Just as Ina has her signature Cosmos, I have my Old Fashioneds! Whether out at a restaurant or drinking at home, an Old Fashioned is my drink of choice during the cold winter months. It’s a warming, fortifying drink that, for me, is a whole mood: While I’m more often than not enjoying them at home, just the mention of the drink conjures images of a dimly lit restaurant, a roaring fireplace, and relaxed conversation as we stave off the bitter cold with another round.
My friend Robby introduced me to his version a couple of years ago, and it’s been my go-to recipe ever since. While the traditional method calls for muddling a sugar cube, I much prefer using turbinado (Sugar in the Raw) simple syrup for added depth.
The recipe is beautifully straightforward: combine the syrup with Rittenhouse Rye and several dashes of orange bitters, add a large ice cube, and stir until the glass feels cool to the touch.
You then finish with a squeeze of orange zest, that’s rubbed around the rim and three Luxardo cherries. For those of you who don’t like neon red maraschino cherries, Luxardo will be a game-changer for you – though feel free to skip both the cherries and orange zest if you don’t have them on hand.
And if Ina’s taught me anything, it’s the joy of batched cocktails – so I’ve included instructions for making these for a crowd!
Cheers!
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Robby’s Old Fashioned
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rye whisky, such as Rittenhouse Rye
- 1/2 ounce turbinado simple sugar, instructions below
- 3 dashes orange bitters, such as Reagan’s
- 1 large ice cube
- 1 strip of orange zest
- 3 Luxardo cherries
Turbinado simple syrup:
- 1/2 cup turbinado sugar, such as Sugar in the Raw
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
To make turbinado simple syrup:
For simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup turbinado sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from heat and cool completely before using.
To make drink:
Combine 2 ounces rye whisky, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, and 3 dashes orange bitters in an old fashioned glass. Add 1 large ice cube and gently stir until the glass is cool to the touch. Squeeze 1 strip of orange zest over the drink, rub the rim with the zest, and drop it into the drink. Garnish with 3 Luxardo cherries.
Notes
TO MAKE A BATCHED OLD FASHIONED
Serving Size: 6
Ingredients
3/4 cups rye whisky, such as Rittenhouse Rye
3 ounces turbinado simple sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons orange bitters, such as Reagan’s
1/4 cup cold water
6 large ice cube
6 strips orange zest
18 Luxardo Cherries
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine 3/4 cup rye whisky, 3 ounces turbinado simple sugar, 2 1/4 teaspoons orange bitters, and 1/4 cup cold water in a large pitcher. Stir and refrigerate.
When ready to serve, stir the mixture for 30 seconds. Add one large ice cube to each of the 6 old fashioned glasses and evenly distribute the drink – about 3 oz per glass. Squeeze a strip of orange zest over each drink, rub the rim with the zest, and drop into drink. Garnish each with 3 Luxardo cherries.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Alcoholic Drinks
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MORE RECIPES CAN BE FOUND HERE.
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