Old Fashioned cocktail illustration

Whiskey · COCKTAIL GUIDE

Old Fashioned

An Old Fashioned puts the whiskey at the centre rather than hiding it behind juice or bubbles. Expect measured sweetness, aromatic spice and orange over a broad, warming texture. This is one for slow sipping and for drinkers comfortable with spirit-forward cocktails; compared with a Manhattan, it is less wine-like and more directly focused on the base spirit.

StrongSpicyOrange
APPROX. ABV
32%
STRENGTH
5/5
DRINKABILITY
2/5

TASTE PROFILE

How it is likely to feel

Sweetness3
Bitterness2
Sourness0
Strength5
Body4
Drinkability2
Fruity1
Herbal1
Smoky1

CLASSIC STRUCTURE

What is usually in it

50 ml Whiskey

20 ml Modifier

Aromatic bitters

Method
Stir with ice and strain.
Glass
Coupe or Old Fashioned
Garnish
House garnish
Recipes and serving sizes vary by bar. ABV is an approximate guide.

PAIRING DIRECTIONS

Useful places to start

01Steak
02Smoked meats
03Dark chocolate

Pairing suggestions are directions, not fixed rules. Sauce, seasoning and serving temperature can change the result.

UNDERSTAND THE STYLE

Read the guide, then compare the drink

Cocktail basicsHow to choose a cocktail when the menu tells you almost nothing→Cocktail basicsCocktail families, made useful rather than complicated→TasteSweet, sour, bitter and strong are not the same question→

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