The Old Fashioned is one of the best cocktails to build your confidence as a home bartender. First off, it’s easy to make. Secondly, playing with different whiskies, sweeteners, bitters, and even garnishes can bring out new flavors. Lastly, if you experiment with one thing at a time, the odds are high that the final drink will be pretty good.
Consider maple syrup. If you use the real stuff—not the kind that's corn syrup in disguise—in place of sugar, it brings out the bourbon's caramel flavors and adds depth to the drink.
And walnut bitters offer a more robust flavor, says Ashley Redfern, bartender at 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails in Franklin, Tennessee. “They’re also slightly sweeter, while Angostura bitters typically have more spice to them and lean heavier into the clove and cinnamon flavors,” she says.
Combine both swaps, and you have Redfern’s Winter Old Fashioned. “This cocktail takes the classic Old Fashioned and warms it up a bit for the winter,” she says. “The maple syrup gives the cocktail a unique richness that you don’t get with a normal Old Fashioned. It’s perfect for sitting by the fire.”
Winter Old Fashioned
- 2 oz. Whistlepig PiggyBack (or other high-rye bourbon)
- 1/4 oz. Whistlepig Barrel Aged maple syrup (or regular real maple syrup)
- 4 dashes black walnut bitters
- Orange peel and Luxardo cherry for garnish
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir 25 to 30 seconds. Strain over a large cube in a rock glass. Express orange peel over top, then add to drink with cherry.
