The Old Fashioned exists for a reason - it’s simple, timeless, and lets a good whisky actually taste like whisky. No cocktail shaker needed for this one either. Just whisky, bitters, sugar and ice.
It’s also one of the best ways to explore how different whiskies behave in a cocktail. Richer whiskies become smoother and dessert-like, while smoky whiskies lean savoury and campfire-y.
Which is exactly why it works so well with our Whisky Exploration Series.
Old Fashioned Recipe
You'll need:
- 60ml whisky
- 10ml sugar syrup
- 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
- Large ice cube
How to make it:
- Add your whisky, sugar syrup and bitters into a rocks glass.
- Drop in a large ice cube. Bigger ice melts slower and keeps the drink smoother for longer.
- Stir gently to cool the drink.
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Twist an orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in.
Which Whisky Works Best?
Tawny Cask is super rich and warming in an Old Fashioned. The port cask influence brings out caramel, dried fruit and dessert-style notes that work beautifully with orange and bitters. Optional twist: try brown sugar syrup or a tiny pinch of salt.
Light Peat is a more balanced smoky style that still works brilliantly. The smoke sits underneath citrus and spice rather than completely dominating the drink. Optional twist: add a squeeze of lemon peel alongside the orange.
Mallee Smoke turns it into full campfire mode. Big smoke, charred oak and dark sweetness make it a killer winter cocktail. Optional twist: use maple syrup instead of sugar syrup and lightly torch the orange peel.
Overall? Don’t overcomplicate it.
The whole point of an Old Fashioned is letting the whisky do the heavy lifting. Start simple, then tweak things depending on the whisky and how you like drinking it.
That’s half the fun of the Exploration Series anyway - seeing how different barrels completely change the experience in the glass!
Ready to try it?
Explore our Whisky Exploration Series online today.
