Shake hard and fine strain over fresh ice
Whiskey Sour
Bright lemon, rounded bourbon, and a gently bittersweet finish.
Build over one large cube and stir
Old Fashioned
A measured build of whiskey, bitters, and sugar that rewards a calm stir.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 4 minutes
- Level
- Easy
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Approx. ABV
- 32% · Spirit-forward
- Tradition
- American
- Profile
- Sweet · Bitter · Citrus
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
2 ozBourbonRecommended brandWild Turkey 101
0.25 ozDemerara syrupRecipe specification2:1 demerara sugar to water, by weight
Gently warm 200 g demerara sugar with 100 g water and stir until fully dissolved; do not boil it down. Cool before measuring into the drink. This is a rich syrup: a thinner 1:1 syrup is not an equal-volume substitute. Bottled demerara syrups can have a different concentration or added gum, so check the product specification.
2 dashesAromatic bittersRecommended brandANGOSTURA Aromatic Bitters
1 pieceOrange peelOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Navel Orange
Measured method · one drink
How to make Old Fashioned
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Season the glass
¼ oz syrup · 2 dashes bitters
Pour ¼ oz demerara syrup and 2 dashes aromatic bitters into a chilled rocks glass.
Season the glass visual check - 02
Add the whiskey
2 oz bourbon
Pour 2 oz bourbon into the glass, then add one large ice cube.
Add the whiskey visual check - 03
Stir to chill
Stir · 20 sec
Stir smoothly for 20 seconds, keeping the large ice cube intact.
Stir to chill visual check - 04
Express the orange
1 orange peel
Twist 1 orange peel over the drink, rub it around the rim, and drop it in.
Express the orange visual check
Stir smoothly for 20 seconds, keeping the large ice cube intact.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Express the orange peel over the surface
Technique note
Why this build works
Two ounces of bourbon keep whiskey at the center, while ¼ ounce of demerara syrup rounds its heat without turning the drink into a sweet highball. Two dashes of aromatic bitters add spice and structure in a quantity small enough to support, rather than cover, the base spirit. Stirring integrates the syrup and adds cooling water; taste after the suggested stir, since ice size and starting temperature affect dilution. Expressed orange oil adds aroma at the surface, where it is noticed before each sip.
Common failure points
- The drink tastes syrupy and loses its whiskey character.
- Measure the syrup at ¼ ounce; do not free-pour it.
- The finish is flat even though the ratio is correct.
- Twist a fresh orange peel over the surface and rub it around the rim.
Measure or substitute
Rye can replace bourbon at 2 ounces for a spicier profile. This recipe uses 2:1 demerara syrup by weight. The same volume of 1:1 simple syrup is less sweet and adds more water; start at ¼ ounce and adjust in small measured additions after stirring, rather than assuming an exact swap.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Rocks glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Rocks Glass
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Bourbon
Aromatic bitters
Know the pour
Spirit-forward
A strong, short whiskey drink with modest dilution.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
