Bourbon is our Spirit of the Month’ at Cruisen Cocktails, so we couldn’t pass the opportunity to share a recipe for one of the most popular bourbon cocktails. The Old Fashioned has been around for a long time, for a very good reason. This no nonsense drink has a subtle sweetness which makes it a lot smoother than many other whisky mixes. Plus it gives the drinker an aura of being uber suave and sophisticated, hello Don Draper in Mad Men.

Some even argue that the Old Fashioned is THE original cocktail , with references in the age old novel Huckleburry Finn to drinking a mix of whisky, bitters and sugar. So without further ado, here are two versions of this classic cocktail.

The Old Fashioned Cocktail – An Old Fashioned Way

Firstly you must start with an Old Fashioned or Whisky glass, which has a heavy bottom and rim wide enough that you can fit your nose inside to appreciated all those amazing aromas.

Add one sugar cube and add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and allow the bitters to soak into the sugar cube. Add a tiny amount of water to help the sugar cube dissolve, then use a muddler or back of a spoon to make a syrup. Add 60ml of Whisky (straight bourbon or rye, leave the scotch out for this one) aaaaaaand STOP! Smell those tantalising aromas and as you sip and enjoy you will be left with some soaked sugar grit at the bottom of the glass, a textural drinking experience to blow your mind. This is an Old Fashioned in the purest, old fashioned way.

The Old Fashioned Cocktail – The New Way

We are no longer in the Huckleberry Finn days, and have access to such luxuries as ice, citrus and soda so here is the new Old Fashioned! Start with the same type of glass and instead of using a sugar cube, add 15ml of sugar syrup. Use a vegetable peeler to peel a slice of either Orange or Lemon peel and run this around the rim of the glass to add those amazing aromatic oils which will last your whole drink long. Place the zest in the glass and add 3-4 dashes of bitters and muddle gently to further release the citrus oils. Add 60ml of Whisky and add ice, preferably the large ‘rocks style cubes which slow the dilution rate. Stir and top with a little soda if you please.

Forget yoga, this drink is ultimate way to relax and unwind, we hope you enjoy.

Source: Mad Made DIY