The Willett Family

The Perfect Old Fashioned

One of my favorite ways to end a great meal is with an old fashioned. I’ve been experimenting with different recipes for years, but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered the magic of walnut bitters. They really take my homemade cocktail to the next level.

When I make an old fashioned, I don’t use a high-end whisky because the bitters will hide the nuances of the flavors. At the same time, I don’t use a cheap whisky either. I like to pick something that is middle of the road. I also tend to favor ryes over bourbons, but I love them both. A few whiskies that I like to use include Basil Hayden, Willett Rye, Chicken Cock, and Elijah Craig.

Old Fashioned Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces of your preferred whisky
• 1/2 ounce of Turbinado simple syrup
• 6 dashes of walnut bitters
• 2 dashes of orange bitters
• 2 dashes of chocolate bitters
• Ice
• Orange slice, dehydrated or fresh, optional
• Maraschino cherries, optional

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Stir until well-chilled, about 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherries, if desired.

Depending on your day, this makes either 1 or 2 servings.

Enjoy!

Here are some tips for making the perfect old fashioned:

• Use high-quality ingredients. The better the whisky, the better the cocktail will taste, but don’t overspend.
• Don’t over-stir. You want the ice to chill the cocktail, but you don’t want to dilute it too much.
• Garnish with fresh fruit. An orange slice or a dehydrated orange wheel will add a touch of sweetness and acidity to the cocktail.
• Experiment with different bitters. There are many different types of bitters available, so experiment until you find a combination that you like.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Turbinado Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Turbinado sugar
• 1 cup water

Directions:

1. Combine both ingredients in a sauce pan over high heat.
2. Stir while heating to allow all the sugar to dissolve.
3. Once all of the sugar has dissolved, turn the heat off and allow to cool.

This simple syrup has a great nutty flavor that is wonderful with any cocktail needing a simple syrup.