Shaken Old Fashioned

My guy and I have became fans of classic Old Fashioneds when we’re out enjoying a drink. He loves whiskey (and whisky – learn the difference between whisky and whiskey here) in all its many forms. I really like it in a mixed drink and now, after years of baby steps, on its own. Until we discovered a Shaken Old Fashioned, however, we could never get it just right at home.

Shaken Old Fashioned

The classic Old Fashioned has long been the happy meeting ground between whiskey lovers and those just learning to get into the spirit.

We tried to make them a few times at home and had trouble getting the sugar to truly dissolve in the drink. My husband didn’t care, but I need that sweetness to sip on my whiskey libation without cringing.

Luckily he figured out a trick, so I can enjoy the classic, easy libation at home too!

He came up with this easy homemade recipe for a shaken old fashioned – just shake the (very few) ingredients in a cocktail shaker to get the sugar to truly dissolve into the drink. I couldn’t be happier!

We served these for New Years and with our new found source of oranges from our friends’ tree. Now we can’t get enough of making them for a weekend evening together.

Ingredients in Old Fashioneds

Since this cocktail is so whisky-forward, select a good whisky. No Old Fashioned is going to hit the spot like one made with a quality spirit. Beyond that you’ll need the bitters, an orange, sugar cubes, ice, and water.

As for the equipment? It’s not too fancy actually. We use a cocktail shaker, but you can easily mix cocktails in a jar with a very tight, sealed lid.

We also have a jigger to measure the alcohol, but I provided the measurement in tablespoons, so you just need the basic measuring spoons for that. 

Finally a muddler to make sure the sugar is broken up nicely. You could likely use a wooden spoon to get the job done, however!

And if you really want to look fancy – lowball glasses (I personally am obsessed with these right now) and sphere ice molds or cube ice molds.

But honestly, any glass with ice will be just fine!

Shaken Old Fashioned Ingredients

As mentioned above, there really aren’t many ingredients in this drink – whisky (or Scotch!), bitters, sugar, water, and an orange peel. I’ll even let you count the water, making this a five ingredient recipe!

The trick to getting it to taste like one seamless flavor is the cocktail shaker. It may seem a bit over the top, but considering how easy it is – it isn’t really!

History of the Old Fashioned

In our research, we learned a few fun facts to spark conversation at your next happy hour.

First, the name “Old Fashioned” in the late 19th century referred to how drinks used to be made – alas the ‘old fashioned way’ with just whiskey, bitters, and a dash of water.

And why the water? Because cocktails were a morning drink and the water was needed to dilute the mix enough for your first swig of the day. Isn’t that crazy?

This is still my evening drink and probably will never be on my breakfast table, but here’s to history, right?! There are more fun facts from Esquire to keep that conversation going.

Inspired Old Fashioneds

While an old fashioned may be a common order and a truly historic sip, there are a number of inspired drinks based off of the original.

We’ve tried a number at happy hours that have a cherry and/or cherry syrup. We think that tastes like cough syrup but I’m sure some people love the added sweetness.

David Lebovitz has a recipe for a brown butter old fashioned. It sounds a little indulgent, but I believe in the power of butter and I believe in the power of David Lebovitz, so I might have to give it a try one day!

When I heard of a high fashioned cocktail – yet another take – I was immediately intrigued. And then I was soon disappointed when I learned it was gin-based with grapefruit juice – two of my flavor enemies.

I’m not saying I wouldn’t try it, but I won’t be making it at home anytime soon!

Love whiskey, whisky, and bourbon? Try this rhubarb whiskey cocktail, this fruity Irish whiskey cocktail, and a classic whiskey and orange juice libation taken to the next lever with rosemary simple syrup!

Other cocktails? Try citrus picnic punch (a make ahead cocktail), this fall vodka cocktail, any one of these delicious sangria recipes, or this orange turmeric spritzer cocktail.

And check out these sustainable alcohol brands so you can feel good about all your tasty libations!