Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail known for its simplicity and timeless appeal. Here's a basic recipe for making an Old Fashioned:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon or rye whiskey

• 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 oz of simple syrup)

• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

• Orange or lemon peel (for garnish)

• Ice cubes

• Maraschino cherry (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Start by placing the sugar cube at the bottom of an Old Fashioned glass.

2. Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters directly onto the sugar cube. If you're using simple syrup, you can skip this step and add the syrup directly.

3. Add a splash of plain water (about a teaspoon) to the glass. This helps to dissolve the sugar and bitters. Use a muddler or a spoon to gently muddle the sugar and bitters together. This means you're crushing and mixing them to create a syrupy consistency.

4. Fill the glass with ice cubes. You can use a large ice cube or several smaller ones. The choice of ice is up to you, but larger cubes tend to dilute the drink more slowly.

5. Pour the bourbon or rye whiskey over the ice.

6. Stir the cocktail gently for about 20-30 seconds to chill and properly mix the ingredients. You can use a stir stick or a long spoon for this.

7. Optionally, garnish your Old Fashioned with a twist of orange or lemon peel. To do this, hold a piece of citrus peel over the glass, squeeze it gently to release some of the oils, and then run it around the rim of the glass before dropping it in.

8. Some people also like to add a maraschino cherry as an extra garnish. It's not traditional, but it's a common variation.

9. Serve your Old Fashioned and enjoy!

The Old Fashioned is a versatile cocktail, and you can adjust the ingredients and proportions to suit your personal taste. Some people prefer it sweeter or less sweet, so you can experiment with the sugar or syrup and bitters ratios to find your perfect balance.