# The Majestic Old Fashioned Cocktail **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 25, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419 "2014-08-25T00:40:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/1 "2014-08-25T00:40:59Z")
If you get the proportions correct (true for any cocktail) it is so awesome: 3 oz. bourbon 2 tbls simple syrup 2 or 3 or 4 shake of bitters mashed orange peel well iced oh, so good. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/2 "2014-08-25T00:58:41Z")
Less simple syrup, and more cherries. Or eschew the simple altogether and use Luxardo instead. And juuuust a little bit of club soda to top it off. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/3 "2014-08-25T01:03:57Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Less simple syrup, and more cherries. Or eschew the simple altogether and use Luxardo instead. And juuuust a little bit of club soda to top it off.! That sounds good. Will try it! ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/4 "2014-08-25T01:36:02Z")
I think the club soda is a huge disservice to the world’s best drink, but everyone has their own taste. If you don’t happen to have fresh oranges laying around, you can make do with a squeeze of lemon juice (even from one of those fake plastic lemon things if you wish). Obviously, fresh fruit is better, but hey - if you’re going to mix this in a plastic cup, don’t be picky. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/5 "2014-08-25T01:43:33Z")
Yes, please. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/6 "2014-08-25T02:20:38Z")
I luuurve the Old Fashioned. I like a little less sweetener than **K364**. I usually just put a pinch or two of granulated sugar in the glass and muddle it with a slice of orange. I also like to go a little heavy on the bitters. A good rye Old Fashioned is my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/7 "2014-08-25T02:28:49Z")
Ive had the following in my bookmarks for years now: [http://www.drinkboy.com/Cocktails/Recipe.aspx?itemid=121](http://www.drinkboy.com/Cocktails/Recipe.aspx?itemid=121) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oEr7ym4-r5I/hqdefault.jpg "New Orleans Best Cocktails: The Old Fashioned") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEr7ym4-r5I) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/jkBoXXyEhLs/hqdefault.jpg "NYMag.com: Make PDT's Bacon-Infused Old-fashioned") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkBoXXyEhLs) ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/8 "2014-08-25T02:33:19Z")
[It’s the only way to fly!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i415QwSj0Og) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/9 "2014-08-25T03:02:43Z")
According to David Wondrich, it’s an “old fashioned” because it’s a reaction to the new-fangled cocktails and drinks that were being developed in the 1870s. His version, published in “Imbibe!”, but originally from George J. Kappeler’s “Modern American Drinks” (NY, 1895) is as follows: Dissolve a small lump(1/2 tsp) of sugar with a little(1/2 tsp) water in a whiskey-glass; add two dashes Angostura bitters, a small piece of ice, a piece of lemon peel, one jigger (2 oz) whiskey. Mix with a small barspoon and serve, leaving spoon in the glass. The notes say that pretty much it can be made with whiskey, brandy, Holland gin (Dutch Genever) and Old Tom gin. He also says that “a small piece of ice” translates into 3-4 home ice cubes. So anything with club soda, or too much fruit is some sort of new-fangled version apparently. That said, Dale DeGroff has a pretty good version in “Craft of the Cocktail” that’s full of fruit, and is pretty good as well. 1 tsp sugar 2 dashes Angostura bitters 2 orange slices 2 maraschino cherries (pref. the Luxardo kind) water or soda water 2 oz bourbon In the bottom of an old-fashioned glass, muddle the sugar, bitters, one orange slice, one cherry and a splash of water or soda. Remove the orange rind and add the bourbon, ice and water or soda. Garnish with the remaining cherry and orange slice. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/10 "2014-08-25T03:12:11Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > If you don’t happen to have fresh oranges laying around, you can make do with a squeeze of lemon juice (even from one of those fake plastic lemon things if you wish). Obviously, fresh fruit is better, but hey - if you’re going to mix this in a plastic cup, don’t be picky. After about three you don’t care anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/11 "2014-08-25T11:39:26Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I think the club soda is a huge disservice to the world’s best drink, but everyone has their own taste. It’s good without the bit of fizz, but to me, at least, the drink is better with a splash of something. Otherwise it’s a stiff, serious drink. That’s not a bad thing, but most of the time I’m up for something a bit more festive. > [@](#): > > If you don’t happen to have fresh oranges laying around, you can make do with a squeeze of lemon juice (even from one of those fake plastic lemon things if you wish). Obviously, fresh fruit is better, but hey - if you’re going to mix this in a plastic cup, don’t be picky. Lemon? Not in my Old Fashioned. Hell, I won’t make 'em if I don’t have oranges or tangerines and cherries. Fake plastic lemon? I don’t allow those in my house. > [@bump](#): > > 2 maraschino cherries (pref. the Luxardo kind) Personally, I don’t think the Luxardo cherries are good in an Old Fashioned. They don’t mash the way the standard maraschinos do, and they’re just a bit off. I know everyone is all gah-gah over them, but Mr. Athena and I did extensive research in this area and we really prefer a sweeter, brighter maraschino in our Old Fashioneds. Bada-Bing is a good choice. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/12 "2014-08-25T12:18:02Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I luuurve the Old Fashioned. I like a little less sweetener than **K364**. I usually just put a pinch or two of granulated sugar in the glass and muddle it with a slice of orange. I also like to go a little heavy on the bitters. A good rye Old Fashioned is my favorite. ^^This is my philosophy too. Sometimes I do lemon with orange and cherry…there is a very fuzzy line between Old-Fashioned and Sidecar in my house, and that’s the way I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/13 "2014-08-25T12:23:59Z")
I rarely actually mix Old Fashioneds myself - I prefer to just drink my whiskey unmixed on the rocks. When I do make one, I make it in a rather plain, old-fashioned if you will, manner; - A teaspoon or so of sugar - Enough bitters to dampen all the sugar - Just enough water to stir and dissolve the sugar - Toss a maraschino cherry or two in for good luck - Add ice to the top of the glass - Add whiskey to the top of the ice - Stir and consume ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-majestic-old-fashioned-cocktail/696419/14 "2014-08-25T12:46:08Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I rarely actually mix Old Fashioneds myself - I prefer to just drink my whiskey unmixed on the rocks. When I do make one, I make it in a rather plain, old-fashioned if you will, manner; I prefer my whiskey straight as well, but I do make Old Fashioneds for my sister in law that are closer to your recipe than any of the others offered so far (no citrus, like yours, but I muddle the sugar in water). She says she likes mine more than other versions. As far as cocktails go, it’s one that benefits a lot from using good liquor.