Old Fashioned
Whiskey, sugar, bitters — the original cocktail, built in the glass.
Ingredients
| Bourbon or rye whiskey | 2 oz |
| Simple syrup (1:1) | 0.25 oz |
| Angostura bitters | 0.1 oz |
| Total volume | 2.35 oz |
Garnish: Orange peel, cherry
Tip: change “Make” to scale the recipe, or switch units for the metric world.
How to make it
Built in the glass · Easy · about 2 minutes
- 1
Add the bourbon or rye whiskey, simple syrup and angostura bitters to the rocks glass and fill with ice.
- 2
Stir gently to combine.
- 3
Garnish with orange peel, cherry.
Tools you'll need
Making a batch for a party?
Here's a pre-calculated batch of 12 with 0% dilution water built in. Scale to any number with the batch calculator →
| Ingredient | × 12 | Bottles |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon or rye whiskey | 24.0 oz | 1 |
| Simple syrup (1:1) | 3.0 oz | 1 |
| Angostura bitters | 1.2 oz | 1 |
BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.
If you like the Old Fashioned, try…
Whiskey Sour
whiskeyBourbon, lemon, and sweetener — the essential American sour.
Manhattan
whiskeyRye, sweet vermouth, bitters — the stately stirred classic.
Penicillin
whiskeyScotch, lemon, honey-ginger, peaty float — a modern classic.
John Collins
whiskeyThe bourbon-based cousin of the Tom Collins; whiskey, lemon, sugar and soda make a refreshing highball whose spirit base batches easily ahead of soda topping.
Old Fashioned FAQ
What's in a Old Fashioned?
A classic Old Fashioned is made with bourbon or rye whiskey, simple syrup (1:1), angostura bitters. It's built in the glass and served in a rocks glass.
What is the ABV of a Old Fashioned?
A classic Old Fashioned is approximately 40.2% ABV — about 1.58 US standard drinks per serving once you account for dilution.
Should I shake or stir a Old Fashioned?
Neither — the Old Fashioned is built right in the glass, so no shaker or mixing glass is needed.
How do I batch Old Fashioneds for a party?
Scale every ingredient by your guest count, then add no dilution water (built drinks dilute in the glass). The BatchPour batch calculator does the math for any number.