How to Make the Bourbon Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of the most ordered cocktails on the planet for a reason, and once you taste a truly great one, you will understand it completely. Grab your favorite bourbon and let’s make the version that turns Old Fashioned skeptics into lifelong fans.

OId Fashioned cocktails are not just for Father’s Day anymore. From New York to Bangkok, bourbon and bourbon cocktails are flying off the shelves.

Where the Bourbon Old Fashioned was born

While you’re sipping an Old Fashioned, have you ever wondered how bourbon, sugar, bitters, and an orange peel came together into something this perfect? I have an answer for you, or at least one answer, since as David Wondrich, the award winning cocktail historian, puts it, anyone who hooks their cart to a single cocktail origin story is going to go off road. I love believing the Old Fashioned was created for Colonel James E. Pepper, who once owned the largest bourbon distillery in the world, by the bartender at his private club, the Pendennis Club, in downtown Louisville. So that’s where we’re starting.

I spoke with the General Manager of the Pendennis Club, who walked me through the history. James E. Pepper is officially credited with inventing the Old Fashioned before moving to New York in the late 1800s, where he had the bartender at the Waldorf Astoria recreate it using his Kentucky bourbon. That bartender loved it so much he asked to keep the recipe, and the drink became such a hit in New York that the Waldorf Astoria now claims a piece of the invention story too.

Which Bourbon Makes the Best Old Fashioned

This is genuinely the most fun decision in the whole process, because the Old Fashioned is basically bourbon wearing a little bit of makeup. Sugar and bitters round the edges, but the spirit is still the star, so picking a bottle you love changes everything about the final drink. You can browse the full range of American whiskey here while you decide.

Here are the bottles that make an Old Fashioned sing:

• Buffalo Trace – Soft, warm, and easy on the wallet, with vanilla and light caramel that never fights the bitters.
• Four Roses Single Barrel – A higher proof bourbon with cherry and baking spice notes that stand up beautifully to dilution.
• Woodford Reserve – Rich and full bodied, a great pick if you want your Old Fashioned to taste a little more decadent.
• Elijah Craig Small Batch – Bold oak and toasted spice, perfect if you love a smokier, deeper glass.
• Wild Turkey 101 – Higher proof means it holds its own even as the ice melts, so it stays balanced longer.
• Maker’s Mark – A wheated bourbon with a gentle, rounded sweetness if you prefer something smooth over spicy.

What tools you need to make the Bourbon Old Fashioned

You won’t be needing a cocktail shaker for this one! Grab a jigger, a mixing glass, barspoon, strainer, and an Old Fashioned glass (or rocks glass.) For suave simplicity, clear ice cubes are the way to go, either one large ice cube will do nicely or clear ice balls. Just make sure you use fresh ice, because it’s an ingredient too!

Top Tip(ple)🍸: You can find all the tools you need and how to use them in my guide to choosing the best home bar tools!

How to Make It

The full recipe card below has your exact measurements and steps, but here is the feel of it. You’re building the drink right in the glass, letting the sugar and bitters get friendly before the bourbon and ice ever show up, then stirring patiently until everything melts together into one balanced sip. It only takes about five minutes, and the slow stir is genuinely part of the fun, not a chore to rush through.

An orange peel and a cherry are the classic garnishes. I’m not precious about using a standard maraschino cherry, but if you want to treat yourself, a Luxardo cherry is a lovely upgrade.

Common Old Fashioned Mistakes (And Easy Fixes)

• Skipping the splash of water when muddling the sugar cube. It helps the sugar dissolve fully instead of leaving gritty bits at the bottom of your glass.
• Using too much small ice too fast. It melts quickly and waters down the drink before you even get to taste it.
• Rushing the stir. Thirty seconds of real stirring is what gets you that silky, properly chilled texture.
• Grabbing a very high proof bourbon without adjusting. Stir a touch less and use slightly less ice so the drink doesn’t come out too boozy.
• Skipping the citrus peel. A quick twist over the glass releases orange oils that tie the whole drink together, so do not skip this step even when you’re in a hurry.

Fun Ways to Switch It Up

• Use demerara sugar or maple syrup instead of a sugar cube for deeper caramel notes.
• Swap in rye whiskey for a spicier, more peppery version.
• Try a different bitters, like orange bitters or cherry bitters, for a whole new personality.
• Make a batch of simple syrup ahead of time if you’d rather skip the muddling step entirely.
• Reach for Fabbri Amarena Wild Cherries or Luxardo cherries as a garnish upgrade for a special occasion.

FAQ

Can I make Old Fashioneds ahead of time for a party?
Yes. Batch the bourbon, sugar, and bitters together in a bottle ahead of time, then just add fresh ice and a citrus twist per glass when your guests arrive.

Simple syrup or sugar cube, which is better?
Both work beautifully. A sugar cube gives you that classic build-in-the-glass ritual, while simple syrup is faster and dissolves instantly if you’re making several drinks at once.

Should I use less bourbon if my bottle is higher proof?
Not less bourbon exactly, just slightly less ice and a shorter stir, so the higher proof doesn’t get diluted down too much.

What’s the best way to muddle the sugar without over-muddling?
A gentle press and twist, just enough to dissolve the sugar in the bitters and water. You’re not trying to pulverize it, just help it melt.

Why Lush Life Loves It

This is the drink I hand to someone who says they don’t like whiskey, because a good Old Fashioned made with a bourbon you actually enjoy will change their mind every single time. It’s proof that a cocktail doesn’t need ten ingredients to be unforgettable.

Where to Find More Bourbon and Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

Here are a few of my favorites:

• The Manhattan
• Whiskey Sour
• Mint Julep
• Boulevardier
• Orange Peel Old Fashioned
• Coffee & Brown Sugar Old Fashioned

Where to Find the Best Old Fashioneds in the World

If you’re not a member of the Pendennis Club, you can find a wonderful Old Fashioned at nearly any bar in Louisville or across the state of Kentucky. Heading to KY? Do not miss the Urban Bourbon Trail.

Here is the recipe:

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