For a drink that’s essentially sugar and booze, the Old Fashioned has accumulated quite the social cache in the last decade. Sixties-based TV drama Mad Men is to thank – before the show aired in 2007 Don Draper’s favourite cocktail had practically disappeared. A little over 10 years later, the Old Fashioned can arguably be described as the most successful cocktail of the past decade. Wannabe advertising executives aside, it’s a drink that drips in sophistication.

What’s more, it’s one of the world’s original cocktails. “It’s thought that the first references to the word ‘cocktail’ were in relation to the Old Fashioned,” says Kieron Hall, ambassador for The Lakes Distillery. The first written recipes similar to the Old Fashioned we know today appeared as early as 1806, he says, describing “a potent concoction of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar”, and was made with whatever spirit was most readily available.

Today this drink of champions is made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding bourbon or rye and finally a twist of citrus rind. As the recipe is simply any combination of five elements – spirit, bitters, water, sugar and the addition of citrus – the possibilities of how it can be made are vast. You’ll find some bars even serving it with rum or tequila. But, as Hall notes, “It does tend to pair best with dark/aged spirits.”

Bucking tradition, Hall takes his with blended whisky. “It depends on my mood, but I love an Old Fashioned with a blended whisky. They usually have the best of all worlds, with elements of smoke, sweetness and woody characteristics, which gives you a great base to start from.”

For Pasquale Ferrillo, head bartender at Manetta’s Bar within Flemings Mayfair hotel, mixing rye and bourbon is the way to go. “My personal favorite for a good Old Fashioned is to mix Woodford Bourbon with Sazerac Rye whisky.”