It seems it all began in the early 1800s, when cocktails were very simple: spirits plus sugar plus water plus bitters. Such a concoction was first documented in a New York publication in 1806 and identified as a “cocktail.”
Nowadays, pretty much any mixture including hard liquor is called a cocktail, and that original mixture of whiskey, sugar, and bitters has undergone plenty of creative twists itself. In fact, within a few years after “the og” became popular, it evolved. By the mid- to late-1800s, bartenders were taking the basic whiskey-sugar-bitters recipe and adding various liqueurs, absinthe, muddled fruit (cherries and pineapple have been popular), and other ingredients.
Not everyone was a fan of the fancy. Over time, purists who preferred their cocktails stripped down began ordering them “the old-fashioned way,” meaning as a lowball with just the whiskey, sugar, bitters, and maybe a narrow spiral of orange as garnish. Thus, that mixture became known as the Old-Fashioned.
Last month at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby—the most exciting two minutes in sports—it wasn’t just about the horses and the hats and the all-famous Mint Juleps. Some say “real fans” know that Thurby, the wildly popular extravaganza held the Thursday before Derby day, is all about the Old-Fashioned. In fact, it has even been said the cocktail was invented in Louisville. There’s no doubt Louisville claims the Old-Fashioned as its own, citing links between the drink and the private Pendennis Club, where it was all the rage in the late-1800s.
No matter where it was born or how you take your whiskey these days, it’s worth going back to basics on occasion. Start with a very high-quality whiskey—typically bourbon or rye—and add a little sweet, a little bitter, a little snap of citrus, and just the right amount of ice. Here, we share the formula for a classic Old-Fashioned you can make at home. If you’re in the mood to go out, to slide into a barstool, or sip down a smooth Old-Fashioned alongside a great meal, try one of the friendly EDH establishments. They’ve got signature versions of the Old-Fashioned—some with peach, chocolate, vanilla, or other flavors—and also will happily make you a spirit-lifting version of the classic one we’re celebrating. Just ask, and request the highest-shelf whiskey you can manage. Some possibilities: 36 Handles Public House, Sienna, ELDO Chophouse & Kitchen, C. Knight’s Steakhouse, Milestone, and South Fork Grille.
For more information about the Old-Fashioned’s history, check out “The Old-Fashioned: The Story of the World’s First Classic Cocktail With Recipes & Lore” by Robert Simonson; “The Old Fashioned: Celebrating the History, Craft and Culture of America’s Classic Cocktail” by Gilbert Chediak; and “The Old Fashioned: An Essential Guide to the Original Whiskey Cocktail” by Albert W. A. Schmid.
Cheers!
The Classic Recipe
At its core, the Old-Fashioned is beautifully simple.
· Whiskey (traditionally bourbon or rye)
· Sugar (or simple syrup)
· Angostura bitters
· Orange peel (for aroma and garnish)
· Ice
No mixers. No shortcuts. Just balance.
No matter where it was born or how you take your whiskey these days, it’s worth going back to basics on occasion.