Do you enjoy a really good Old Fashioned?  Well here is the recipe plus some tips for making this the classic way.

1. Use good quality whiskey.  It doesn’t have to break the bank but it should be something in the mid–range that is smooth.  Rye was the original alcohol used in this drink, but over the year bourbon whiskey has become more popular.
2. The original recipe called for a cube of sugar but simple syrup works very well since it does not have to be muddled to get it to dissolve.  But please, I say PLEASE don’t dump one of those packets of sugar that you get in restaurants into the glass.  That would just be blasphemous.
3. Use 2-3 dashes ONLY of bitters.  You can use Angostura or Orange Bitters.  Either works well here.  No more, no less.
4. Don’t add soda water!  Soda water is being used in some bars but this definitely not classic.  If you really like it that way, go ahead, but just know that’s not the right way.  It should be still water if you really need to add water.  Don’t forget this is a sipping cocktail, not a chugging cocktail so the ice is going to dilute over time so you really do not need to add water unless you want to.
5. Cherry – please don’t use one of those bright red cocktail cherries. Those are for tropical cocktails, not for this lovely, sophisticated drink.  Please use something a little more high brow like a Luxardo cherry.  If a Luxardo cherry does not make the eyeballs roll into the back of your head, I don’t know what will!  They are simply the most amazing cherries on Earth.  And don’t muddle the cherry.
6.   Large ice cubes are better if you have them.  They melt slower so it won’t dilute the drink as fast.
7.  A shaving of orange is good if you have one or you can put an orange wheel on the rim.
8. This drink is never shaken, it’s always stirred.

Recipe:

2 oz. Good Quality Bourbon Whiskey
.5 oz. Simple Syrup
2-3 dashes of bitters

In an Old Fashioned glass (short glass) put a large ice cube in the glass.  Add the whiskey, simple syrup and bitters. Using a bar spoon, gently stir the cocktail.  Garnish with a Luxardo cherry and or orange if desired.  Cheers!