Old Fashioned

Author Notes

Still crazy good after all these years. Simple to make and goes down easy. —Erika Kotite

Test Kitchen Notes

One sip of this classic old fashioned cocktail may transport you back in time. It's considered a classic for a reason, and it's a good cocktail to keep in mind as the temperatures fall and the holidays roll around. Nothing warms you up after a long day like a whiskey drink. According to Liquor.com, the origin of this drink dates to over 200 years old, so you know it's gotta be good if it's lasted for this long! If you haven't tried one before, you're out of excuses now. Instead of having to go through the process of making simple syrup, this recipe calls for a sugar cube, which delightfully sweetens the drink. Crushing it with the orange peel really brings out a lot of flavor, even though it's a very easy, quick step.

It's also important to take your time with this recipe—you really want a good dilution, and one of the commenters suggested stirring for at least 5 minutes in order to have the best old fashioned you've ever had. The New York Times reports that the original name was "whiskey cocktail, which became old-fashioned whiskey cocktail, and then just old-fashioned." It's one of the best ways you can let a really nice rye whiskey take center stage, and after one sip, it'll definitely warm the cockles. Like we mentioned before, you can't go wrong with a classic. You could use bourbon instead of the whiskey, but be sure to use the highest-quality liquor you can find. —The Editors