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Cocktails

Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned is an alcoholic cocktail built on Bourbon. It leans spice and sweet. Served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 38.4% ABV and roughly 133 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic38.4% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

133 kcalCalories
38.4%ABV
4.3gSugar
4.3gCarbs
1.14Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatemuddled drink

Why: 4 ingredients, muddled drink, requires muddler

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Place sugar cube in Old Fashioned glass and saturate with bitters, add a dash of plain water.Add
  2. Muddle until dissolved.Muddled
  3. Fill the glass with ice cubes and add whiskey.Fill
  4. Garnish with orange twist, and a cocktail cherry.Garnish

How to Serve

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

Taste profile

Primary flavours

SpiceSweet

Supporting notes

BitterCaramelOakVanilla

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • High ABV
  • Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

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

Bourbon4.5 cL

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

Angostura Bitters2 dashes

Aromatic BittersWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes
Another aromatic bitters can replace Angostura when some change in spice and fruit character is acceptable.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Orange BittersNot a neutral swap
How much to use
Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste; the result will lose some baking-spice character.
What changes
Orange bitters can replace Angostura only when a brighter, more citrus-led result is acceptable.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar1 cube

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

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

What is an Old Fashioned?
The Old Fashioned is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 38.4%. A standard serving contains approximately 133 calories.
What does an Old Fashioned taste like?
Old Fashioned has a flavour profile featuring Spice, Sweet, Bitter, Caramel. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with an Old Fashioned?
Old Fashioned pairs well with BBQ, Steak, Grilled Meat. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is an Old Fashioned?
The Old Fashioned has an ABV of approximately 38.4%. That's approximately 1.14 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 133 kcal, 4.3g sugar, 4.3g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is an Old Fashioned typically served?
Old Fashioned is often suggested for After Dinner, BBQ / Cookout, Winter / Cozy, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to an Old Fashioned?
If you enjoy Old Fashioned, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make an Old Fashioned at home?
Yes. The Old Fashioned uses 4 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Old-Fashioned Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?
Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Old Fashioned with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.