Whew — it’s been busy around here. New jobs (more on that soon), new accomplishments and a few other things that deserve to be celebrated. And what better way to celebrate than with my favorite cocktail — the Old Fashioned.
After much at-home Old Fashioned experimentation with less-than-perfect results, I accepted the fact that my drinks just weren’t up to par. No more whiskey shall be sacrificed at the hands of this unskilled cocktail maker! It was time to learn from a pro.
So a few weeks ago I attended a Mad Men-themed cocktail class hosted by the very lovely Revae of Femme Du Coupe. Revae’s classes focus on all kinds of drinks, but I chose this particular class so I could learn how to make the perfect Old Fashioned. And that’s exactly what I did.
The Old Fashioned (makes one drink)
Recipe from Femme Du Coupe
What you need:
- 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon (I really love Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey for a splurge, but Maker’s Mark is my favorite go-to.)
- .25 ounces demerara (sugar in the raw) simple syrup
- 2 droppers* orange bitters (I use Bittercube. They’re more expensive than the other brands, but they’re absolutely the best.)
- 1 dropper* Angostura bitters
- 1 dropper* cherry vanilla bitters (Also Bittercube, optional.)
- Ice
*Not all bitters come with droppers. If using bottled bitters, one dropper equals about 7 drops.
Tools you need:
- A jigger
- A stir rod
- A cocktail strainer
- A nice whiskey or scotch glass (Mine are Villeroy & Boch.)
How you do it:
Fill a large glass with ice. Add 2 ounces of whiskey.
Add .25 ounces of simple syrup.
Add one dropper (or about 7 drops) of Angostura bitters, two droppers of orange bitters and one dropper of cherry vanilla bitters.
Stir. (I stir mine for a good 30-seconds. This allows the ice to melt a bit, taking some of the “heat” off of the whiskey.)
Fill a whiskey glass with fresh ice. Strain the chilled and stirred Old Fashioned into the whiskey glass.
Enjoy.
Fresh & Foodie 
Are you using rye, or bourbon? Or is it a matter of preference?
The Hudson bourbon is pretty great stuff. Templeton rye is also very, very good, and about the price of the Hud (which still makes it almost twice the price of Makers, but your liver only lives once, right?).
I just go with what I like or what I have on hand. I always have Maker’s and a bottle of nicer stuff, but the nicer stuff is almost always different.
i am in love with bourbon right now. thank you. 😉
That was supposed to say that the Templeton is “about *half* the price of the Hud.”
I can imagine that was a pretty fun class! I’m more of a Scotch girl but this looks delicious!
I could use one of these right now!
Looks great! I’ve been meaning to get some droppers for my bitters. But I love a cherry in my old fashioned, and if I have it a fat twist of orange peel.
If using rye, garnish with a lemon peel(little to no pith) pinch gently to spray oils over the surface of the cocktail, rub edges of glass, twist and toss it in with the cocktail,
*use orange peel for bourbon
Good tip. Thanks.
What gorgeous alchemy you got going there! Looks so perfect and silky smooth poured into that lovely glass. And what a fun class to attend! We’re just /now/ starting to watch Mad Men, starting at Season 1, and love it so far. 🙂
I am an Irish whiskey gal, myself.
Great photos – you have an enviable bar!
I love your glasses!!!
Bourbon is pretty much all I ever drink, my favorite is Bulliet, and the old fashioned is an old favorite. There are many different versions of it. I make mine by muddling separate sluces of orange, lemon and lime, with a bit of sugar and water, add a maraschino cherry, shake with ice, then add the bourbon (2 shots worth) to another glass with ice, then add the contents of the shaker dash with some bitters, and you’re golden.
I dated a guy who was obsessed with old fashioneds, but I never had an idea of what was in them! Thanks for enlightening me… 😉
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love a proper Old Fashion! The only thing that would make this my perfect OF would be straining it onto an ice ball so it doesn’t dilute the deliciousness too quickly… not that the drink will last long enough to dilute anyway..
I actually just got those ice cube trays and they’re really awesome. Difficult to fill, but awesome none the less.
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