100 Best Old Fashioned Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best Old Fashioned in the world? ›

BEST OLD FASHIONED IN THE WORLD 2 oz Jack Daniel's Single Barrel 4 dashes Angostura Bitters 4 dashes Orange Bitters 1 tsp Rich Syrup - Demerara 2 drops Salt Water Orange Peel, Lemon Peel A touch of love Listen, this ain't a Wisconsin fruit salad in a glass, I didn't use rye whiskey, and a lemon peel slaps in an old ...

Use Rich Simple Syrup

The sugar cube is one Old Fashioned tradition that can definitely be skipped. While many recipes call for it, it offers no advantage over using a rich simple syrup and has several disadvantages. Most obviously, you have to find and buy sugar cubes and a muddler.

Maker's Mark

This gives the bourbon a softer, sweeter flavor profile that makes it both a pleasant sipper and a subtle yet satisfying base spirit in the right drink. “Maker's Mark is my go-to for a decadent dessert Old Fashioned.

A classic Old Fashioned co*cktail calls for rye whiskey or bourbon. We like to stick with reliable, mid-range bottles. Four Roses is a fantastic everyday choice, especially for the price. Bulleit is popular, too (we've got their 10-year rye right now).

That's because the Brandy Old Fashioned is the (un)official co*cktail of Wisconsin. Nationally, Old Fashioneds are typically made with rye or bourbon whiskey, but the true Wisconsin Old Fashioned is made with brandy -- Korbel by tradition.

The classic recipe, according to most mixologists, calls for Brown Demerara sugar cubes. Sugar cubes are previously measured, allowing for consistent whiskey to bitters ratios. The Angostura aromatic bitters have a rich scent of fruits and spices and are a necessary component of any classic Old Fashioned co*cktail.

Twist the citrus peel to release the oils and run it around the rim of the glass, then drop it into the co*cktail. ⇒ Tweak your technique. Failing to fully dissolve a sugar cube or granulated sugar will leave you with an unbalanced drink that turns crunchy at the end.

That is to say, a properly made Old Fashioned shouldn't taste sweet, nor should it taste bitter, nor should it taste overwhelmingly of straight whiskey. When you sip the drink and can't pick out any one of these qualities over the others, you've got a proper Old Fashioned.

Sweet and strong with touches of citrus, the Old Fashioned never really gets old, especially when it's made with Maker's Mark^®.

1. Old Forester 100 Proof. Old Forester is a well-known name in bourbon and whiskey, and this brand provides plenty of different options for sipping bourbon. Old Forester 100 proof has a robust flavor that is still somewhat sweet and smooth, making it a great choice for sipping neat or over ice.

Is Woodford Reserve a good bourbon for Old Fashioned? ›

A top-shelf choice, Woodford Reserve is often revered for its smooth and full-bodied character. With hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and a touch of spice, this bourbon adds a layer of sophistication to your Old Fashioned. It's an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more refined and complex co*cktail.

World-renowned mixologists from Sydney's Dean & Nancy on 22 and Melbourne's Sky Bar have created a rare Old Fashioned co*cktail using a list of luxury ingredients. The $15,000 take on the classic drink, which traditionally contains whiskey, bitters and water, has been dubbed the Woodford Reserve Gold Fashioned.

The widespread availability of the co*cktail has made it a deeply personal tradition for most Wisconsinites, often evoking deep-seated memories. “A brandy Old Fashioned was my first co*cktail with my dad,” says Hughes. “I definitely have had plenty of them, but every time you taste one, it brings you back.”

Due to the popularity of the co*cktail (when made with brandy) in the state of Wisconsin, the brandy old fashioned was named Wisconsin's state co*cktail in 2023.

The vermouth adds earthy, spiced notes, contributing additional depth of flavor to a Manhattan, whereas the Old Fashioned is less complex and, as such, might be a better option for letting the whiskey itself shine.