Who wants a drink? Let’s relax with an Old Fashioned, one of the oldest cocktails around. The Old Fashioned is for whiskey lovers, certainly, but it also might convince naysayers to become whiskey cocktail drinkers after all.

The Old Fashioned is a bold, dynamic drink that’s a little citrusy and a little sweet. It’s the perfect drink during the holidays, on chilly evenings, and basically any time you find yourself sitting around a fire. 

I came up with one delicious twist on this classic cocktail recipe, which also happens to be a shortcut. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, I bet you can guess what it is.

That’s right, I used maple syrup instead of simple syrup. That’s my secret to making a great Old Fashioned. Traditionally, Old Fashioned cocktails are made with a sugar cube or simple syrup. I’m here to tell you that they taste better with maple syrup, which subtly complements bourbon’s caramel notes and stirs in like a dream.

Back when the Old Fashioned gained popularity, maple syrup was not readily accessible. Luckily, it is now. This recipe yields the best Old Fashioned you’ll ever make at home. I hope you’ll give it a try!

Old Fashioned Cocktail Ingredients

The Old Fashioned is made with three simple ingredients—whiskey, sweetener and bitters—plus ice and your garnish of choice. Here are the details. 

Bourbon

Bourbon whiskey is the principal ingredient in your Old Fashioned, so choose a good one. Low-quality bourbons are just too harsh here.

One of the best bourbons for Old Fashioned cocktails is Four Roses. It’s 80-proof, so it’s not overpoweringly strong. It’s also affordable and blends beautifully into cocktails, offering notes of cinnamon spice and vanilla.

Note: Rye whiskey also works in Old Fashioned cocktails, but I prefer bourbon’s sweeter flavor to rye’s astringency. You do you.

Maple Syrup

Like I said, most Old Fashioned recipes call for a sugar cube or a spoonful of simple syrup. Sugar is gritty; simple syrup is an extra step; they’re both just sweet.

Real maple syrup is easy to mix into the drink and tastes wonderful. We won’t use much of it, so the flavor is subtle.  

Angostura Bitters

Bitters are made with a blend of botanicals, and just a couple of drops lend a ton of flavor and complexity to the drink. You cannot go wrong with classic Angostura bitters.

Oftentimes, bartenders will add another dash of bitters from a different brand, so you can come up with your own combination if you’d like.

Ice

Ice cools the drink and dilutes it a bit, which mellows the sharp bite of alcohol. I prefer to use extra-large ice cubes that I freeze in this ice cube tray (affiliate link). Large ice cubes are ideal because they melt more slowly, and you’ll only need one per drink.

Tip: Old Fashioned cocktails should be stirred, not shaken, because shaking waters down the drink too much. Stir for about 20 seconds in a circular motion, until it’s very cold. 

Orange Peel

No classic Old Fashioned is complete without a twist of citrus. I prefer orange to lemon, but either one works. Or, use both orange and lemon peel for a combination known as “rabbit ears.”

Optional: Cocktail Cherry

A cocktail cherry is optional. Splurge on a jar of Luxardo cherries for an excuse to make more whiskey drinks. Try a Manhattan next!

Watch How to Make an Old Fashioned

More Bourbon & Whiskey Drinks to Sip

Like this Old Fashioned, all of these cocktails are naturally sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup or honey.

• Cinnamon Whiskey Sour
• Classic Hot Toddy
• Irish Coffee
• Manhattan Cocktail
• New York Sour

Please let me know how your cocktails turn out in the comments. I love hearing from you.

Print