A classic cocktail, this Old Fashioned Recipe is simple and so tasty. Made with whiskey, bitters, sugar, orange and ice.

Dating back to 1806, the Old Fashioned has been a favourite cocktail for many over the years. This classic drink is made with whiskey, bitters, sugar, orange and ice. Time to make a drink and cozy on up next to the fire this winter!

Simple and flavourful.

There are few cocktails that are more simple to make than an Old Fashioned. Chances are if you like cocktails, you probably already have the ingredients on hand! I’m also sharing a few tips below for ideas for quick substitutions to make it even easier for you.

Perfect for cozy nights.

When I think about an Old Fashioned I always picture myself sipping one by the fire on a cold winters night. There’s just something so classic and cozy about that. But only one…this drink is stiff hahaha

How would you describe the flavour of an Old Fashioned?

Smooth, silky and rich. A little bit sweet. A little bit orange. Mostly of strong flavours of whiskey.

Finger Foods to serve with an Old Fashioned:

spiced nuts
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings
Figs with Ricotta Cheese and Honey
Brie, soft white cheeses, old cheddar or blue cheese.

Recipe Tips:

Whiskey: We use Bourbon Whiskey for this recipe. But you can use rye whiskey.
Simple Syrup: Simple Syrup is just equal parts of sugar and water. Heres’ a quick recipe:
- 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar: In a saucepan boil the sugar and water over medium/high heat until sugar has dissolved. Then remove it from the heat and let cool completely. Store leftovers sealed in the fridge.
Simple Syrup Substitute: You can use 1/2 tsp sugar instead of simple syrup. Just stir the bitters and sugar together until the sugar is dissolved. You can also use orange simple syrup for this recipe…you can find the version I use in the recipe card in this post here.
Orange: Use a zester or knife to make orange rind curls to add to your drink. You can also add an orange slice instead of just the rind.
Ice: The amount of ice that you use is personal preference. Generally, a handful per glass is good…a full glass is great too!
Why is there no water in this recipe? Some recipes call for water, but we don’t like to add it to our Old Fashioneds, instead letting the ice water it down.
Garnish: You can garnish with a maraschino cherry or two. Tip: you can also use the maraschino cherry juice instead of the simple syrup!
Optional Ingredient: Add a dash of club soda if you like!