3 Batched Old Fashioned Recipes to Master at Home (2024)

I have long held the belief that theOld Fashioned is truly the window into the bartender’s soul. The manner in which bartenders approaches this classic recipe can reveal their preferences and philosophies, not only to this one co*cktail, but to drink-making as a whole. Does the bartender reach for the bourbon automatically, or does he/she instinctively grab the closet bottle of rye?

Perhaps, your favorite bartender even chooses to ignore whiskey altogether, and instead opts for brandy or rum. But why stop there? After all, any co*cktail lover who has never experienced the elegance of a beautifully craftedTequila Old Fashioned is truly missing out.

Simply deciding the spirit of choiceor spirits for those feeling adventurouson which to base an Old Fashioned opens the door to an endless array of imbibing opportunities.

Although the Old Fashioned has long been defined as consisting of only four ingredients ... those few constituents do not limit its possibilities.

Although the Old Fashioned has long been defined as consisting of only four ingredientsbitters, spirit and sugar, plus water added from ice dilutionthose few constituents do notlimit its possibilities. If anything, these parameters are what open it up to endless variation because once a bartender understands the roles of those ingredients, it becomes quite simple to create a bespoke version.

As expected, the spirit serves as the recipe's bedrock, but just like a world-class actor stuck reading from a shoddy script, the talent of the spirit can only carry the drink so far, particularly if the other ingredients are out of sync. Too much sugar and the drink can become cloying. Likewise, too light on the bitters and the co*cktail can taste bland, similar to a plate of French fries prepared with no salt.

Yet, even if the first three components are balanced, there is a still a chance that the level of dilution can muck it up. Every well-trained bartender knows that not enough water in an Old Fashioned can leave the co*cktail a little too tight, and stingy with its appeal. On the other hand, too much water will leave the drink feeling wimpy and structure-less. But of these two options, I will always pick the former because when served over ice, an under diluted co*cktail will eventually open up, but an over diluted co*cktail is ruined forever.

Despite its seemingly simplicity, there's still plenty of margin for error in crafting an Old Fashioned. But pre-batching this drink before an evening of entertaining is one way to cut down on variables that could go wrong, like lack of consistency.

BATCHED OLD FASHIONED RECIPES

Below are three recipes for mastering the Old Fashioned in bulk. Each formula will produce fifteen co*cktails, but depending on the size of the group, the recipe can scale up or down quite easy with a little bit of math. Also, don’t worry about making too much, as the drink will last indefinitely if kept capped in the fridge. And if you prefer an extra cold libation, simply pop the pre-batched co*cktail in the freezer an hour or two before guests arrive.

Once you get the hang of these, don't be shy about playing a game of mix and match with a variety of spirits,bitters andsugars. Aged rum withBoker’s Bitters and muscovado simple syrup could be sublime, but you won’t know until you try it, right? Also, certain spirit brands might require more or less sugar depending on proof, time in the barrel and other factors.

3 Batched Old Fashioned Recipes to Master at Home (1)

BOURBON OLD FASHIONED
An American classic.

7 1/2 ounces water
3/4 ounce Angostura Bitters
2 1/2 ouncessimple syrup (feel free to increase or reduce slightly depending on your sweetness preference)
30 ounces bourbon

Add all ingredients to large pitcher and stir to combine. Cover and store in fridge. To serve, pour over ice and garnish with a lemon twist.

Photo by Gabe Fonseca

3 Batched Old Fashioned Recipes to Master at Home (2)

AMERICAN TRILOGY
Created by Mickey McIlroy ofAttaboy, NYC

1/2 ounce water
3/4 ounce orange bitters
2 1/2 ounces brown sugar simple syrup* (feel free to increase or reduce slightly depending on your preferences)
15 ounces rye whiskey
15 ounces apple brandy

Add all ingredients to large pitcher and stir to combine. Cover and store in fridge. To serve, pour over ice and garnish with an orange twist.

*Prepared with one part brown sugar to one part water.

Photo by Gabe Fonseca

3 Batched Old Fashioned Recipes to Master at Home (3)

BITTERED SLING
Circa late 1700s/early 1800s

7 1/2 ounces water
3/4 ounce Angostura Bitters
2 1/2 ouncessimple syrup (feel free to increase or reduce slightly depending on the sweetness of the whiskey)
30 ounces Cognac or Armagnac

Add all ingredients to large pitcher and stir to combine. Funnel into labeled bottles.To serve, pour over ice and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Photo by Erick Castro

3 Batched Old Fashioned Recipes to Master at Home (2024)

FAQs

Can Old Fashioned be made in bulk? ›

Old Fashioned co*cktails, made with bourbon or rye, are great for making a big batch in advance of a party, so they're perfect for fall or winter gatherings.

How long will batch Old Fashioned last? ›

Spirit-forward co*cktails with vermouth, like a Manhattan or Negroni, can last up to a month stored in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container. Other spirit-forward co*cktails, like an old fashioned, can last indefinitely when properly stored in the fridge or freezer.

Can you make Old Fashioned in advance? ›

Batch making your co*cktails BEFORE the party is the way to go. Here's how to turn one bottle of whiskey into easy drinks for everyone at your next party.

What is the difference between Old Fashioned and Old Fashioned? ›

And without the hyphen? Neither! Never! Not “old fashion,” not “old fashioned.” When we combine two words to use as an adjective, we hyphenate.

What is a double Old Fashioned? ›

Old fashioned glasses usually hold 180–300 ml (6–10 US fl oz). A double old fashioned glass (sometimes referred to by retailers as a DOF glass) holds 350–470 ml (12–16 US fl oz).

Is bourbon or whiskey better for Old Fashioned? ›

Consequently, some traditionalists insist an Old-Fashioned should be made with rye, but bourbon is equally correct and the choice of whiskey should be entirely up to the personal taste of the drinker. Bourbon makes a mellow, slightly sweeter drink, while rye adds more spice and kick.

What is the best alcohol to make an Old Fashioned with? ›

With that said, bourbon is often the go-to whiskey choice for an Old Fashioned. The relatively heavy body of the mostly corn-based spirit creates structure within the co*cktail, and its natural sweetness helps counterbalance the more astringent elements of bitters.

How to make large quantities of co*cktails? ›

If you plan ahead, manually adding water a batch of co*cktails is the most reliable way to manage dilution without shaking or stirring. Add about 20% water to the volume of the entire batch, or ¾ oz per serving. So if you're making a gallon of punch, you'll want to add about three cups of water.

Should Old Fashioned be refrigerated? ›

Once opened, Old Fashioned mix should be refrigerated. At that point, it can last about a month.

How many times should an Old Fashioned be stirred? ›

Chocolate or walnut bitters work well in this drink if you can find them. I also like Dale DeGroff's pimento bitters. Technique: The most balanced Old Fashioned is made by stirring the drink with ice for about 20 to 30 seconds and then straining that mix over fresh ice. Garnish: Orange twist, lemon twist, or both.

What are the best bitters for an Old Fashioned? ›

What are the best bitters for an Old Fashioned?
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters.
  • Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters.
  • Fee Brothers Orange Bitters.

How much ice should be in an Old Fashioned? ›

Instructions. Dissolve or muddle sugar with bitters and a splash of Maker's® in an Old Fashioned glass. Fill glass 3/4 full of ice.

Why do you put bitters in an Old Fashioned? ›

They are mostly used to add depth and complexity to co*cktails, enhancing the overall flavor profile and creating a more well-rounded drink.

What is the plural of Old Fashioned recipe? ›

Just adding an “s” at the end should do it… a couple old fashioneds, bloody marys, tequila sunrises, dark and stormys, etc.

How to be more Old Fashioned? ›

How to Live an Old Fashioned Life
  1. Live simply. This is probably the most, well, simple thing on my list. ...
  2. Practice old-fashioned values. ...
  3. Be as self-sufficient as you can. ...
  4. Give others your time. ...
  5. Go outside. ...
  6. Work hard. ...
  7. Manage your time.
Jun 5, 2015

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