Smooth Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

This old fashioned cocktail is, well, pretty old-fashioned, as it follows a very traditional and classic recipe. Recipe developer Christina Musgrave describes her smooth old fashioned as "pretty standard," saying it involves the same premise of whiskey, sugar, and bitters as do most other recipes, although she admits that bartenders will often make minor variations such as using simple syrup in place of sugar or using different types of bitters.

Musgrave's own tweak does involve switching up the bitters. While she retains the Angostura kind, she adds a few drops of orange bitters, as well. That way, not only is your drink extra-bitter, but it also has what she calls "a slight citrus twist that you will love." Well, a second citrus twist, that is, as the drink is already served with an actual twist of citrus peel. As Musgrave explains, the addition of orange bitters " give[s] the cocktail some brightness and a faint citrus note."

To make this drink, you'll need whiskey, the aforementioned bitters types, both orange and Angostura, as well as some sugar, and Musgrave specifically uses a sugar cube. As a garnish, you'll use the traditional orange peel.

The first step in making an old fashioned is to combine all of the ingredients in whatever vessel you have at hand, though a cocktail mixing glass works best. Mix the booze, bitters, and sugar, stirring until the last ingredient dissolves, then add some ice cubes and stir the drink some more until it feels cold.

Strain the drink into a short, chunky serving glass such as a rocks glass. You'll want some fresh ice for the drink, too. Musgrave likes to use a jumbo-sized ice cube, saying "a large ice cube is ideal because the ice melts slower," but if your household doesn't run to such accouterments, you can use such ice as you do have on hand. You could also try to make your own jumbo ice cubes using very small Tupperware containers if you want to get creative.

Anyway, once you've got your ice sorted and your drink strained, drop a piece of orange peel in the drink. It's best if you just use a thin strip of zest rather than a thick, chunky piece with pith attached. And there you have it — a delicious old fashioned that does down oh so smoothly.