Signature Old Fashioned Recipe

Combine

Place 2 cups demerara sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan.

Heat

Warm over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is clear. Do not boil vigorously — just bring to a gentle simmer for 1–2 minutes to ensure dissolution.

Cool and store

Remove from heat, let cool to room temperature, then transfer to a clean jar. Refrigerate. Syrup keeps up to 1 month.

Prepare glass

Place a large ice cube or several large ice spheres into a rocks glass. Chilling the glass briefly in the freezer beforehand is optional but recommended.

Build

In a mixing glass or directly in the rocks glass, add 0.5 oz demerara sugar syrup, 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (if using). Stir briefly to combine.

Add bourbon

Pour 2 oz E&C Personal Select Woodford Bourbon over the syrup and bitters.

Stir

If using a mixing glass, add ice and stir with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted (about 15–20% dilution). If built in the rocks glass with a large cube, gently stir 8–10 slow turns to integrate without over-diluting.

Express and garnish

Take an orange peel and hold it over the glass, skin side down. Give it a firm twist to express the oils over the surface, then rub the peel along the rim and drop it into the glass. Optionally, add a Luxardo or brandied cherry on a pick.

Serve

Serve immediately on the rocks. Sip slowly to appreciate the balance of bourbon, rich demerara sweetness, and bitters.