The Old Fashioned: A Short History
The Old Fashioned first came to be in the early 1800’s and it is popularly regarded to be among the first cocktail drinks in the world. It evolved from the earliest definition of a cocktail which was a mix of liquor, sugar, water, and some kind of bitter. Such great simplicity is how the Old Fashioned was derived.By the middle of the 19th century, more and more names were being coined to define the drink but its’ character remained similar. An Old Fashioned time in history is said to be around the last decade of the 1800s and is deemed as the most simple and boring, allowing patrons to order dry martinis without frills. When requesting for a drink in any bar, patrons would tell the bartender to make it in the same way they used to, requesting for Old Fashioned value.
The Old Fashioned became very culled during the Prohibition’s fastest growing period, as the drink represented a nostalgic period known for simplicity and laissez faire. With time, this drink became more and more known until it became a crucial part of cocktail culture.
The analysis of the drink paired with recommendations, reveals how important the Old Fashioned truly is and the elements it is comprised of.
The Components of the Old Fashioned
To ensure the Old Fashioned was made exactly how it tastes to most, the ingredients had to be picked carefully. One of the big things with cocktails is how easy they are to make, and with ease there comes very little room for basic mistakes. Aspects one would need to line up for it to work out in the end include:1. Whiskey
The backbone of the cocktail. Depending on the style of whiskey used, Bourbon or Rye Whiskey, there can be very different outcomes, due to their different textures and tastes. Another thing to note would be that my preference is on high quality bourbons that are twice as strong as rye whiskey, and have a richer and sweeter taste over which is mostly robust.2. Sugar
The Old Fashioned sweetness usually comes from sugar, most commonly from a sugar cube or simple syrup. Which or how both is chosen is up to the consumer. A sugar cube contributes a mildly grainy texture and a roughness while simple syrup increases sweetness and makes it smoother and consistent. This addition of sweetness no matter the form is supposed to be moderate so it acts as a complementary to the whiskey and its aroma rather than overwhelming its taste.3. Bitters
Old fashioned bitters is the one key ingredient which contributes not only towards enhancing but also improving and broadening the depth of the drink. The commonly used ones are angostura, which has a spicy and bitter herbal scent. To make the cocktail interesting only a few drops are enough.4. Water
Water as commonly perceived, is an important sub-component since the order of preparation adds up all the things that are involved in Old Fashioned drinks. The drink as a whole is slightly diluted, making it easier on the taste buds, and properly blending all the different flavors together. All this water usually is included from the melting of ice, so the type of ice used is essential.5. Garnish
As the saying goes a peel of orange is the favored garnish in the Old Fashioned drink which does increase the smell and aroma in the drink quite too well, alongside adding its bright color to the drink. Other varieties include adding a cherry which some accept whereas the hardcore followers like to keep things plain and simple with none at all.Steps to Make the Old Fashioned
Old Fashioned as they say is an easy cocktail tea to make, but for many it is an artistic touch over the glass. It’s a painstakingly thorough detailed work. Old Fashioned cocktail has garnered attention not only because of its unique taste but, also because of the way it is prepared. An ancient cocktail probably from the 1800s Old Old Fashioned is prepared by infusing each ingredient along with sugar and aromatic bitters.Begin by placing a standard to thick Old Fashioned or a rocks glass along with a sugar cube and a few dashes of bitter. This is where the muddler comes into play as it helps in mixing and balancing the ingredients perfectly. The sugar cube will need to be mixed with the bitters until it creates a wide paste once you have muddled both together.
We can add a tsp of water to it, this process fills in all the gaps in the other ingredient and balances the sweetness. Once you begin to swirl the glass all the ingredients will start merging and incorporating altogether.
Once the sugar and bitters are tossed together, now it’s the whiskey’s time to shine. Two ounces of your favorite spirit along with the sugar mix then needs a couple of stirs and the drink is ready to be served. Good start indeed!
Ice is an important ingredient for the Old Fashioned since it determines both the dilution and the temperature of the beverage. One big ice cube or one big ice ball would do, due to the reason that these maintain the flavor profile of the drink since they melt slower. Ice should be added to the cocktail glass as well and stirred to make sure that the mix is well chilled.
At last, work on the garnish. To make the garnish, peel the skin of an orange creating a small strip while making sure not to include the furry white skin on the inside. Twist the peel gently over the glass to squeeze the oils out and pour what solid substance is present into the glass. Brush the rim of the empty glass with what oils are left on the peel of the orange afterwards dropping the peel into the drink.
The Importance of Balance
One of the aspects required for the Old Fashioned to be perfected is balance. That is why, when making a drink, one has to pour cognac, whiskey and bitters, as each ingredient serves a place and has to be poured into the mixture in the right proportions. Adding in too much sugar on the other hand would ruin the taste of the whiskey, and making the amount less than desired would make it feel raw. In terms of flavor, bitters should compliment the concoction and not take over the show, as for the water, it should slightly widen the flavors, without washing the original out.Balance does not solely rest on the ingredients but rather overall experience of the cocktail. One is not to slurp but sip an Old Fashioned as this drink has to be appreciated for what it is, complexity at its best. A bit of care in preparation goes a long way and a cocktail does not just become a drink but a ritual in its own way.
Experimenting With The Old Fashioned
The traditional Old Fashioned is a drink that has set the bars high, but it also has many variants that people may like. There are plenty of flavors that can be added including sweeteners, chocolate, or citrus for example. Bartenders have also been known to use orange bitters as well.Another beautiful thing about the Old Fashioned is its adaptability; it goes well with almost any whisky. If an individual wants some smokiness and a kick then Scotch is the right choice, while for freshness and smoothness, Irish whiskey will do just fine. Every alternative adds a new touch to the drink and provides the evolution this cocktail fits right into.
How do you enjoy it or what does your taste buds want, even garnishes have that answer with our elderflower champagne cocktail we have a lemon twist which is sharp and smells great, a cherry is added for sweetness. What a surge of flavors no? It goes to show how versatile the Old Fashioned really is.
The Old Fashioned has been and continues to be a great cocktail that anyone can ever make. By mastering the balance of flavors and the right amount of ingredients, it is possible to both respect the classic history of the drink while giving it a slight twist.
