Name: Old-Fashioned
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 ounces bourbon; 1 teaspoon recipe; ⅛ teaspoon old-fashioned aromatic bitters; ⅛ teaspoon citrus bitters; Strip of orange peels for garnishing; Cocktail cherries for garnishing

Why This Recipe Works

In the 1800s, if you walked into a bar and asked for a “whiskey cocktail,” you'd get whiskey, sugar, bitters, and ice (or water). Later, as new liqueurs began arriving from Europe and bartenders started experimenting with them, you could no longer be sure what you'd get, so people began asking for a “whiskey cocktail the old-fashioned way.” There's debate over whether the old-fashioned was made originally with bourbon or rye—or even rum. Many recipes call for muddling sugar cubes and fruit in the bottom of a rocks glass, but sugar cube size varies and so using Simple Syrup instead ensured consistency of flavor, and we didn't have to worry about gritty undissolved sugar at the bottom of our cocktail. Old-fashioneds are often sweeter than Manhattans because of that sugar cube, but the small amount of Simple Syrup ensured that ours wouldn't be too sweet. In lieu of the muddled fruit, we discovered that tasters loved the subtle citrus element that citrus bitters brought, in addition to the woodsy notes of old-fashioned aromatic bitters.

Before You Begin

If you wish, you can use only old-fashioned aromatic bitters in this cocktail, a total of ¼ teaspoon. Since the bitters play a more prominent role here, we prefer our homemade Old-Fashioned Aromatic Bitters and Citrus Bitters, though you can use store-bought.

Instructions

Add bourbon, simple syrup, aromatic bitters, and citrus bitters to mixing glass, then fill three-quarters full with ice. Using bar spoon, stir until mixture is just combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain cocktail into chilled rocks glass half-filled with ice or containing 1 large ice cube. Pinch orange peel over drink and rub outer edge of glass with peel, then garnish with orange peel and cocktail cherries. Serve.