Craft Old Fashioned
By Bryan James | Updated on 04/22/24
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While I have worked on many drinks, bourbon has been my steady and an old fashioned my choice of delivery. There's no point developing a discerning taste or spending much if you're going to drown all the flavor out with mixers. Alcohol should be the star of any cocktail and everything else should just accentuate it.
I don't claim to have the best recipe for everyone. Everyone should tailor their drink to their tastes. I happen to prefer a sweeter and smoother bourbon for my old fashioned, so my recipe is tailored to bringing out the caramel and vanilla flavors. I also enjoy a good tasting bourbon that doesn't break the bank and thanks to craft distilleries you have many options to choose from. So, grab your ingredients and lets get started. Also, this is a craft cocktail not a Jack and Coke. I've listed some difficult to find ingredients because they truly make the drink better. That said, I've done my best to include strong replacements so that it's not an impossible recipe.
*Note: If this is your drink do yourself a favor and buy some nice tools. If they don't help you enjoy the craft more they will at least help you look good doing it.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
Tools
Tools
glass
jigger
Materials
Materials
Bourbon ( A few of my regulars)
Sugar
Primary
1/4 teaspoon white sugar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
Good Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup ( Optional and let me explain before you leave in disgust )
Secondary
2 teaspoons demerara sugar
Bitters
Primary
Bd Bittering Co. Meyer Lemon ( from Louisville and something I have not found online )
Secondary
Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters ( still looking for a better go to but this won't ruin or overpower your drink )
Instructions
Instructions
- Syrup-fy the Sugar
Notes:
Sugar Mix - I typically mix my sugar in batches so that I can scoop from one container. I almost always eyeball the proportions, just enough white sugar to slightly change the color of the mix.
Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup - Okay, so this is not Mrs. Butterworth's. While traveling in Maine I came across a craft Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup that tasted primarily of caramel notes and a touch of bourbon. Turns out, when a small amount was added to an old fashioned it helped accentuate the bourbon without adding too much sweetness. The hardest part is finding it! ( On the infinitesimally small chance this recipe goes viral there's no way I'm sharing where I found mine. Sorry. )
Put ~2 teaspoons of sugar into your glass
Pour a splash of bourbon on top
or
*If you have a maple syrup that you have tested and found to be amazing, drizzle the smallest amount on top of your sugar. You want just enough so that when you start to muddle the sugar it turns into syrup.
Use your muddle to pulverize the sugar and turn it into syrup.
2. Pour in the Bourbon
2. Pour in the Bourbon
Disclaimer - I am the son of son of a sailor, meaning my antique jigger measures out half a gill or 2.5 ounces and the standard daily ration in the British Royal Navy.
Add your bourbon
3. Add Bitters
3. Add Bitters
I can't stress enough how the right bitters can make your cocktail taste exponentially better. The grapefruit bitters I recommend is good but has too much acidity for my liking. Use what you have to but make a concerted effort to find a bitters that makes your drink sing. (Hint: Angostura bitters is not it.)
Add 3-4 drops of bitters.
4. Add Ice
4. Add Ice
Add your ice cube and enjoy.
If it's too sweet add more bourbon or a few more drops of bitters.
If it's not sweet enough add more sugar.
Enjoy Responsibly
Enjoy Responsibly
I hope these instructions were helpful and assist you in perfecting your own drink.
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