It's a classic drink with just 3 ingredients and it's ready in under 5 minutes! This Knob Creek Old Fashioned is our go-to recipe for a tasty bourbon cocktail that is totally easy.
My husband's family's love of the Whiskey Sour at the holidays is how I learned that I enjoy a nice bourbon. Not all are created equal though.
I literally used to think Whiskey Sours were invented to strip the inside of my esophagus and stomach. I was sure I was flammable and would combust if I opened my mouth near open flame.
So when I decided to get my hubby some drink-making supplies one Christmas, and spent a little money on some Bourbon, everything changed.
A few years ago you wouldn't have caught me with a whiskey or bourbon drink in my hand. But now I love them. As evidenced by my Bourbon Mule recipe and Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail.
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Why This Recipe Works
The Knob Creek Old Fashioned is lightly chilled but will warm you up very quickly.
With just a few ingredients plus a garnish, it's quick to make and doesn't require any special skills.
Although it can be an acquired taste to some, it's a classic drink idea that is fun to enjoy with friends and family.
This is a sipping drink. And it's not for everyone. Only the sexy people. Sorry, I slipped into Salt N Peppa. It happens.
It took a little trial and error to find the perfect recipe, but I think we did it. My hubby and I think this is the Best Old Fashioned Recipe to make when we want a yummy cocktail.
It's the perfect fall cocktail as we transition to colder weather.
If you don't usually order whiskey or bourbon when you're out for drinks, I promise that once you find a brand that you really love, this will be on your go-to cocktail list.
Also, try my Pine Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe! It's perfect for all your Christmas parties! Since you have a bottle of bourbon you'll also want to make my delicious Bourbon Cake! You will dream about it.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
I used Knob Creek bourbon for this cocktail but you can use whatever you have on hand.
Since this drink is mostly made up of bourbon it needs to be a flavor you enjoy. If you haven't found a favorite brand yet, (Knob Creek is great, duh) but you should also buy the mini-bar-sized bottles from a variety of brands to try out.
You can use whiskey or bourbon. They are basically the same thing.
With this large box of sugar cubes, you can use them for quick champagne cocktails too. They also look cute when offering guests coffee or tea. They won't go to waste!
Bitters is an ingredient that all home bars should have. And orange and bourbon pair really well and it really does enhance this drink. Don't skip it!
How to Make an Old Fashioned on the Rocks
Place a sugar cube in your glass and add a few drops of bitters.
Add a splash of whiskey, then muddle until the sugar cube has dissolved.
Add a big old piece of ice. You want big ice when you are dealing with sipping liquor because it will chill it, without watering it down as it melts. And it looks freaking cool.
Add the rest of your liquor, give it a stir if the huge ass ice-cube will allow.
Take the piece of orange peel and fold it in half longways. Give it a squeeze over the drink. There won't be juice but a mist of oils that will be a nice touch when bringing the drink to your nose.
Then take the peel side and rub it on the rim of the glass all the way around.
Finally, drop the garnish in the drink.
There you have it. The best Knob Creek Old Fashioned recipe. Sip responsibly.
Tips
- If you don't have white sugar cubes, you can still make this drink. You can use ½ teaspoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon water and 3 dashes bitters.
- I used a demerara sugar cube since it's all I had. No need to buy a full box of white ones if you already have something else on hand.
- You could also use my cheater simple syrup method instead if you prefer. I would make the syrup then use 1 teaspoon of it in the cocktail.
- Once know how to make an Old Fashioned, you can modify it to try a variety of differnt types. You can use tequila instead of the bourbon. Or you can add more flavors like fresh berries or even cinnamon.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like to try a variety of spirits and since my husband loves bourbon, we have several bottles to grab at home. I always think the best is whatever you already have. But if you need to buy a new bottle, go for something mid-priced. Knob Creek is tasty, affordable and is a decent brand of bourbon.
An Old Fashioned, as noted above is sugar, bitters, and bourbon. A Manhattan skips the sugar in favor of vermouth. It will have a slightly different flavor but is pretty dang similar.
Images by Dez and Tam Photography
Related Recipes
- Fireball Old Fashioned
- Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
- Bourbon Mule
- 30 Christmas Bourbon Cocktails
- Apple Bourbon Cocktail
- Non-Dairy Bourbon Milk Punch
- Bourbon Champagne Cocktail
Knob Creek Old Fashioned
Ingredients
Instructions
- In an Old Fashioned glass add sugar cube, bitters, and splash of whiskey muddle until blended.
- Add one large ice cube and remaining whiskey, stir until sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Garnish with orange twist.
Notes
- If you don't have white sugar cubes, you can still make this drink. You can use ½ teaspoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon water and 3 dashes bitters.
- I used a demerara sugar cube since it's all I had. No need to buy a full box of white ones if you already have something else on hand.
- You could also use my cheater simple syrup method instead if you prefer. I would make the syrup then use 1 teaspoon of it in the cocktail.
- Once know how to make an Old Fashioned, you can modify it to try a variety of differnt types. You can use tequila instead of the bourbon. Or you can add more flavors like fresh berries or even cinnamon.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on September 28, 2016 and has now been updated with new instructions to make a tasty Old Fashioned cocktail perfectly every time.
Craig says
Depending on how much you dislike muddling (if you're like me you don't want to do it at all), you can also use simple syrup instead of the sugar cube. From what I've read, you need about a quarter ounce of syrup to equal a sugar cube. No muddling, no grainy sugar if you're also like me and suck at muddling!
Sharon Garofalow says
Awesome note! Thanks for sharing! I totally forgot about this trick of making a fast simple syrup! https://www.cupcakesandcutlery.com/cheater-simple-syrup-for-one-cocktail/