classic old fashioned

The Old Fashioned cocktail was invented in Louisville and has made its way to 30A, by way of several different local restaurants and bars. An Old Fashioned in its truest form is simple, delectable, and fits its name perfectly. This cocktail will never go out of style and has a reputation as a sophisticated, stiff evening drink.

As our favorite bourbon-based drink, it’s the ideal combination of sweet and strong and is a welcomed, cozy break from the Coronas and rum drinks that are sure to dominate your beach vacation. In ideal conditions, we love to sip it slowly after a dinner on a warm evening surrounded by friends and take in the surroundings on a rooftop with Gulf views, always saving that cherry for last. With most cocktails, there are variations to the drink. Some prefer their Old Fashioned with orange zest and a peel in lieu of cherries. Others prefer simple syrup instead of a sugar cube, or a large cube of ice instead of water.

It’s most important to respect the cocktail and not to undervalue the importance of quality ingredients for this recipe. While the technique of serving an Old Fashioned is rather easy, it’s not a drink you want to serve with cheap mixers. Everything from the whiskey, of course, to the brand of maraschino cherries can make or break your drink if not served properly.