Welcome to Paulina Cocina! Here we love vintage, classic, and old-fashioned cocktails. Some cocktail recipes are updated, adapted, and changed over time… This isn't the case with our cocktail today: the old-fashioned recipe is always the same. And that's why we love it.
The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest known cocktails. It has a very interesting history, and the recipe is unmissable.
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About the old fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail characterized by its simplicity and elegance. It's a cocktail that highlights the quality of the whiskey and is prepared in an "old-fashioned" or "ancient" way, hence its name.
An old-fashioned cocktail
Unlike many modern cocktails that incorporate a variety of ingredients and garnishes, this drink stays true to its roots and is composed primarily of whiskey, sugar, Angostura bitters, ice, and an orange peel.
What makes this cocktail special is its emphasis on highlighting the whiskey's flavor. Sugar and bitters are used to balance and enhance the spirit's flavors, while ice provides a subtle chill and dilution that allows the flavors to blend properly.
What does the old-fashioned contain and how is it prepared?
Preparation begins with choosing a good whiskey, either bourbon or rye, to serve as the base of the cocktail. Then, place a sugar cube or a dose of sugar syrup in a glass, followed by a few drops of Angostura bitters to add complexity and a bitter touch.
Ice is then added to the glass to chill and subtly dilute the cocktail. This step is crucial, as ice plays an important role in today's experience.
Once the ingredients are in the glass, the whiskey is poured over ice. It's important to note that the Old Fashioned is served without any garnish or additional ingredients, maintaining the purity of its main ingredients.
Where does the old fashioned come from?
The origin of this cocktail dates back to the 19th century in the United States, and it is considered one of the oldest and most basic cocktails in the history of mixology. Although the exact history is somewhat unclear, it is believed that the Old Fashioned evolved from a drink simply called the "whiskey cocktail."
- At the time, cocktails were simple and generally consisted of three main elements : alcohol, sugar, and bitters. Over time, cocktails began to become more elaborate, incorporating additional ingredients such as fruits, liqueurs, and syrups.
However, some whiskey lovers still preferred the "old fashioned" version of this drink, which consisted of a whiskey liqueur with sugar, bitters, and ice. This preparation style was known as "old fashioned."
5 interesting facts about the old-fashioned
- This is one of the oldest known cocktails. Its origins date back to the 19th century in the United States, and its basic recipe has remained virtually unchanged over the years, making it a true cocktail classic, like the martini , negroni , etc.
- The name " Old Fashioned " comes from the way cocktails were prepared in their early days, when they were simple combinations of liquor, sugar, and bitters. The term was used to refer to a drink prepared this way, without any embellishments or additional ingredients.
- The Old Fashioned gained popularity in pop culture thanks to the television series “ Mad Men ,” set in the 1960s. The main character, Don Draper, often enjoyed an Old Fashioned , which helped fuel a resurgence of interest in this classic cocktail.
- Ice not only serves to chill the drink, but also plays an important role in diluting the cocktail. Ice is added to gradually release the flavors of the whiskey and blend them with the other ingredients, creating a balanced drink.
- Although whiskey is the traditional spirit used in the Old Fashioned , some bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts experiment with different types of spirits. Bourbon is the most common choice, but it can also be made with rye whiskey or even other spirits like brandy, creating variations with unique flavors.
Now let's see step by step how to prepare it.
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Old-fashioned recipe
Yield : 1 glass
Preparation time : 7 minutes
Ingredients
- 60 ml whiskey (bourbon or rye are popular choices)
- 1 sugar cube or 15 ml sugar syrup
- 2-3 drops of Angostura bitters
- Ice
- 1 twist of orange peel
- 1 maraschino cherry
Steps to an incredible old-fashioned
- In an Old Fashioned or rocks glass, place the sugar cube or sugar syrup. Add the drops of Angostura bitters over the sugar.
- Add a pinch of water (15 ml) and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the whiskey and stir gently with a mixing spoon for about 15-20 seconds.
- Squeeze the orange peel twist over the cocktail to release its aromatic oils and place in the glass as a garnish.
- Garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry skewered on a toothpick and placed on the rim of the glass.
