Rye Whisky Old Fashioned

This recipe is derived from the original recipes for a whiskey “cocktail” dating back to the early 1800s. Although the term “old fashioned” did not first appear until the 1880s, the earlier recipes for a whiskey cocktail constitute what we today call an Old Fashioned. Notice that orange slices, maraschino cherries and soda water are not found in the recipe.

½ tsp sugar
1 tsp water
3 dashes bitters (I prefer Peychaud’s, but Angostura may be used)
1 - 2 good sized lemon twists (try to avoid incorporating the bitter white rind of the lemon when peeling or cutting them)
2 oz Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye
6 ice cubes

This goes well in 4 - 6 oz old fashioned tumbler. Mix sugar and water in the tumbler to thoroughly dissolve the sugar (you may substitute 1 tsp simple syrup for the sugar-water solution if you have it on hand). Add bitters, lemon twists and 4 ice cubes. Swirl with a swizzle stick to mix ingredients.

Add 2 oz rye whiskey and mix again, stirring to partially dissolve some of the ice cubes.

Add 2 more ice cubes, stir briefly.

Imbibe America’s original “cocktail.”

Courtesy Larry Kilbourne