The Best Bourbon Old Fashioned Recipe

Certain things in life are just better together; milk and cookies, salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly are just a few well-known perfect pairs. Why only have one of these things when the real magic happens when you combine it with something else? Just like the Kentucky Derby and Bourbon.

Classic old fashion made at home.

Ask anyone what the state of Kentucky is known for, and it won’t take long for them to mention the Kentucky Derby and bourbon.

The Kentucky Derby is a historic sporting event that usually takes place on the first Saturday in May. This year it will run on Saturday, May 7th. While the mint julep is the official drink of the derby, with over 120,000 mint juleps served over the derby weekend each year, I prefer the Classic Old Fashioned as my derby day cocktail.

So if you're planning a Kentucky Derby party this year, go beyond the classic mint julep and include the classic old fashioned on your menu.

Call Me Old Fashioned

Even if you know nothing about cocktails, you've at least heard of an Old Fashioned. It's a cocktail designed to highlight its main ingredient – bourbon! It's simple; it's made with just four ingredients – whiskey, sugar, Angostura bitters, an optional (but recommended) orange peel, and a Luxardo cherry garnish.

The Recipe

This classic cocktail is a stirred drink, usually built in the glass in which it is served.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

• 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters

• 2 dashes of Reagan's Orange Bitters

Instructions

STEP 1 Add the ingredients to the serving glass

STEP 2 Rub the orange peel around the inside of the glass

STEP 3 Add a large ice cube to the glass

STEP 4 Stir and garnish with the orange peel and Luxardo cherry

The Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned

The best bourbon for an Old Fashioned is the bourbon you like! I prefer mine with bourbon, and my favorite for this cocktail is Woodford Reserve, but other mid-tier bourbons like Maker's Mark, Bulleit, or Knob Creek would all be excellent. Many mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts have an opinion on whether you should use rye or bourbon, but honestly, you can use either.

The Best Sugar for an Old Fashioned

Many mixologists feel the proper thing to do is muddle a sugar cube with the bitters in the bottom of the rocks glass. Some suggest adding club soda to help the cube dissolve, which takes away from the beautiful richness of the bourbon. After testing this out, I found that the sugar cube never fully dissolves and leaves a gritty texture to the cocktail.

Simple syrup is the best choice. It makes mixing and getting the appropriate amount of sweetness much more manageable and is readily available. Making your own is also simple, hence the name.

The Best Cherries for an Old Fashion

Cocktail cherries are among the best garnishes when you're looking for a simple yet elegant way to finish your old-fashioned. My favorite brand is Luxardo Maraschino Cherries; they are the original decadent cocktail cherry. They have the perfect amount of sweetness, and their syrup is an excellent addition to a cocktail.

The Best Bitters for an Old Fashioned

Bitters are small bottles of spirits infused with botanicals (herbs and spices) used to flavor cocktails. They’re essential in creating the perfect old fashion, and the market is full of a wide selection from traditional to craft bitters.

My favorite is Angostura bitters, which combines bitter and spicy flavors with hints of clove and cinnamon. When creating the perfect old-fashioned, I find that a blend of 3 dashes of Angostura and 3 dashes of orange bitters works best.

The Best Ice Cube for an Old Fashioned

Elevate your home cocktail to bar-style quality by using a single large ice cube. You might be wondering the reason for the larger cube. It's because a larger cube will melt slower, which slows down the dilution of the drink. When it comes to the ice cube, go big or go home.

You don't have to be at Churchill Downs to enjoy the taste of a proper cocktail. Shake up your home bar

options for the big day, with this classic recipe and tips for your Kentucky Derby Party.

Fred & I enjoying an old fashion at Woodford Reserve.

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