The Perfect Old Fashioned Recipe — The Right Bourbon, the Right Method | The Liquor Connoisseur®
- connoisseurofliquo
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Old Fashioned is the oldest cocktail in the American whiskey canon. It's also the most frequently made wrong. Crystal and Roger break down exactly how to make one — and which bourbon to use.
Why Wild Turkey 101 Is the Right Bourbon for an Old Fashioned
An Old Fashioned requires a bourbon with enough backbone to stand up to sugar and bitters without being overwhelmed. Wild Turkey 101 at 101 proof has that backbone. The high-rye mashbill adds spice that complements Angostura bitters perfectly. The proof means you can dilute over ice without losing the bourbon character. Crystal and Roger use Wild Turkey 101 as their house Old Fashioned bourbon.
The Recipe
Ingredients:
• 2 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon • 1/4 oz simple syrup (or 1 sugar cube) • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters • 1 dash orange bitters (optional but recommended) • Large ice cube or sphere • Orange peel for garnish
Method:
In a mixing glass: combine bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters. Add ice and stir 30-40 rotations — until well-chilled and slightly diluted. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Express an orange peel over the glass (twist it to release the oils, run it around the rim, drop it in). Serve immediately.
The Most Common Mistakes
Muddling fruit: a real Old Fashioned has no muddled cherry or orange slice. That's a Wisconsin-style variation, not the classic cocktail. Using too much sugar: simple syrup or one sugar cube — not two. The sugar is background sweetness, not the feature. Shaking instead of stirring: stirred spirit-only cocktails stay clear and have the right dilution. Shaking creates foam and over-dilution.
The Rye Whiskey Alternative
Michter's Single Barrel Straight Rye makes an exceptional Old Fashioned for those who prefer a drier, spicier expression. The higher rye content means you can cut the sugar slightly and let the whiskey lead. Crystal and Roger recommend trying an Old Fashioned with both bourbon and rye side by side to understand how the grain difference changes the cocktail entirely.
→ Full Wild Turkey 101 vs Maker's Mark 101 Comparison
→ Best Bourbon Under $30 — Ranked
🥃 Learn to Taste the Ingredients at a TLC Private Experience
Crystal and Roger lead private spirits tasting experiences. Corporate tastings from $1,500. In-home tastings from $500. Virtual tastings nationwide.
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