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Old Fashioned Cocktail with Glen Moray for Burns Night

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A Classic Whisky Cocktail – Old Fashioned.

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I love the fact that classic cocktails – the kind that my dad used to make without too much hassle – are making a comeback.  One classic whisky cocktail, an Old Fashioned is one of the best ways I know to enjoy a single malt, and it’s also incredibly simple to put together.  Much as I love the ‘fine dining’ cocktails you get in London’s top bars, just as I enjoy a well-prepared steak or a platter of oysters with traditional service, cocktails like the ‘Old Fashioned‘ are classics for a reason.

Classic Whisky Cocktail - Old Fashioned

What better excuse to indulge in practising my skills at making an Old Fashioned than Burns Night on 25th January – except that, an ‘Old Fashioned’ isn’t actually a drink from Scotland at all, but one which some say originated in Louisville Kentucky at the Pendennis Club in honour of Col. James E. Pepper .  Of course, that means rather than being traditionally made with whisky, it would have been made with Bourbon whiskey.  Other theories include that the classic whisky cocktail was named after a famous racehorse of the time called ‘Fashion’ or that it was simply the result of customers asking for their whiskey to be served the ‘old fashioned’ way.  Whatever the truth, it wasn’t until 1895 that recipes were published for Old Fashioned cocktails, in George Kappeler’s book ‘Modern American Drinks’.  Given the collection included a number of ‘Old Fashioned’ cocktails, for Whiskey, Brandy and Gin, it seems likely that the origin of the ‘Old Fashioned’ we know today was, quite simply, that customers were asking for their drinks to be served in a traditional form.

George Kappeler’s Whiskey Old Fashioned is quite simple.  You need a lump of sugar, a little water, two dashes of Angostura bitters, ice and lemon peel.  And, about 60ml of whiskey.    All you do is dissolve the sugar in the water, before adding the remaining ingredients and mixing with a small bar-spoon.  He suggested serving with the spoon in the glass.

Old Fashioned - Classic Whisky Cocktail

Meanwhile, the lovely people at Glen Moray have been sharing their own Old Fashioned recipes with me.  Last year, at about this time I shared the Port Cask Finish Old Fashioned, which is made with Earl Grey Syrup.  This year, I’m going back to the classic and sharing a classic whisky cocktail recipe for an Old Fashioned.  It’s one of those recipes which is so simple there are only a few things you can do to make it different but I do think it’s important to remember a few details.

Old Fashioned Ingredients

Firstly, you need to use the right glass – a short tumbler.  I’ve made mine in one of my Father’s old crystal glasses because I think he’d approve of this particular cocktail.

Secondly, the garnish of orange and a cocktail cherry is important.

Finally, although this would traditionally have been made with bourbon, I believe it’s the quality of the spirit which matters. Glen Moray is a classic whisky, a Speyside single malt, which is the starting point for a range of single malt whiskies.  All Scotch Whisky must be matured in oak casks for a minimum of three years but is often matured much longer.  Finishing, by transferring the whisky to empty casks that previously held other wines or spirits adds a depth of flavour from the interaction of the spirit with the wood of the cask.

Glen Moray Classic Lifestyle

Glen Moray, which celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2017,  is still distilled in pot stills, from water and malted barley, then carefully matured in American oak casks.  The result, a typical Single Malt from Speyside, is soft and fruity. Glen Moray has a peated whisky which is made by drying the barley with peat smoke before distillation.  I am yet to try it but which my own island heritage (my Father’s side of the family comes from Mull and Skye) means I am likely to have a taste for it.  There’s a sherry cask finish and a port cask finished whisky.  And then there are the aged whiskies.  Twelve, fifteen and eighteen years aged – that means the youngest whisky used is the stated age.

For a classic Old Fashioned whisky cocktail, I’d recommend using the Glen Moray Elgin Classic.

4.7 from 49 votes
Classic Whisky Cocktail - Old Fashioned
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Whisky Old Fashioned Cocktail
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
0 mins
 

A classic whisky cocktail - The Old Fashioned

Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: British
Keyword: Classic, Old Fashioned, whiskey, whisky
Servings: 1
Calories: 130 kcal
Author: Fiona Maclean
Ingredients
  • 50 ml Glen Moray Elgin Classic
  • 1 Sugar Cube
  • 2 pieces Orange peel
  • 2 Cocktail Cherries
  • 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 teaspoon Water
  • Ice cubes
Instructions

  1. Take one piece of orange peel, squeeze it to express the zest and then rub the peel around the inside of a whisky tumbler.

    Old Fashioned Ingredients

  2. Muddle the sugar cube, bitters and water in the tumbler until smooth

  3. Add the cherries, with 3 ice cubes

  4. Add half the whisky and stir well

    Old Fashioned - Classic Whisky Cocktail

  5. Top the glass up with ice cubes and add the remaining whisky

  6. Garnish with a twist of orange peel

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

A classic whisky cocktail - Old Fashioned

If you just can’t wait here’s where you can get your hands on a bottle right now.  And do let me know in the comments below what your favourite whisky cocktail is.

Glen Moray Elgin Classic Single Malt Whisky is available from: Sainsbury’s,  Morrisons, Tesco, Amazon, masterofmalt.com and thewhiskyexchange.com.

RRP: £20 for 70cl. ABV: 40%

The Glen Moray Elgin Classic Gift Pack is available from: Amazon, masterofmalt.com and houseofmalt.co.uk

RRP: £25

About Fiona Maclean

London based freelance writer and marketing consultant. I edit London-Unattached.com and write for a number of other publications. With a music degree and a background in marketing across many sectors, my passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel

Comments

  7. Mike Gerrie says

    Ginger Grouse – Fill a glass with ice, squeeze a wedge of lime and drop into the glass. Add a measure of The Famous Grouse. Top up with ginger beer/ale, stir and serve

    Reply

  24. Ian Campbell says

    Coke, peanuts and whisky – an alternative take on a classic formula. Pour some Coca Cola into glass, chuck in some roasted peanuts before finishing off with some of your favourite whisky et voila, a dream cocktail is yours!

    Reply

  42. alice lightning says

    an old fashion or a hot toddy coffee with a good splash of whisky definately helps keep the cold out fantastic giveaway x

    Reply

  54. Judith MacInnes says

    It sounds like I’m copying, but I do actually love an Old Fashioned! Had an amazing one on holiday last year prepared in a smoke box – a great way of fancying up a simple drink!

    Reply

  64. Hannah Smith says

    A manhattan would have to be my favourite ‘classic’ coctail, but I love trying new and inventive ones too

    Reply

  97. Marie Evans says

    Personally I don’t like Whisky but hubby loves it so I am trying to win for him. I don’t know about Cocktail but, he always liked Whisky & Canadian.But like he said why spoil a great Whisky by diluting by adding to it. He has a point!

    Reply

  125. Hannah Igoe says

    I really don’t think I have ever had a whisky cocktail to tell you what my favourite is! One to try in 2019 I think!

    Reply

  147. Judith Allen says

    We aren’t whisky fans, but I suspect my partner’s Dad would like this Old Fashioned, he likes an occasional dram.

    Reply

  181. Natasha Dodds says

    I remember trying my first Manhattan in Luxor in Las Vegas; wasn’t keen to begin with but it grew on me and now every time I drink it it reminds me of my amazing trip 🙂

    Reply

  186. Louise Comb says

    I think mine is probably an Old Fashioned – but I’ve yet to meet a cocktail that I didn’t like 😀 XXX

    Reply

  195. Rhia says

    Can you believe I’ve never had a whiskey cocktail? Rum, gin, vodka yes but not whisky…. probly coz my partner drinks single malt and would probably consider it some form of sacrilege to have it with anything but a drop of water!

    Reply

  221. Cherry Lloyd says

    I have never had a whisky cocktail because I always drink it straight or with ginger, so your recipes are a nice idea for me to try out next time.

    Reply

  228. Hayley Colburn says

    I only ever drink whisky neat with ice or with ginger beer but the ‘old fasioned’ recipe does sound interesting so will have to give that a try

    Reply

  277. Lisa says

    The Sweet Manhattan cocktail as it’s so refreshing and my friends really like it too when they come over for a night in.

    Reply

  286. Fiona jk42 says

    I like a hot toddy in winter. I also like to put whisky in hot chocolate, which gives it a lovely warming flavour.

    Reply

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