vintage beverage was born is still a controversy. Some sources say it originated at a fancy private club in Kentucky. Others point to the first published Old Fashioned recipe in a Chicago newspaper. Most likely, great minds of the bartending world just happened upon the same classic mixture through trial and error.
However it came to be, the Old Fashioned stuck around. Today it’s considered a fundamental drink for any bartender to master, yet it’s still evolving with creative new twists. But you can’t beat the original – whiskey, sugar, bitters and water danced just right. Take a sip and taste over 200 years of cocktail history!
Hope you enjoyed stepping back in time with the history of the Old Fashioned! If you love classic cocktails with a vintage vibe, be sure to visit our Food & Drink category. There you’ll find more recipes and fascinating stories behind your favorite drinks.
Seeing how timeless beverages like the Old Fashioned developed is pretty neat. Let us mix you up some more liquid tales! Just click on Food & Drink whenever you need inspiration for easy cocktail ideas with a splash of education. We’d love to have you back – our virtual bar is always open!
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
