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Old Fashioned

Build

Classic

Short & Boozy


Preptime: 2 minutes

Servings: 1

The Old Fashioned, sturdy and sophisticated, just like the leather-bound books that sit comfortably on your shelf. Enjoy it slowly, as you would a good tale, and let the flavors unfold at their own pace. This ageless classic made with bourbon, a hint of sugar, a few dashes of bitters, and garnished with a twist of citrus zest, seems almost too simple, but therein lies its magic. The bourbon, assertive yet mellow, plays the starring role, while the bitters bring a layer of complexity to the narrative. A touch of sugar just to sweeten the plot, and you're almost there. Yet, this Old Fashioned isn't quite like the others. No, this one calls for a single, large ice cube. An iceberg in a sea of bourbon, it cools the drink while keeping dilution to an absolute minimum.

Gear

  • Rocks glass
  • Jigger
  • Bar spoon
  • Stirring glass

Ingredients

  • 6 cl Burbon
  • 1 bar Spoon Simple Syrup
  • 3 dash Angostura Bitters
  • Garnish with Orange Zest
  1. Pour ingredients into stirring glass
  2. Fill stirring glass with ice
  3. Stir 20 times to dilute and chill
  4. Strain into rocks glass with ice
  5. Garnish with Orange Twist

Block ice vs. ice cubes

Why use one large ice cube compared to filling the glass with smaller ones?

It's mainly a matter of religion, but it does make different drinks. In the case of the old-fashioned, it becomes very obvious. An Old Fashioned served on a large cube slowly dilutes further after serving. The drink, thus, is consistent over the span of the drinking experience. 

An Old Fashioned served on ice cubes will dilute and change during the drinking experience. That is not a bad thing.

In the first case, you will stay with the booze-forward expression. In the latter case, the cocktail starts with a punch in the face, then gets lighter and more thirst-quenching, and the last sip has you smacking your lips and looking for the next one.

Really, it’s a matter of taste.

Spirits used to make Old Fashioned


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