what is an old fashioned

An Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey (typically rye or bourbon), and garnishing with an orange slice or zest and a cocktail cherry. It is traditionally served with ice in an old fashioned glass (also known as a rocks glass) ). The drink originated in the 19th century and was given its name in the 1880s. It is one of six basic drinks listed in David A. Emburys The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks). The Old Fashioned is essentially just a slug of bourbon that’s been lightly sweetened with sugar and modified with a couple dashes of bitters. The key to a perfect Old Fashioned is the harmony of three elements: spirit, sugar, and bitters. The balance between these three elements is crucial, as there aren’t any other ingredients to help mask flavors or create wiggle room. The Old Fashioned is a popular cocktail and was reported to be the top-selling classic cocktail internationally for the sixth straight year in 2020).