The first reference to a “cocktail” was that of an Old Fashioned recipe. In an 1806 issue of The Balance and Columbian Repository in Hudson, New York, the editor responds to a reader’s inquiry to define the term. To which they replied that it was a potent concoction of spirits, Angostura bitters, water, and sugar.
Over the next century, an Old Fashioned could be made with any number of base spirits and often mixed with orange liqueur. By the mid-19th century, whiskey was the standard spirit used, combined with bitters, water and sugar. It is balanced and in essence, the “perfect” cocktail.
Ingredients
2 oz
BOURBON
1 whole
SUGAR CUBE, Or 1 tsp sugar or .25 oz simple syrup
2 dash(es)
BITTERS, Preferably Angostura
1 splash
WARM WATER, If using sugar cube or sugar
Directions
1. In a double rocks glass, muddle sugar and bitters with a splash of warm water
2. Add bourbon and large ice cube and stir
3. Garnish with an orange peel
Presentation
Served: On The Rocks
Drinkware: Rocks/Old Fashioned
Mixed: Built
Garnish: Orange peel
Flavors:
- Strong
, - Sweet
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