Drinks
OLD FASHIONED
Classic
Old Fashioned INGREDIENTS
- 50ml Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel Whisky
- 1 Brown Cane Sugar Cube
- 4 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- Orange peel, To Garnish
- Ice Cube
How to make an Old Fashioned
- Add the sugar cube to a rocks glass and soak with the bitters
- Muddle (smash) into a paste, add Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel and stir well to dissolve the sugar
- Continue to gently stir and add the ice
- Garnish with orange peel
THE BEST WAY TO MUDDLE
Muddling is a popular technique that involves crushing fruits and herbs to release their flavours into a cocktail. And it’s also the best way to break up a sugar cube when making an Old Fashioned. If you’ve got a muddler, great. If not, a spoon or small rolling pin will do. Make sure to muddle the sugar with the bitters and a dash of water to help it dissolve by gently crushing the sugar against the side and bottom of the glass.
STIRRED, NEVER SHAKEN
We live by the mantra that if it works for you, it works. But when it comes to Old Fashioneds, there’s really only one way to make one. This spirit-led cocktail doesn’t need much to combine its classic flavours–-a simple stir with ice will do. By shaking an Old Fashioned, you risk adding air and diluting the cocktail too quickly.
Sweeten things up
Like things sweet? The Old Fashioned is a super easy cocktail to tailor to your favourite tastes. So if you want it sweeter, all you need to do is add more sugar to the mix. Muddle in an extra sugar cube, or add a dash more sugar syrup. You’ll probably enjoy other sweet ingredients like honey, maple syrup and agave nectar.
Using simple syrup
If plain cane sugar isn’t your vibe, try using simple syrup. It’s easy to make and even easier to mix into an Old Fashioned as you won’t need to dissolve it into the bitters. Make up a batch at home by mixing one part water with one part sugar on the heat until dissolved. Then add 1-2 teaspoons to your Old Fashioned cocktail, or one part simple syrup to two parts whisky.
How to order an Old Fashioned in a bar
There’s no wrong way to order an Old Fashioned, simply state what you want and how you want it. Start by saying the type of whisky you fancy, followed by any tweaks you want to make. It could be with a twist, an extra dash of bitters or syrup instead of sugar.
Not sure where to start? Stick to a classic with our go-to order… ‘Pour me an Old Fashioned with Ballantine’s and an orange twist thanks’. Discover more ways to order scotch at a bar.
What does an Old Fashioned taste like?
A classic Old Fashioned is a short cocktail that strikes the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and smooth. The blend of bitters and Scotch creates a rich, intense serve, sweetened by the addition of a muddled sugar cube and Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel for a honeyed, smooth finish. But if you like your drinks super sugared, there are a few fun ways to make an Old Fashioned even sweeter. Try yours with a dash of honey or maple syrup, a popular Canadian twist. Or get fruity with extra orange, a smash of blueberry or turn heads with our Apple Cider Old Fashioned.
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SMOOTH AS ANYTHING, MIXES WITH EVERYTHING
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