Unveiling the Secrets to Crafting the Perfect Old Fashioned

I don’t know about you, but this was one of those drinks I couldn’t stand at 21… or even 22. But as I’ve gotten older and developed a better appreciation for liquor and wine, it’s become one of my go-to drinks to sip on with dinner.

Today, we’re going to go over why I love making an Old Fashioned—and some tips for those who want to make it at home.

And if you’ve been making the same Old Fashioned for the last 30 years… you might want to stick around anyway.

What is an Old Fashioned?

The Old Fashioned is a drink that can lean sweet, bitter, or even a little “spicy.” It’s simple, classic, and if done right—visually beautiful.

At its core, it starts with bourbon. This part is all about preference. There are countless brands and flavor profiles, so go with what you know and what you like. At the end of the day, the goal is simple: you should enjoy drinking it.

Once you’ve chosen your bourbon, it’s time to grab a few more ingredients.

First: Luxardo cherries. They’re dark, rich, and absolutely delicious—and for some reason, they cost an arm and a leg. If you’ve got a cheaper plug… let me know, because they’re breaking my bank.

Next: bitters. You’ll want Angostura aromatic bitters, orange bitters, and cacao bitters. Yes, three different bottles—and I promise, there’s a reason for it.

As for sugar, you can grab sugar cubes if you want, but my method doesn’t require any additional sugar. If you prefer a more traditional route, go for it.

So at this point, you should have:

• Bourbon

• Bitters (aromatic, orange, cacao)

• Luxardo cherries

• An orange

Let’s Craft This

Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to build an Old Fashioned. You can either look like you know what you’re doing… or not.

We’re going to use a shaker or, preferably, a double-walled tin.

Start with:

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• 2 dashes of orange bitters

If you want a slightly dessert-style twist, swap the orange bitters for cacao bitters.

Next, open up those Luxardo cherries (try not to eat too many). Add about 0.25 oz of cherry juice.

Here’s where you can customize:

• Like a stronger bourbon-forward drink? Stick with 0.25 oz

• Want it a little smoother and sweeter? Go up to 0.5 oz

No muddling, no extra steps—we’re keeping it clean and efficient.

Now add ice to your tin and stir for about 20–30 seconds. If you’re using a double-walled tin, it’ll chill quickly, which is exactly what we want. The goal is to properly chill and combine everything without over-diluting the drink.

Drink Up!!

Now for the finishing touches.

Grab a rocks glass and drop in a large ice cube (I’m assuming you’ve got one ready in the freezer). Strain your cocktail over the ice and take a second to admire that rich, bold color.

Garnish:

• Spear a Luxardo cherry

• Peel a strip of orange zest

Express the orange peel over the drink, rub it around the rim, and drop it in.

Final Thoughts

Boom. In my opinion, that’s what an Old Fashioned should be.

I say that confidently because I’ve had plenty of guests compliment this exact build. Sure, there are a hundred different ways to make this drink—but sometimes, simple is better.

The cherry juice adds just enough sweetness to balance the bourbon, while the combination of aromatic and orange bitters elevates the overall flavor. It’s smooth, bold, and just complex enough to keep you coming back for another sip—without making you pucker every time.

As always, if you try this recipe and enjoy it, leave a comment or tag “The Tipsy Palm” on Instagram.

Experiment with it. Try different ratios, different bourbons, different bitters. You’ll be surprised at what people come up with.

Until next time—

Cheers,The Tipsy Palm