• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Our Salty Kitchen
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Season
    • Fall Recipes
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Winter Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Keto
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • Course
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments and Sauces
    • Desserts
    • Cocktails
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
  • Method
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Stir Fry
  • About
    • Let’s Collaborate!
    • Recipe Photography for Food Bloggers
    • Photography Portfolio
    • License Images
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Salads
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Cocktails » Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail

    5 from 1 vote
    December 2, 2016 (updated December 30, 2021) by Danielle Esposti

    May contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A classic old fashioned bourbon cocktail in a cocktail glass with a giant ice cube and orange peel garnish.

    This Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail is a classic. Made with muddled orange and cherry, sugar cubes, and a dash of bitters, the flavor profile is definitely “bourbon” but with the perfect touch of sweetness and balanced acidity.

    Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon
    Jump to:
    • Recipe

    It’s been nearly a month since we shared a #survivalcocktail and should our absence lead you to believe that we’ve been neglecting Friday happy hour, let me absolve you of that assumption right quick. In reality, it’s because we’ve been busy, well, surviving. But we’re back, and we’re back sooooo good with this recipe for a Classic Old Fashioned.

    This week we’re spending some time with our good friend bourbon. Ahh, bourbon. It’s good winter drinkin’. Most recipes for an Old Fashioned call for whiskey, but as I said, we’re using bourbon as the base here. Besides, bourbon is whiskey, although not all whiskey is bourbon. Clear as mud, right? I can’t do any better differentiating between the two, so you might as well google it. #sorrynotsorry #thisbrainismadeforcooking

    Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon

    This is one of the first cocktails I was taught to make as a bartender. I’ll be honest – I didn’t really care for it at first. But over time I grew to appreciate the qualities of a good bourbon-based mixed drink and this classic cocktail is one that I frequently reach for in these chilly months. The flavor profile distinctly screams “bourbon”, but there’s enough sugar and balanced acidity to make it appetizing to my delicate sensibilities. Opinions vary on proper methodology – oh, I’m sorry – mixology. Ahem. For me, crafting an Old Fashioned is like teaching your husband how to do housework – it’s done subtlety and gradually, with a little bit of sugar. I’m gonna say it right now – I muddle the fruit. Horror of horrors for purists, but it works for me, and when it comes to imbibing spirits, ya gotta do you.

    Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail with Bourbon

    Speaking of spirits, let’s talk a little bit about the quality of such. Remember when we discussed the Bourbon Honey Cocktail, and I said that Jim Beam was just fine? Not gonna fly here my friends. Put on your big girl panties and splurge on the semi-good stuff. We like Elijah Craig. If you enjoy sipping it straight, you’ll love it just as much in an Old Fashioned.

    An old fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass poured over a giant ice cube with an orange peel garnish.

    Did you make this Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Classic old fashioned cocktail in a rocks glass with an orange peel garnish.

    Classic Old Fashioned #survivalcocktail

    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    This cocktail is a classic. Made with muddled orange and cherry, sugar cubes, and a dash of bitters, the flavor profile is definitely “bourbon” but with the perfect touch of sweetness and balanced acidity.
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 10 minutes mins
    Servings : 1 cocktail
    Calories: 217

    Recommended Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Muddler

    Ingredients

    • 1-2 sugar cubes, depending on your preference for sweet (I use 2)
    • 1 maraschino cherry
    • ½ orange wedge
    • 2 dashes angostura bitters
    • 2 ½ oz. good quality bourbon or whiskey
    • 1-2 oz. soda water
    • orange peel

    Instructions

    • In a cocktail shaker, add the sugar cube, maraschino cherry, orange wedge, and bitters. Mash with a muddler until the sugar dissolves, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
    • Add the bourbon and a few small ice cubes and stir for 30 seconds. Place the lid on the cocktail shaker and strain into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass with one large ice cube.
    • Top with 1-2 oz of soda water and garnish with an orange peel.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 0g, Calories: 217kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 0g, Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 0mg, Potassium: 0mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g, Vitamin A: 0%, Vitamin C: 0%, Calcium: 0%, Iron: 0%
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
    « Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
    New Year, New Challenge »

    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    5 Comments
    Filed Under: Cocktails, Winter Recipes Tagged With: bourbon, cocktail, survival cocktail, winter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nathalie Zenni

      July 19, 2021 at 8:23 pm

      Hi, where did you get the cocktail shaker in the photo? 🙂

      Reply
    2. Nancy

      February 25, 2023 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      Love this cocktail! I did not have sugar cubes so used raw sugar and it was perfect. Very tasty and hits the spot on a cold rainy evening!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Apple Cider Sangria (Perfect Thanksgiving Sangria) | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      September 24, 2019 at 12:58 pm

      […] Classic Old Fashioned […]

      Reply
    2. The Staghattan (Sweet Black Cherry Manhattan) | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      December 18, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      […] Classic Old Fashioned […]

      Reply
    3. Apple Cider Hot Toddy Cocktail - Our Salty Kitchen says:
      January 28, 2020 at 8:40 pm

      […] with runny noses and snotty fingers and rosy cheeks and all of the germs. And that’s when I pivot towards bourbon. Because alcohol kills germs (no, not for them – for […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Our Salty Kitchen! We create real food for real people. Our whole foods recipes are seasonal, locally sourced, and simply prepared. Learn More! 

    Footer

    ABOUT US      CONTACT US      PRIVACY POLICY 

    A collage of publication logos that have featured recipes and photography from Our Salty Kitchen.

    Footer

    Privacy

    Privacy Policy

    Let's ConnecT

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About Us

    Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Our Salty Kitchen

    633 shares