As far as classic cocktails go, there’s nothing quite like an Old Fashioned. It’s simple to make, has a distinctive, enjoyable personality, and can appeal to anyone from the hard-bitten bourbon drinker through to the burgeoning mixologist trying to impress some friends.

Best of all, a well-crafted old fashioned whiskey drink is like capturing sweet lightning in a rocks glass. If you can make it right, it’s a cocktail sure to delight.

The following article will outline the simplicity of an old fashioned recipe and the few parts used to make them, before outlining American whiskey – bourbon, wheated bourbon, and rye whiskey – for you to utilize in making this slice of cocktail greatness. Sure, you can use a Scotch or Irish Whiskey, but that’s being too cheeky!

Whether you want to maximize a cheap cocktail option or dazzle onlookers with a premium high rolling whiskey cocktail in a sparkling old fashioned glass, the options below can help you put together an old fashioned cocktail with style and distinction.

What is an old fashioned cocktail and how do you make one?

Whiskey Old Fashioned Recipe

• 1 1/2 oz Kentucky bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 sugar cube or teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters or aromatic bitters
• A few dashes of spring water
• Cocktail cherry, lemon twist or orange peel to garnish

The whiskey old fashioned is an old school classic cocktail recipe. An old fashioned is a stirred drink, not shaken, and because of its simplicity it’s usually created in the glass before serving. There’s no need for a cocktail mixer jug or mixing glass and fancy bar shenanigans to make a quality version of this drink.

The traditional old fashioned recipe likes to muddle up the sugar cube or a spoonful of brown sugar with water and a couple dashes of angostura bitters, but simple syrup or orange bitters works fine to sweeten the mix.