Old Scholar, The Classic Cocktail With A Fresh Burst Of Sage

In the realm of classic cocktails, the Old Scholar stands as a testament to a bygone era. With its origins shrouded by history, this drink exudes an air of refinement that continues to captivate modern palates.

The Old Scholar cocktail is a rye take on an Old Fashioned that dates back to the early 20th century, a time when cocktails were an art form and bartenders were revered as maestros of mixology. This timeless libation is said to have made its debut during the Prohibition era, a period marked by speakeasies and creative concoctions that concealed the less palatable liquors of the time.

The essence of an Old Scholar lies in the harmonious blend of its core ingredients. Whiskey takes center stage, joined by the bold, sweet and sharp orange juice, simple syrup, and muddled sage. The richness of the whiskey takes the lead, imparting warm notes of oak, caramel, and a gentle embrace of spice. The herbaceous bitterness of sage balances the subtle sweetness of the orange juice and simple syrup. Ultimately, the drink offers botanical intrigue that lingers on the palate.

Creating the Old Scholar cocktail is actually quite easy to mix up at home. To craft this nostalgic yet refined cocktail, you will need to muddle plenty of sage  — around five or six leaves — with 1 ounce of simple syrup in the bottom of a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and add 4 ounces of orange juice and 3 ounces of your favorite rye whiskey. 

Shake the mixture well until it is thoroughly combined and chilled — around 30 seconds to a minute. To serve the cocktail, strain it over ice and garnish with more sage. 

As you lift an Old Scholar cocktail to your lips, you will experience a whiskey cocktail unlike most others thanks to its herbal kick from the sage. So, embrace the timeless charm and nuanced flavors of the Old Scholar. This simple cocktail is one that you likely won't stop shaking up once you have tried it.