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The Old Fashioned never goes out of style. The centuries-old iconic drink is what started the cocktail revolution and today it remains one of the best ways to enjoy whisky. But just like other classic serves, there’s more than one way to make it.
Whilst we love original recipes, we also love staying true to ourselves. Whether that be adding a favourite flavour or giving a drink a whole new remix.
Here we share our favourite Old Fashioned variations that you can make your own way.
If you like your drinks on the sweeter side of life then you’ll wanna try an Apple Cider Old Fashioned. The simple addition of Somerset cider adds a sweet, fruity note to the original recipe making a lighter serve. Perfect for summer evenings and early Autumn nights with the seasonal flavours of apple and cinnamon.
A new spin on an old classic…meet the Apple Cider Old Fashioned. Made with only 4 key ingredients, this serve may be simple but it’s guaranteed to turn heads!
TRY ITAn old fashioned winter warmer for cosying up with on chilly nights. Inspired by a classic Hot Toddy. Top up the original Old Fashioned recipe with hot water to elevate the spiced, orange flavours and soothe the senses.
Swap sugar for nature’s own sweetener for a more floral, syrupy Old Fashioned taste. The natural sweetness of honey is a classic addition to whisky cocktails and this recipe shows it. Mix as little or as much as you like with Ballantine’s Finest and 4 dashes of bitters before serving over ice.
Inspired by the simplicity of the Old Fashioned, this vanilla and whisky cocktail celebrates the complex flavours of Ballantine’s 21 Year Old whisky. Sweet apple and rich liquorice notes pair with vanilla liqueur. Simple to make, surprising to drink.
This vanilla pairing combines with the natural notes of apple and liquorice present in Ballantine’s 23 Year Old whisky, adding layers of complexity.
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This pairing showcases that older blends can still be mixed with complex flavours, yet remain classic in style.
TRY ITA traditional Old Fashioned has an orange twist, But this one’s got extra zest. The addition of orange bitters brings another layer of fruity tang that pairs wonderfully with the rich vanilla and pears notes of Ballantine’s 23 Year Old whisky. Don’t take our word for it, give the Orange Old Fashioned a go.
Ballantine’s 17 Year Old has both a richness and complex spicy notes, so naturally works fantastically well in a Sazerac-style serve.
TRY ITMake your Old Fashioned smoky style with this Sazerac-style recipe. A Sazerac isn’t far off a traditional Old Fashioned, made with a simple swap from Angostura bitters to Peychaurd’s bitters. But don’t stop there. Add a pour of absinthe for a smoky scotch with a twist.
Make the old new with a modern take on whisky and bitters. This remix is so popular, it’s now a classic in its own right. The trick? Make it your way. There’s no rules when it comes to a New Fashioned. It’s simply swapping out one ingredient for another, or adding your own twist to make the strong Old Fashioned flavours slightly lighter. Add a herb garnish, muddle in some berries or pour in fruit liqueur to liven things up.
Another classic whisky cocktail, the Rob Roy is a mix between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned. The pairing of whisky and bitters is met with a pour of sweet vermouth to give it a light, fruity twist. Topped with a maraschino cherry. It’s a nod to a true Scottish legend, made with legendary Scottish whisky.
For those in the know, a Rob Roy is simply a Manhattan made with scotch. But also, it’s the shot of Ballantine’s 12 that makes it a true Scottish legend.
TRY ITLooking for more ways to shake up classic cocktail making? Check out our top twists on a Penicillin or Negroni variations that we reckon are better than the original. There’s plenty of whisky cocktails to make your own with Ballantine’s.
From a classic whisky mule to fruity and frozen twists, here are our favourite whisky variations on a Moscow Mule. However you like your mule, make it your way.
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If you’re searching for exciting whisky highball recipes to shake up your summer, check out some of our favourite variations made with Ballantine’s scotch whisky.
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