The Old Fashioned
Alexis TaoufiqThe first definition of the word cocktail was in May 1806 in "The Balance and the Columbian Repository", the newspaper of the town of Hudson in the State of New York. At that time, the term designated a drink composed of a spirit of any kind, sugar, water and bitters: in other words an Old Fashioned.
For this cocktail we are on a balance of bitter sugar unlike the acidic sugar found in most cocktails.
Although the Old Fashioned is usually made with bourbon, this family of cocktails can be made with most spirits, preferably brown, such as: Amber Rum, Tequila, Cognac, Armagnac or Applebrandy.
There are different ways to make an Old Fashioned: with a sugar cube, sugar syrup, crushed fruit, etc.
Here is a simple version to make that will definitely appeal to you!
INGREDIENTS
Pour directly into an old fashioned glass (it is not necessary to use a mixing glass.)
- A teaspoon of sugar syrup
- 2 oz (60ml) brandy (of your choice)
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
METHOD OF PREPARATION
The Old Fashioned is made directly in the glass, there is no need to use a mixing glass.
- Start by adding the sugar to your “old fashioned” glass.
- Add 3 ice cubes
- Pour in the bitters, i.e. 3 dashes of Angostura
- Then pour in half of the brandy (1 oz or 30ml)
- Mix a first time using a mixing spoon
- Top off your glass with ice
- Finally add the rest of the brandy
- Mix a second time
- Decorate with a squeezed zest
PRO TIP:
I am thus giving you a preparation method aimed at adding a perfect dilution to your cocktail. Indeed, the Old Fashioned is made up almost exclusively of alcohol, it is therefore necessary to obtain a sufficient dilution of the ice in order to obtain a fresh cocktail that is easy to enjoy by the greatest number. You will also note that this type of dilution allows an evolution of the flavors and aromas of the cocktail over time, throughout your tasting.