Best Bourbon Old Fashioned
The Best Bourbon Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail blending bourbon with a balanced sweetness from turbinado simple syrup and aromatic complexity from Angostura and orange bitters. A large ice cube chills the drink slowly, while a twist of orange peel and a cocktail cherry serve as garnish, adding subtle citrus oils and a touch of fruitiness. This cocktail is stirred thoughtfully to meld flavors and chilled properly to preserve its smooth, robust character, making it suitable for savoring as a refined evening drink.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp simple syrup (made with turbinado sugar // see notes for method)
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 1 large ice cube
- 2 oz bourbon (we prefer Angel's Envy, Four Roses small batch, or Heaven's Door)
- 1 piece orange peel
- 1 whole cocktail cherry (we prefer Woodford Reserve or Jack Rudy)
Instructions
- To a cocktail glass, add 2 tsp (2 bar spoons) of simple syrup (we prefer making our simple syrup with 1 part turbinado sugar and 1 part water — see notes for method).
- Add 3 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Add 3 dashes orange bitters.
- Add a large ice cube to the glass.
- Add 2 ounces (60 ml) of bourbon.
- Stir, ideally for 1 minute and for at least 20 seconds.
- Spritz an orange peel over the glass to release its oils. Then twist the peel and add to the glass.
- Top with a cocktail cherry.
- Cheers and repeat!
Notes
- Prepare simple syrup by heating equal parts turbinado sugar and water until the sugar fully dissolves; cool before use.
- Store leftover simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to one month.
- Use organic turbinado sugar in the syrup to maintain vegan-friendly status.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 (cocktail)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 172
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cocktail | |
| Calories | 172 | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 8.4g | 3% |
| Protein | 0g | 0% |
| Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 1mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 2mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 8.3g | 17% |
| Vitamin A | 1.94IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 27.72mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 2.32mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.04mg | 0% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.