The Old Fashioned: History of a Classic Cocktail

The most classic of cocktails: the old fashioned. Is this really an “old fashioned” way of mixing a drink? What is the old fashioned and where did it come from? We’ll answer all your questions about this most classic of cocktails.

What is an Old Fashioned?

Although the old fashioned has many variations, the classic combination is a sugar cube, bitters, and bourbon whiskey. In reality the old fashioned is barely a cocktail–it's really just slightly sweetened bourbon or whiskey. However, these days, most bartenders will make the old fashioned with an orange peel and a cocktail cherry garnish.

How old is the old fashioned?

Unfortunately, this cocktail dates so far back that it’s hard to know exactly when the combination was born. In 1880 the Chicago Daily Tribune published an article to announce the withdrawal of Samuel Tilden from the Presidential election. This article stated “Hot-whiskies, Scotch and Irish, particularly the latter, sour-mashes, and old-fashioned cocktails were drank in honor of the event.”

The cocktail was so simple that it continued in popularity by drinkers who refused to change their ways and drink more modern cocktails. These drinkers always ordered their drinks the old fashioned way with whiskey or bourbon, sugar, water and bitters.

After prohibition, bartenders started to experiment beyond the simple old fashioned recipe. They would add soda water, muddled blend of oranges, and even pineapple. 

Today, people are turning back to this classic cocktail (in its original form). It has become so popular that it is the most Googled cocktail recipe and the most ordered drink in the United States.

How to Make an Old Fashioned

At Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, we keep it classic with the 1808. 

Make our 1808

2 oz. Eight Oaks Penna Rye Whiskey

Orange Peel

1 Sugar Cube

Angostura Bitters

Rim the rocks glass with your orange peel and toss in the bottom of the glass. Muddle the orange peel and sugar cube in a splash of water. Add 2-3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters. Add a large ice cube & pour in Penna Rye Whiskey. Stir well & enjoy!

Our cinnamon bourbon Old Fashioned featured on our menu now.

Cheers. 

At Eight Oaks we don’t just make whiskey, we make a difference. 

Tell us what you want to see in future blog posts. You can do that by sending your feedback to Josh at jvandenberg@eightoaksdistillery.com.