While almost everyone in the blog world has been posting recipes for holiday cookies and confections in recent weeks, we took a first time whirlwind trip Nashville with friends for several days. I could say it has taken me a week to recover and catch my breath from three days of non-stop concert going, bar hopping, eating, sightseeing, as well as hat and boot shopping, but I would be lying. In spite of uncharacteristically day drinking on this trip, I'm happy to report it took me less than a day to get caught back up in the holiday shopping and baking frenzy. But honestly, I wish I was back in Nashville sipping a cocktail and listening to some really good music. Okay, and maybe going on the hunt for a third pair of cowboy boots. From listening to music in the iconic Blue Bird Cafe and Ryman Auditorium as well in some of the more famous honky-tonks on Broadway, to spending a few hours at the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, to eating hot chicken at Prince's and Hattie B's (jury is out on which is better), to enjoying breakfast and dinner at some pretty amazing places, to just taking in Nashville's interesting architecture, I loved everything about that city. So why had it taken me so long to get there? Not sure I even know. But I am now available to be a tour guide to the capital city of country music!
My relatively recently acquired taste for Bourbon whiskey served me well while I was in Nashville. Along with trying a Bushwacker for the first time (talk about a boozy milkshake) and drinking Ranch Waters, the timeless, classic Old Fashioned was my cocktail of choice on this trip. After sampling them at several different places, I discovered I am a bit of an Old-Fashioned fussytarian (is anyone surprised?). I definitely prefer them being made with a good Bourbon whiskey, garnished with both an orange peel and cherries (Luxardo cherries please), and a little on the sweeter side.
Old Fashioned cocktails have been around since the 1800s. Some might say the Old Fashioned isn't really a cocktail. Just a glass of whiskey sweetened with some sugar and bitters. However, if you have ever had a great Old Fashioned you know it's a whole lot more than just a glass of whiskey.
Like pretty much everything, great food and great cocktails usually begins with great ingredients. With a little bit of personal preference thrown in there too. And when it comes to the Old Fashioned there are no shortage of opinions on the brand of Bourbon (or rye) whiskey to use, the type of sweetener (sugar cubes or simple syrup), the kind and quantity of bitters, the citrus fruit (orange or lemon) garnish, the ice (one large cube or a handful of smaller cubes), and last but not least, the cherries. There are even a plethora of opinions on the amount of time the Old Fashioned should be stirred.
The ingredient having the biggest influence on the taste of the Old Fashioned is going to be the bourbon whiskey. I happen to love the flavors of vanilla, molasses, toffee, mint, dark fruit, and anise found in Buffalo Trace Bourbon. For me it's my absolutely first choice when making this cocktail. But you will find a number of the 'best bourbons for an old-fashioned' recommendations if you look for them. Among some of those frequently mentioned are Elijah Wood Small Batch, Four Roses Small Batch or Single Barrel, Basil Hayden, Angel's Envy, and Maker's Mark. The flavor profile of the Old-Fashioned will differ slightly depending on which bourbon you choose. More expensive bourbons generally have a deeper oak, caramel and vanilla notes. So choose well and wisely.
Some Old-Fashioneds call for the use of a sugar cube muddled in water, while others call for the use of a simple syrup. This one uses a simple syrup made with equal parts Turbinado sugar. and water (see notes) to add a nuanced complexity and depth of flavor to the cocktail.
To muddle or to spritz, that is the question with regard to the orange peel. And the answer is.....spritz! Spritzing gives the Old-Fashioned just the right amount of sweetness. Now to the cherry garnish. Which one and how many? The options for cherries include maraschino or ones in heavy syrup (like Maraska or Luxardo). If you are looking to create a really great Old Fashioned, use cherries in heavy syrup (save the maraschino for topping a sundae). And three of them on a cocktail skewer just seems to be the perfect number. Now to the bitters. You will find some Old Fashioned recipes call for the use of only kind of bitter and anywhere from 2 to 6 dashes. In the spirit of more is better, this one uses two different kinds: Orange bitters and Peychaud's Aromatic Cocktail Bitters. And three dashes of each. Last, but not least, is the ice. One large cube or a handful of cubes? The benefits of using one large ice cube is it is slow to melt and less likely to water down the cocktail. You want your Old Fashioned chilled, but not diluted.
Like taking forever to get myself to Nashville, my appreciation and affinity for a really good (dare I say great?) Old Fashioned took almost as long. While I should have been influenced by my Old Fashioned loving friends (especially the girl from Minnesota aka the one who sometimes dons a 'Just call me Old-Fashioned' t-shirt) some years back, I only loved to drink bourbon a few short years ago. But like they say 'good things come to those who wait'. Although if you love bourbon or bourbon whiskey, think 'sooner rather than later' to enjoy this classic, timeless cocktail. Cheers!
Recipe
Old Fashioned
Makes 1 really good cocktail
Ingredients
2 teaspoons chilled simple syrup (see Notes)
3 dashes Orange bitters
3 dashes Peychaud's Aromatic Cocktail Bitters (or can use Angostura Aromatic Bitters)
1 large ice cube
2 ounces of Bourbon or Rye Whiskey (Buffalo Trace, Russell's, etc.)
1 orange peel (about 1 inch wide and about 3 inches long)
3 Luxardo cherries
Directions
1. Add the two teaspoons of simple syrup followed by three dashes of the Orange and Aromatic bitters to a cocktail glass.
2. Add in one large ice cube.
3. Pour in two ounces of a good quality bourbon or bourbon whiskey. Gently stir for at least thirty, but preferably sixty seconds.
4. Give the orange peel a squirt and add to the glass.
5. Place three Luxardo cherries on a cocktail skewer and place in the glass. Alternately drop a couple of cherries into the glass.
6. Now sit back and savor. Maybe put on some Old Dominion, The National, Carly Pearce, Dan and Shay, Zac Brown, Little Big Town, Lady A, Jason Aldean, or Chris Stapleton to create a bourbon whiskey drinking mood.
Notes: (1) Some like a little sweeter Old Fashioned. If you do, use 1 Tablespoon of simple syrup. (2) To make the simple syrup add one cup of water and one cup of Turbinado sugar to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally, until the sugar has melted. Let cool. Store in a bottle or jar. Store in the refrigerator. Simple syrup will be good for at least one month.
Broadway in Nashville (December 2021)