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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Classic Old-Fashioned

Classic Old-Fashioned is a cocktail made with Bitters, Water, Sugar, and Bourbon. It is served in a Old-Fashioned Glass.

Reviewed by Suggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic6 ingredients

Nutrition information is not yet available for this drink.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Advancedmuddled drink

Why: 6 ingredients, muddled drink, requires muddler

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. In an old-fashioned glass, muddle the bitters and water into the sugar cube, using the back of a teaspoon.Muddled
  2. Almost fill the glass with ice cubes and add the bourbon.Fill
  3. Garnish with the orange slice and the cherry.Garnish
  4. Serve with a swizzle stick.Serve

How to Serve

Glass
Old-Fashioned Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Cubed ice
Method
Muddled
Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Sweet

Supporting notes

CaramelCitrusOakSpiceVanilla

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold

What do these dimensions mean?

Food pairings

BBQSteakGrilled Meat

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVeganVegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Bitters3 dashes

Angostura BittersKnown variation
How much to use
Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes
When a recipe says only “bitters,” Angostura is a common aromatic default, except in drinks built around another named bitters style.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar1

Simple SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use about 1/4 oz simple syrup per teaspoon of sugar as a starting point.
What changes
Simple syrup can replace sugar, but it also adds water and dissolves more easily.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Bourbon3 oz

Rye WhiskeyWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use the same amount; adjust sweetener if the drink becomes too dry.
What changes
Rye whiskey can replace bourbon when a spicier, drier version is acceptable.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

How strong is a Classic Old-Fashioned?
The published Classic Old-Fashioned recipe contains alcohol, but a calculated ABV is not currently available. Check the listed spirit and liqueur measures above rather than treating missing ABV data as an alcohol-free claim.
Can I make a Classic Old-Fashioned at home?
Yes. The Classic Old-Fashioned uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Old-Fashioned Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.