Bourbon Old Fashioned
Alcoholic cocktail
Category : Alcoolisé
Origin : New York
Ingredients of the Bourbon Old Fashioned cocktail
Preparation of the Bourbon Old Fashioned cocktail
Directly in the glass Crush, in an old fashioned glass, a quarter of a sugar cube soaked with Angostura with a little Perrier, until the sugar dissolves Fill the glass with ice cubes Pour in the Bourbon whiskey and then stir to mix with the sugar Garnish with a half slice of lemon, a half slice of orange and a maraschino cherry
History of the Bourbon Old Fashioned cocktail
The Bourbon Old Fashioned is part of the long history of American cocktails from the late 19th century, when mixology began to take shape around simple formulas built on a spirit, a sweetener, a bitter, and a little water. Its name reflects this very “old-fashioned” logic, before more complex recipes appeared. Even though the Old Fashioned is now associated with several traditions, the bourbon version clearly speaks to the American taste for whisky, and to a bar culture where restraint and clarity of the blend matter just as much as its strength.
Its roots in New York reflect the city’s role as a major crossroads of cocktail culture, where styles and spirits move quickly between hotels, bars, and urban circles. Bourbon gives it a rounder, woodier personality than other whiskies, while Angostura brings the spicy bitterness that structures the whole drink. The sugar cube and soda water soften and bind the flavors, while the ice cubes reflect the modern emphasis on dilution and freshness. It is an iconic cocktail for its restraint, clarity, and balance between strength, sweetness, and bitterness.