Old-Fashioned

The OLD FASHIONED is still a favorite 200 years after being introduced. It’s one of the simplest to make, but might have been the first step into the world of mixed drinks.  It props up your favorite whiskey-rocks drink with bitters, some sugar and an orange peel.  I prefer a sweeter whiskey like bourbon; but many prefer the drier rye.  Whatever your favorite whiskey, it’s fair game. As the northern hemisphere gets colder and the days darken earlier, an Old-Fashioned seems to call out.

Requirements: Bourbon (or rye), simple syrup or sugar, orange or Angostura bitters, orange peel, club soda (optional)

• 3 oz. (2 jiggers) bourbon or rye
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (or simple syrup)
• 3-4 dashes of orange bitters (or 2 dashes Angostura bitters)
• 1 tablespoon club soda or water (optional)
• 2 orange peels

Add sugar or simple syrup, bitters, orange peel and club soda (or water) into a rocks glass, muddle and stir until dissolved. Fill the glass with large ice cubes, add the bourbon or rye whiskey and stir. Squeeze the oil of the second orange peel over the glass and drop in. A maraschino cherry may be added as well.

Comments: My ruling on whether to use club soda or water is this: If the ice cubes are large, I add a tablespoon of club soda or water; if the ice cubes are normal-to-small, I let the ice cubes to the job. It also depends on your preference for tasting the whiskey neat or whether you want to stay closer to a softened whiskey-rocks.