Origins of the Old-Fashioned Cocktail: 200+ Years in the Making

There’s something about a cocktail. The way it transports you to another time and place. The air of sophistication accompanying it. Although cocktails have grown in complexity and popularity in recent decades, their history is beautifully simple.

The first known definition of cocktail dates back to 1806. The Balance and Columbian Repository, a New York newspaper, defined “cocktail” as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters…it renders the heart flout and bold, at the same time that it fiddles the head.” (Some things never change.)

The Old-Fashioned was first called a Whiskey Cocktail. It came with two ingredients – whiskey and bitters – and became popular in the early 1800s. Soon enough, sugar and ice were added to the recipe for a more balanced flavor profile. 

In the late 1800s, bartenders started experimenting more, adding new ingredients, garnishes, and fancy glassware to the cocktail experience. Although liqueurs date back hundreds or thousands of years, they weren’t used widely in American cocktails until the 1860s or 70s. 

The whiskey cocktail wasn’t immune to the spirit of innovation. In the 1870s, it was often supplemented with dashes of absinthe, maraschino, and other liqueurs. Many people preferred the original recipe, however, so they would order an “Old-Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail.” This made it clear to the bartender they wanted it fashioned the old way with whiskey, sugar, ice, and bitters. The name stuck, and the Old-Fashioned was born.

Bourbon Old-Fashioned Cocktails

Old-fashioneds are commonly crafted with bourbon, and for good reason. Made primarily from corn, bourbon is considered sweeter and smoother than whiskey. Those traits transfer to the old-fashioned cocktail, of course, offering a sippability unrivaled by many whiskeys.

Some would argue that bourbon is the star of the original Old-Fashioned recipe: 1 sugar cube, 2 dashes of bitters, 2 ounces of bourbon, and an orange twist. It’s certainly feasible when you look at the timeline. Bourbon was born in the 1780s, and according to some accounts, it was featured in Old-Fashioneds in the early 1800s. 

Truth is, whether the first Old-Fashioned was made with whiskey or bourbon doesn’t matter. Bourbon is a type of whiskey, and it wasn’t called bourbon until the 1850s. At the end of the day, it’s semantics. What matters is the taste, and every category and brand of whiskey has a unique profile.

Old-Fashioned Modifications and Variations

Old-Fashioned Garnishes

Today, old-fashioned cocktails are commonly served with a maraschino cherry and orange peel. The cherry adds a hint of fruity sweetness to the spirit-forward cocktail, and the orange peel provides a citrus aroma – but only if the peel is “expressed” correctly. Expressing an orange peel means twisting the peel over the surface of the drink. It releases the orange’s fragrant oils and, believe it or not, affects the cocktail’s aroma and flavor (the peel may also be rubbed around the rim). Combined, these garnishes and techniques add a layer of complexity, making the Old-Fashioned more than a mere drink – an experience.

Oaxaca Old-Fashioned

Tequila lovers may enjoy the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned, a fun take on the original. Simply replace the bourbon with reposado tequila and mezcal. Exchange the sugar for agave. And ¡ahí está! There it is! The Oaxaca is the perfect blend of smoky and sweet.

Rum Old-Fashioned

If you have a taste for the Caribbean, consider the Rum Old-Fashioned. Made with aged rum instead of whiskey, it adds a hint of vacation to the sophisticated simplicity of an old-fashioned. Add a teaspoon of allspice dram (a rum-based liqueur) for some complex notes of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Premade Old-Fashioned Near Orlando, FL

Truitt’s pre-made old-fashioned combines quality with convenience. With a bottle of Truitt’s, you get the perfect old-fashioned cocktail every single time. Made with 5-year bourbon and natural ingredients, it’s the best pre-made Old-Fashioned on the market. And if you live near Orlando, FL, it’s local to you. Sign up for our newsletter today to stay in the loop on all things Solider City Spirits, including discounts, events, swag, new releases, and more.