The Cold Fashioned Is An Iced Coffee Take On The Classic Cocktail

If you're a fan of coffee and whiskey, and the thought of marrying the two in something other than a cold weather warmer piques your interest, then look no further than the Cold Fashioned. It's an iced coffee counterpart to the celebrated Old Fashioned cocktail, which emerged roughly in its current incarnation as a popular drink in the late 1800s. Keeping in line with the beloved classic, this modern take retains the simplicity and elegance of the original — a straightforward whiskey cocktail with a dash of bitters, a splash of simple syrup, and an orange peel garnish. It just adds a decadent caffeine kick in the form of cold brew coffee liqueur.

Served in a classic Old Fashioned glass (aka a lowball or rocks glass), the main difference between the drinks is that instead of the regular 2 ounces of whiskey, the Cold Fashioned has a one-to-one ratio of a single ounce of whiskey and a single ounce of cold brew coffee liqueur, such as Mr Black. Though there are other cold brew coffee liqueur manufacturers, this Australian coffee roastery and distillery, founded in 2013 and deemed "the leader in a new breed of spirits" by The New York Times, is clearly the cold brew coffee liqueur of choice as it appears in most recipes for this high-octane cocktail.

Just as with the original Old Fashioned, you can use a variety of spirits to make the Cold Fashioned to your taste. These include bourbon for a sweeter flavor with a hint of vanilla, rye whiskey for a little spicy bite, Irish whiskey, or even a smoky scotch.

To make this satisfyingly smooth beverage, add a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters to your glass. Follow this with 1 ounce each of your spirit of choice and the cold brew coffee liqueur. Add ice to your cocktail and stir to help chill the drink and dilute the whiskey for an improved and well-balanced flavor. Lastly, garnish with an orange peel. Like things a bit sweeter? Add a sugar cube at the beginning, shaking the bitters directly onto it along with a little water and then mashing the cube down in the bottom of the glass before adding your whiskey and coffee liqueur.

The Cold Fashioned is perfect for a Sunday brunch or an early evening cocktail. Just be sure to allow time before bed for the caffeine to wear off or you may just wind up partying all night — and you wouldn't want that, now would you?