Classic Old-Fashioned Cocktail

Every whiskey lover should know how to make the best old-fashioned cocktail at home. This classic bourbon drink starts with an essential recipe, but can take on new depths of flavor by swapping out the ingredients for different spirits, bitters, sweeteners and garnishes. Learn how to riff on this timeless favorite with our in-depth guide.

About this Classic Old-Fashioned Drink recipe

I’ll never forget my first Old-Fashioned cocktail — at a friend’s rehearsal dinner in Wisconsin. A local insisted it was the cocktail to order, and that’s where my rocky love affair with this classic drink began.

I didn’t know it then, but the old-fashioned I drank was cheap and made incorrectly with muddled maraschino cherries and club soda. And yet, that was the recipe I learned in bartending school. Over years of ordering them at cocktail bars, I’ve studied expert bartenders and learned that a well-made old-fashioned is smooth, sophisticated and endlessly customizable — and made with an entirely different recipe.

Now that I know better, I’ve perfected the recipe (and taught my husband how to make them for me). It’s simple, perfectly balanced and easy to tweak with different spirits, sweeteners and garnishes. If you love a timeless cocktail that’s both elegant and easy to make, this one’s for you! Try one of these old-fashioned variations when you’re ready to level up.

More classic whiskey cocktail recipes: Manhattan Cocktail • Whiskey Sour • Bourbon Hot Toddy • Vieux Carré • Whiskey Smash

What is an old-fashioned cocktail?

The old-fashioned drink is a classic cocktail made with whiskey, simple syrup, cocktail bitters, a cocktail cherry ^* and a piece of orange zest.

The old-fashioned is usually made with bourbon whiskey, though it can be made with other types of whiskey like rye and scotch, as well as other spirits like tequila, mezcal and aged rum.

Traditionally made with the addition of cocktail cherries and orange zest, it can be customized with other types of fruit, ice, flavored simple syrups, bitters and even flavored whiskey.

Tools & glassware

To make an old-fashioned, you’ll need a mixing glass ^* and a bar spoon ^*. Some recipes call for using a muddler ^* to smash the cherry — you can do that if you want! I also like to serve my old-fashioneds with a large, clear ice cube.

Old-fashioneds are typically served in either rocks glasses ^* or old-fashioned glasses ^*. The terms are often used interchangeably, as both are short, heavy-bottomed tumblers.

• True old-fashioned glasses ^* are smaller, and meant to hold a single old-fashioned cocktail. They are sized for about 6 ounces and work well for neat pours.
• Rocks glasses ^* are also called double old-fashioned glasses ^*. About 8 ounces, they are designed to hold two old-fashioned cocktails or sipping straight whiskey on the rocks. These are more popular these days as they can hold the signature large ice cube.

favorite rocks glasses

striped old-fashioned glasses

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hobnail rocks glasses

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minimalist rocks glasses

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^*

Old-fashioned ingredients

The old-fashioned is an easy recipe to customize to your own liking. You can change just one or two ingredients and create a totally different drink. It’s no wonder bartenders everywhere love to riff on the old-fashioned!

This is what we usually put in our old-fashioneds, but check out the Substitutions & Variations section below for more ways to switch things up.

• aromatic bitters: Bitters are a strong, alcoholic tincture-like liquid that’s flavored with herbs, spices, flowers, roots and other botanicals that add a little extra fragrance, flavor and complexity to an old-fashioned, making it more well-rounded in taste. I prefer to add them toward the end so their aroma is stronger on the nose.
• simple syrup: Even though bourbon is fairly sweet on its own, sugar helps to cut the strength of the alcohol. However, it is difficult to dissolve in cold liquid, so I recommend simple syrup, which is easy to make with sugar and water.
• bourbon whiskey: Bourbon whiskey is the most classic choice, but you can swap in another type of whiskey (like Scotch or rye) or use another spirit altogether, like brandy or mezcal.

Garnishes

Another way to change up the old-fashioned is to switch up the garnishes. Traditionally, the old-fashioned gets:

large ice cube: Large ice cubes have less surface area than multiple smaller cubes, which means a larger cube will melt more slowly, which slows down the dilution of the bourbon, keeping your drink stronger for longer. I love using my ice designer ^* to make engraved ice that impresses a bourbon-loving friend!

orange zest: Use a vegetable peeler ^* or channel knife ^* against the orange peel, trying to avoid as much of the bitter white pith as possible.

cocktail cherry ^*: In my opinion, the best cherries for an old-fashioned cocktail are homemade cocktail cherries, but you can certainly buy them and have wonderful results. (I do, often!) I love Luxardo cherries ^* the best.

favorite cocktail cherries

luxardo cherries

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amarena cherries

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bourbon cherries

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^*

Best whiskey for old-fashioneds

Known for its lovely, sweet, oaky flavors, bourbon is the most popular type of whiskey for an old-fashioned. It’s also common to use rye whiskey in an old-fashioned, which gives it a drier, spicier taste. You can also branch out with Irish whiskey, Scotch, Canadian whisky or Japanese whisky. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a a smoky mezcal, aged rum or añejo tequila instead of whiskey.

There are tons of brands of bourbon out there. My advice is to buy the best brand(s) you can afford in your quest to find the best bourbon for an old-fashioned drink. Each brand has a unique mash recipe and aging technique, giving each bourbon a unique taste. It’s never too late to try something new!

My favorite brands are always on rotation — I love making old-fashioneds with Bulleit, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester and Angel’s Envy bourbons, and Knob Creek or Bulleit ryes.

Flavored bourbon is also an option: Try peanut butter whiskey, cinnamon whiskey or honey whiskey for a new flavor profile. (If you go this route, there may be added sugars so you may wish to skip or reduce the simple syrup.)

Substitutions & variations

In addition to changing up the type of whiskey or spirit you use, there are other ways to mix things up to make it your own.

1. Use fancy ice: Ice is a great way to infuse new flavors as I did with chai tea ice cubes in this chai old-fashioned cocktail recipe. Try making berry ice cubes or flower ice cubes for a gorgeous presentation.
2. Experiment with flavored syrups: Have fun with flavors like jalapeño syrup or lavender syrup to change up the flavors. If you don’t have simple syrup on hand, try maple syrup — my husband’s favorite recipe is this maple old-fashioned.
3. Make it non-alcoholic: If you would like to enjoy all the flavors of an old-fashioned drink without the booze, there are a number of non-alcoholic whiskey brands out there to try in a mocktail old-fashioned.
4. Use something other than cherries. Some old-fashioned recipes don’t call for cherries, and some do. Some folks add a little spoonful of juice for more cherry flavor. It’s all about personal preference. You can also use fresh fruit like peaches or even Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.
5. Use flavored bitters: Angostura bitters ^*, the most popular and former gold standard, are what we call aromatic bitters and they have a bouquet of flavors in them. But nowadays you can find more concentrated flavors like orange bitters ^*, cherry bitters or cinnamon bitters.
6. Make a smoked old-fashioned: If you want to get REALLY fancy, invest in a cocktail smoker ^*. Use it to add a smoky flavor to your drink, just like they do at the snazziest craft cocktail bars in town.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making the BEST old-fashioned!

• Use a high-quality whiskey. Even a mid-price one will level up your cocktails in a big way.
• Please skip the bright, neon red maraschino cherries! They are artificially colored and flavored, and mostly just taste like sugar. Instead, go for a brand name like Luxardo or spring for bourbon cherries like these from Woodford Reserve.
• Make your own simple syrup and keep it in your fridge to make all your cocktail mixing easier. For even quicker old-fashioneds, make my old-fashioned syrup with bitters built right in.

What not to do

And here are the biggest don’ts — trust me on these, I learned them the hard way!

• Don’t add club soda, which will dilute your nice bourbon! Plus, ice is going to do that anyway. If the whiskey is too sharp for you, you can add a splash of water, or just wait a moment or two for the ice to melt a tad more.
• Don’t muddle an orange slice and a maraschino cherry together. Instead, let the aromas of orange zest and a sophisticated cocktail cherry garnish work their fragrance magic.
• Don’t shake your old-fashioned in a cocktail shaker ^* — always stir to limit the dilution.

How to make an old-fashioned cocktail

There are many ways to make an old-fashioned. When I went to bartending school, I learned how to make an old-fashioned. Our teacher taught seven steps for making an old-fashioned, most of which I now fully disagree with!

Making an old-fashioned is easy, and you can do it in about 5 minutes or less. My husband makes them for himself at least once a week and claims to have perfected my recipe! Here’s what we do:

In a mixing glass ^*, add the syrup and whiskey, and an ice cube or two.

Stir gently to combine and chill the ingredients. Add a large ice cube to a glass.

Strain in the old-fashioned over the ice, trying to aim for the side of the glass.

Use a vegetable peeler ^* or channel knife ^* to cut a piece of orange zest. Orange peel adds a zip of zesty fragrance to every sip, hitting on the sour taste receptors on the tongue. This creates a balanced drink that tastes good all the way down.

Twist the orange peel over the drink to release its oils. Rub it around the rim of the glass, then place the orange peel in the cocktail. (Use lemon, lime or grapefruit peel if you’re in a pinch — or if you want to play with flavors!)

Garnish with a cocktail cherry, and add a dash or two of bitters on top. (A dash is equal to about 10 drops of bitters.)

FAQ

More old-fashioned recipes

If you love the classic old-fashioned, you’ll have fun mixing things up with different flavors and ingredients. Whether you stick with tradition or try a creative twist, there’s an old-fashioned variation for every taste. From bold whiskey swaps to unexpected sweeteners and garnishes, these recipes will inspire your next cocktail. Check out these delicious takes on the old-fashioned!

Hope you try this recipe, and let me know how you make it your own version of the best old-fashioned cocktail. Cheers!