The Old-Fashioned has been delighting bargoers since the early 1800s. Its popularity has not faded. According to Forbes, it ranked in the top 10 cocktails of 2024.

If you enjoy whiskey or brandy, the Old-Fashioned cocktail is a fantastic combination of sweetness, orange, bitters and the spirit of choice. The variations of this cocktail are endless. I want to discuss the most traditional versions.

The most traditionally recognized version of the Old-Fashioned cocktail requires you to muddle a single sugar cube, a whole slice of orange and a dash of aromatic bitters together in a glass with an oversized ice cube — then adding the spirit of choice, whether it’s bourbon, whiskey or rye. Give it a stir, and garnish it with a twist of orange peel and a succulent cherry.

I would argue the most popular recipe in the U.P. derives from our wonderful neighbors in Wisconsin. They add the option of brandy or whiskey and use 3 to 4 ounces of lemon-lime soda to the traditional recipe.

What makes an Old-Fashioned cocktail better than others? The art of the Old-Fashioned is about the elevation of ingredients of the recipe. I substitute the sugar cube with a simple syrup. Simple syrup is a fully dissolved sweetener. This allows for the cocktail to maintain the same level of sweetness from the start to the finish. A sugar cube can also add a grainy texture to the cocktail that some may find displeasing.

The next component is orange flavoring. I substitute the muddled orange slice with luxurious liquors like Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Jameson Orange and/or Aperol. These liquors are loaded with orange flavor and add another layer of complexity that will fully infuse with the whiskey or brandy.

Next is a dash of bitters. Bitters are flavor extracts made by infusing barks, flowers, roots, berries and/or citrus peels. Bitters are used to enhance the complexity of spirits.

The bitters most people recognize are Angostura bitters. “You know, the ones with the paper label too big for the bottle.” In a rush to get the product to market in the late 1800s, the wrong-sized label was ordered. They had already invested the money, so they just went with it and by mistake it became a trademark of their product, as it was easily identifiable on shelves. So, they embraced it.

There are dozens of different brands and flavors of bitters on the market today ranging from lemon, orange, root beer, cherry, vanilla, apple and baking spices, to name only a few. Experimenting with different flavor combinations will enhance the cocktail and set yours apart from others.

In my travels to Kentucky, the “Mother Country of Bourbon,” they tend to use rye whiskey in their Old-Fashioneds and save bourbon to be sipped neat. When selecting a whiskey for my Old-Fashioneds, higher proof whiskey maintains the booziness the cocktail is known for. The higher proof combats the dilution of alcohol when mixed with the other ingredients.

Experimentation with the vast variety of whiskeys on the market is the only way to find the one that tickles your palate while balancing your pocketbook. Never let the price of the spirit influence your taste preference.

Next is the garnish. Not only does the garnish make your drink look fabulous, but it also will enhance the flavor of the drink. Using the orange peel, twist the oil over the glass and rub it around the edge of your glass. The orange oil adds an intense aroma and flavor to your cocktail.

The cocktail cherry ranges from your standard common grocery store maraschino to higher end cocktail cherries from Woodford Reserve and Luxardo. Use a decorative skewer to display the cherry, and use it as your stir stick to infuse a cherry element to the drink.

Use these tips and suggestions to create your own masterpiece and battle your friends for the best Old-Fashioned in your neighborhood.