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Grand Old Fashioned

A timeless, elegant cocktail featuring bourbon, sugar, bitters, and an orange twist, focusing on simplicity and balance.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces bourbon whiskey or rye whiskey for a spicier version
  • 1 sugar cube or 0.5 teaspoon simple syrup
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters optional but recommended
  • Large ice cube or several standard ice cubes
  • 1 orange peel for garnish
  • Pinch of water for muddling

Equipment

  • Rocks glass or old fashioned glass (10-12 ounces)
  • Bar spoon or long stirring spoon
  • Jigger for measuring spirits
  • Muddler (or the back of a spoon)
  • Channel knife or microplane for orange peel
  • Cutting board for prepping garnish
  • Cocktail strainer (optional)

Method
 

  1. Chill your glass by filling it with ice and letting it sit while you prepare the ingredients.
  2. Discard the ice and add a sugar cube to the bottom of the chilled glass.
  3. Pour 2 to 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and 1 dash of orange bitters over the sugar cube.
  4. Add a pinch of water and gently muddle the sugar cube for about 4 to 5 twists until it mostly dissolves.
  5. Measure and pour 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey into the glass.
  6. Add a large ice cube or several standard ice cubes to the glass.
  7. Stir the cocktail with a bar spoon for 15 to 20 seconds until properly chilled and diluted.
  8. Cut a 2 inch by 1 inch strip of orange peel, express its oils over the drink, and rub the peel around the rim.
  9. Garnish with the expressed orange peel and serve immediately.

Notes

Use a large single ice cube to minimize dilution and adjust the sweetness and dilution to your taste preferences.