A few weeks ago, I had dinner with a friend.  I had been clamoring for a thick rib-eye steak and a slightly dirty martini for a long time.  After listening to me “dry beg” for a time, he finally suggested we meet for dinner and he would treat.  He didn’t have to ask twice.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, my friend was sitting at the bar enjoying some sort of whiskey drink in an old-fashioned glass.  I had fully intended on having my martini, a drink I love, but this drink looked so good and he seemed to be enjoying it so much that I changed my mind and told the waiter, “I’ll have what he is having.”

When I enquired, I was told that the drink was an Old-Fashioned.  It was delicious!  I had two.  I wanted a third, but had to drive home. Since that evening, I have been dreaming of an “Old-Fashioned.”

Last Friday, my wife and I had our date night.  I was looking forward to two things:  my wife’s company and the Old-Fashioned that I was going to have that evening.  I wasn’t disappointed.

I love straight bourbon! (I also love Scotch.) But this is a sweeter and more refreshing way to enjoy your whiskey.

If you’re a sophisticated cocktail drinker, you are surely quite familiar with the Old-Fashioned.  But for those of us who only dabble and/or are looking to expand our cocktail repertoire, what kind of friend would I be if I kept this secret to myself?

1. 1 teaspoon superfine sugar. Or 1 scant teaspoon of simple syrup, or 1 sugar cube.
2. 2 – 3 dashes Angostura bitters
3. 1 orange slice
4. 1 strip of orange zest
5. 3 ounces of your favorite bourbon
6. 1 maraschino cherry for garnish

Some recipes call for a splash of club soda or water.  That is an addition and not part of the traditional recipe.

1. Muddle the sugar, bitters, and one of the orange slices in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass
2. Add ice. If you are fortunate enough to have one large cube, that is best.
3. Add bourbon and stir
4. Garnish with the orange zest and the cherry.

Enjoy!