Description
A sophisticated yet simple cocktail made with just bourbon, sugar, and bitters. This recipe takes less than two minutes to prepare, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want a drink that feels fancy without the effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
- 0.25 oz Simple Syrup (or 1 sugar cube with a splash of water)
- 2–3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 Orange Peel (for garnish)
- 1 Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (for garnish)
- 1 large ice cube or several small ice cubes
Instructions
- Prep your glass by placing ice (preferably one large cube) into an Old Fashioned glass.
- Add the simple syrup (or sugar cube with water) to the glass.
- Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters and swirl gently to combine with the sweetener.
- Pour in 2 oz of bourbon or rye whiskey.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds to chill and slightly dilute the drink.
- Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink by squeezing it skin-side down, then rub it on the rim and drop it in.
- Add the Luxardo cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
For the best results, use large ice cubes to prevent rapid dilution. Stirring is crucial to chill the drink and open up the whiskey flavors without over-diluting. Avoid neon red maraschino cherries; Luxardo cherries provide a better flavor profile. You can prep the simple syrup and bitters mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a month.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 7
- Carbohydrates: 8
Keywords: old fashioned cocktail, bourbon recipe, easy cocktails, weeknight drinks, classic cocktails, whiskey drink, simple syrup, angostura bitters