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The Old Fashioned is my favorite drink. It introduced me to whiskey and mixology plus it's simple and versatile. I think it's easy to judge if a bar has good cocktails based solely on their Old Fashioned. What are your opinions, favorite variations, etc?
I’m in agreement with you, it’s my go-to as well. I make mine with maple syrup rather than simple syrup (I guess that’s the Canadian in me) but whenever I go out, I’ll order an old fashioned regardless of how it’s made. I like the taste of whiskey anyway, but I prefer to drink it with other flavours unless it’s a high end bottle, and the old fashioned is the best whiskey cocktail I’ve tried thus far
Maple syrup is the way to go
Absolutely. Whiskey and maple syrup just go so well together. There’s no better flavour to add to whiskey than maple, imo
More than the rye, coffee, or cinnamon, the maple syrup is really what puts a Churchill's Breakfast over the edge for me.
What's your ratio for using maple instead of simple? Is it the same amount of maple as simple or do you adjust?
I do maple quite often and I use it straight from the bottle same as simple syrup.
Usually a 1:1 replacement, same as the other guy. I suppose you could always go a little less and try, then slowly add until you find the sweet (ha) spot
A bar with luxardo cherries is worth frequenting.
I really like a good Old Fashioned. Most of the bars I’ve tried around here are terrible at making them though.
Yeah, I have to trust a bar before I will ask them for a manhattan. I have had some terrible ones.
Luckily, they are easy to make at home!
Wisconsin Old Fashioneds (brandy instead of bourbon) are superior. Fight me.
I would agree if they didn't load them up with a fruit salad lol.
No way! The fruit salad is necessary!
I prefer a Sazerac, but I'm not big on whiskey to begin with. I do like using the Old Fashioned format when trying new spirits though
It's definitely a good format for keeping a cocktail spirit forward. I also really like making mezcal old fashioneds from time to time. It's a great way to bring out what a new spirit is best suited for.
When it's good, it's great. When it's bad it's undrinkable.
I have to really trust a bar to order an old fashioned.
I'm surprised no Wisconsonites have piped up in this discussion...the local WI version version is quite a different beast than the standard OF. (Pretty undrinkable in my opinion, but hugely popular here!)
I'm guessing I haven't gotten a good one. My impressions so far is that they range from slightly better to significantly worse than just drinking the Burbon directly.
I think maybe you just don't like bourbon then? But hey, it's not for everyone. I particularly enjoy whisky, so that's likely why I enjoy an old fashioned more than other drinks.
For me at least, the only other contender is the Manhattan. Those two drinks will see me through the rest of my life.
It's my go-to and I judge the quality of the bar on their ability to make a good one. In my city I have a small list of places I go nearly weekly and that's all I order. My wife enjoys trying a bunch of different things so we make sure it's all quality, all the time.
I'd rather just have a whisky soda tbh.
I’m a big fan, especially when it’s a nice balance between sweet and bitter, rather than fruit salad.