Cocktailia

Old Fashioned

• 1 raw sugar cube
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 ounces bourbon
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

In an old-fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube with the bitters and a few drops of water. Add ice, top with the bourbon, and stir well. Substitute 1 teaspoon of raw sugar if you don’t have cubes.

I prefer brandied cherries when I have them on hand, and Luxardo cherries when I don’t.

There are many, many ways to make the Old Fashioned, and people will argue endlessly about which is the original. Some people use rye whiskey instead of bourbon, some people muddle a cherry and orange slice with the sugar and bitters, some add club soda on top (yuck). I don’t mind a bit of muddled orange occasionally but often just use orange bitters with the recipe you see here instead.

I’ve had more bad Old Fashioneds than I have any other single drink, so order them with caution. If in doubt, get something else.