Old Fashioned cocktails that rock

Mixology Basics
Author: The Bar Team
Woman enjoying an Old Fashioned cocktail

Ah, the Old Fashioned. What a classic cocktail. And one that never goes out of style.

The nice and easy recipe is made up of three simple ingredients – whisky (traditionally rye or bourbon), bitters (Angostura), sugar – blended for a delicious cocktail to sip on with friends at any celebration.

From Scotch instead of bourbon, ginger garnish instead of orange, the Old Fashioned can be easily switched up with a few small tweaks to cater to different tastebuds.

Our bartenders share their favourite Old Fashioned recipes that you can recreate at home...

old fashioned clasic

If you like Scotch whisky...

Talisker Old Fashioned

Ingredients
  • 50ml Talisker whisky

  • 5ml sugar syrup

  • A dash of bitters 

  • Ice

Garnish
  • Salt & pepper

Method
  • Add ice to a mixing glass

  • Add a dash of bitters

  • Add sugar syrup

  • Add Talisker whisky

  • Garnish, serve and enjoy

See the full recipe

Talisker Old Fashioned

“Once you have the formula down for an Old Fashioned, you can use it to make your own signature drinks by matching or contrasting flavours found in the single malt with the sugar and bitters combination.”
Ervin Trykowski

Ervin Trykowski

Whisky Guru


If bourbon is more your thing...

Classic Old Fashioned
Ingredients

Garnish

Orange peel

Method
  • Add 1 bar spoon of sugar into a mixing glass

  • Add 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

  • Add 50ml of Bulleit Bourbon whiskey

  • Garnish with an orange peel

See the full recipe

Single In Spain

If you like dehydrated pear...

Cardhu Old Fashioned
Ingredients
  • 50ml Cardhu whisky

  • 5ml sugar syrup 

  • A dash of bitters 

  • Ice

Garnish
  • Dehydrated pear

Method
  • Add ice and a dash of bitters to a rocks glass

  • Add Cardhu whisky

  • Add sugar syrup

  • Stir until chilled and strain over a julep strainer

  • Garnish with dehydrated pear

See the full recipe

 Copper Dog Making Old Fashioned Calum Lawrie

Hosting a whisky tasting party? Shop our whiskies.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Old Fashioned Without Bottle
The Bar logo in a white circle
About the Author

The Bar Team


The Bar Team is a group of behind-the-scenes writers, bartenders and drinks lovers who share tips, trends and easy how-tos. We mix real bar experience with a love of great drinks to help you try new ideas, learn and get inspired.

More from The Bar