November is Old Fashioned Month in the US – a time to celebrate one of the world’s original cocktails.
Dating back to the late 1800s, the Old Fashioned is described as one of the greatest cocktails of all time and remains a classic to this day, thanks to its elegant simplicity and perfectly merged flavours.
The Old Fashioned was originally just called a Whiskey Cocktail.
As newer, more complex cocktails emerged, aficionados took to calling the drink an ‘Old Fashioned’ to ensure they got the original blend.
A simple yet sophisticated drink comprising Bourbon or American Rye whiskey, simple syrup and Angostura Bitters over an ice cube, the Old Fashioned gets a twist of orange zest for fresh citrus oils that tie the flavours together and elevate the cocktail.
Try an Old Fashioned at your local cocktail bar, or make your own at home:
- Muddle a large twist of orange zest with a dash of Angostura Bitters and 15ml of simple syrup, Maple syrup or 1 sugar cube, making sure the zest is crushed enough to release its oils.
- Add 40ml of Bourbon or American Rye and ice, stir well and strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a fresh twist of zest or a Maraschino cherry. Cheers!
