Old Fashioned Recipe

Sweeten and bitter

If using superfine sugar: place sugar (about 1/2 tsp) into an old fashioned or rocks glass and add the Angostura bitters (2 dashes). Muddle gently with a bar spoon or muddler until sugar is mostly dissolved. If using simple syrup: add 1/2 tsp (or about 2–3 ml) syrup and 2 dashes bitters directly to the glass and stir to combine.

Add whiskey

Pour 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon or rye whiskey into the glass over the sweetened bitters mixture.

Add ice and stir

Add a large ice cube or several small ice cubes to the glass. Stir gently with a bar spoon for about 20–30 seconds (15–20 full turns) until the drink is chilled and slightly diluted (about 10–15% dilution).

Express the orange peel over the drink: hold the peel with the outside facing down over the glass and give it a firm twist so the oils spray onto the surface. Optionally rub the peel around the rim of the glass, then drop it into the drink. Add a maraschino cherry if desired. Serve immediately.