Crowned the most popular cocktail in the world, the Old Fashioned is loved by many, and whilst it can’t be denied that the traditional recipe is an absolute cracker, there are many variations of it that, in our honest opinion, are just as good. So, without further ado let us introduce you to some of our favourite takes on an Old Fashioned.
The Traditional Old Fashioned
A timeless classic. The Old Fashioned cocktail has been around since the mid-1800s and is still just as popular today as it was back then.
Ingredients
60ml rye whiskey
1 sugar cube
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel to garnish
Maraschino cherry to garnish
Method
Place the sugar cube in a tumbler and dash the bitters on top of it. Muddle to mix. Add the whiskey, fill the glass with ice, and stir for 30 seconds to combine. Twist the orange peel over the drink before putting it into the glass. Add the cherry garnish and you're done!
Rum Old Fashioned
A great take on an Old Fashioned, the dark rum provides oaky notes which work beautifully with the zestiness from the bitters.
Ingredients
50ml dark rum
1 tsp sugar syrup
2 dashes Angostura orange bitters
Orange peel to garnish
Method
Put all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until the glass feels cold. Strain into a tumbler over a large ice cube and garnish with the orange peel.
Tequila Old Fashioned
Smooth and savoury, it is an utterly delicious Old Fashioned variation. The aged Añejo tequila provides oaky notes, spice and flavours of roasted agave. YUM!
Ingredients
60 ml Añejo tequila
7.5 ml Simple syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Orange peel to garnish
Method
Add the tequila, simple syrup and bitters to a tumbler with a big ice cube and stir well for around 30 seconds to combine. Garnish with the orange peel.
Gin Old Fashioned
Another great take on an Old Fashioned the Old Tom gin adds a less botanical, sweeter flavour to the cocktail than a London dry gin would while the orange bitters and lemon add a nice citrusy twist.
Ingredients
60ml Old Tom gin
7.5ml simple syrup
2 dashes of orange bitters
Lemon peel to garnish
Method
Add the simple syrup, bitters, and gin in a tumbler with ice and stir for 30 seconds to combine. Garnish with lemon peel and enjoy!
Maple Old Fashioned
Sweet and smooth, the maple brings out the warm, rich, caramel-y flavors in the bourbon perfectly.
Ingredients
60ml Bourbon whiskey
10ml Maple Syrup
2 dash Angostura bitters
Crispy bacon, for garnish
Method
Put the ingredients into a tumbler with ice and stir well to combine. Garnish with a 1/2 slice of crispy bacon. Top Tip: You can substitute the bourbon for rum here to make an equally good maple rum Old Fashioned.
Honey Old Fashioned
Good for someone just getting into whisky, this variation is lighter and sweeter than a traditional old fashioned but just as delicious!
Ingredients
60ml Scotch whisky
15ml honey syrup (1 part honey to 1 part water)
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
2 dashes of orange bitters
Method
Add the whisky, honey syrup, and bitters into a tumbler with ice and stir for about 30 seconds until well combined and chilled. Garnish with an orange peel twist.
Warm Old Fashioned
Perfect for chilly days this cocktail has the same great taste as the classic Old Fashioned and could even rival a Hot Toddy in our opinion!
Ingredients
60ml Bourbon whiskey
1 sugar cube
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 x Orange slice
1 x Maraschino cherry
60ml hot (not boiling) water
Method
Muddle the sugar cube, bitters, orange slice and Maraschino cherry in a mixing glass. Add the whiskey and mix well then strain into a glass mug. Top up with around 60ml of hot water and enjoy!
Looking for other cocktail variations? Make sure you check out The 10 Best Martini Variations and The Best Margarita Variations!