The other night I was hankering for a classic Old-Fashioned… but I didn’t have any simple syrup readily on hand. What to do? Fortunately, the Old-Fashioned is a simple drink the basic recipe of which defines the term ‘cocktail’.
The first published definition of the Cocktail appeared in an editorial response in The Balance and Columbian Repository of 1806. This read: “Cocktail is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.” It is this definition of ingredients that we continue to use when referring to the ‘ideal’ cocktail. The simplicity of this recipe is also what makes mixology fun, as you can easily adjust or modify this basic formula to make your own ‘ideal’ drink.
So with that understanding, I did some mixology improv and created my favorite ‘new’ Old-Fashioned. I simply replaced the simple syrup with juice from the jar of my Luxardo maraschino cherries. That’s it. Two ounces of Dickel Rye, two dashes of Angostura bitters, one teaspoon of Luxardo cherry juice, served over a block of ice and garnished with maraschino cherries. Delicious.
Of course there are so many other ways to customize your Old-Fashioned. Sometimes I simply replace the Angostura bitters with Fee Brother’s Aztec Chocolate bitters. I find that this goes best when you are making a bourbon Old-Fashioned. The chocolate compliments the bourbon and gives the drink a whole new flavor dimension. Other times I will add two dashes of Plum, Cranberry or Orange bitters to the classic recipe which gives the drink a little more of the fruit flavor you might find if you’re familiar with the typical Wisconsin presentation of this drink (where fruit is muddled directly into the cocktail).
My favorite improv Old-Fashioned is one which I made with my Dad while on a Canadian fishing trip. He, my son and I booked a cabin on a remote lake. To get there you flew in on a float plane whereupon the owners dropped you, your gear and your groceries off and then they picked you up several days later. In our grocery list we had forgotten one important ingredient, sugar. We specified bourbon and I brought a small bottle of bitters with me, but sugar and or mixers was not on the list. Without going into all the detail, we had a great time with several memorable moments. One of which is this drink:
Fish Camp Old-Fashioned
In a glass add bourbon or rye, two dashes of bitters and one spoonful of blackberry jam. Mix thoroughly until the jam dissolves. Add ice, garnish with whatever you have on hand. Deal a hand of cards and proceed to tell everyone about that really big Northern Pike that just got away. Take a sip and compliment yourself on what a great cocktail you made.
Pyrate Bar 