“Mad” about the Old Fashioned.
What’s Old is New again.
Teetering in and out of popularity, “The Old Fashioned” has been the traditional way to make a cocktail for over 130 years, its current resurgence in popularity could be attributed to the character Don Draper in the AMC series Mad Men, who adopted it as his cocktail of choice and seemed to drink one at every opportunity.
The Old Fashioned was believed to have been developed during the 19th century and was apparently given its name during the 1880s. The cocktail is made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding alcohol, such as Bourbon or Whiskey, and a twist of citrus rind. It is traditionally served in a short, round, tumbler, which is often called an Old Fashioned glass, obviously named after the drink.
How to make one?
Muddle a small lump of sugar and two dashes of Angostura Bitters with a couple drops of water in an Old Fashioned Glass until dissolved
Add 2floz of a good Bourbon or Whiskey and a large ice cube (Never crushed) along with a piece of Orange or Lemon peel
Garnish with Maraschino Cherry
Mix well with small bar-spoon and serve.
The fruit elements, Cherry, Orange and Lemon are contentious additions to the drink, as is the addition of water or soda in the muddling process, you will have your own preference to make the perfect Old Fashioned.
As Don Draper would say “Change is neither good nor bad. It simply is”
