This classic Jim Beam Old Fashioned cocktail has been around for centuries, and it's popularity hasn't wavered. Classic flavor and an easy to make recipe evoke a sense of nostalgia with this iconic drink.
Note: This recipe is intended for readers 21 and up; please enjoy responsibly.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The smoothness, incredible depth of flavor, and modern variations make the Old Fashioned one of the most popular drinks in history - here's why anyone who loves to entertain should consider adding this Jim Beam Old Fashioned to their repertoire!
The Debate: Manhattan vs. Old Fashioned
There is confusion about the difference between a classic, Old Fashioned and a classic Manhattan. Traditionally, Old Fashioned cocktails use good barrel aged bourbon, bitters, a sugar cube, ice, and just orange rind for garnish. That's it folks. You don't use cherries in an Old Fashioned.
On the other hand, a Manhattan cocktail uses similar ingredients (sweet vermouth, or brandy, sometimes bourbon), but with the addition of brandied or Maraschino cherries as a garnish.
For a Wisconsin Old Fashioned, traditionally Korbel Brandy is used in place of bourbon. Still no cherries. And, just like the Old Fashioned has a brandy counterpart, so does the Manhattan.
You can have sweet vermouth, brandy, and bourbon Manhattans. Confusing yes?
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- The Debate: Manhattan vs. Old Fashioned
- Ingredients
- How to Make a Jim Beam Old Fashioned
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
Ingredients
Since the bourbon is the highlight of this cocktail, you do need a good barrel aged bourbon for this bourbon centric cocktail. Jim Beam bourbon makes a good classic, affordable Old Fashioned.
Lower in this post I have some variations to adapt this Old Fashioned recipe into a Maple Brown Sugar Old Fashioned, and it's delicious!
- Bourbon - Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Angels Envy, Knobb Creek, or whatever barrel aged bourbon you have on hand.
- Bitters - also known as Angostura Bitters, a blend of orange bitters and spices. An essential ingredient for an Old Fashioned cocktail, but you can use bitters in your cooking marinades for fabulous flavor also!
- Sugar cubes - one sugar cube for each cocktail. You can also use Simple syrup, Brown sugar, and Maple sugar for non traditional Old Fashioned flavor profiles!
- Orange Peel strips- The essential and quintessential garnish that makes a true, Classic Old Fashioned cocktail. Use a potato or vegetable peeler to get ¼" to ½" wide strips of orange peel, about 2" long. You need two per cocktail.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a Jim Beam Old Fashioned
Whether you are an experienced mixologist or a beginner learning the ropes of bar tending, there is something special about this timeless classic that appeals to all types of tastes.
Read on for all you need to know about crafting the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail!
Prepare the Sugar Cube
- Place your old fashioned or 'on the rocks' cocktail glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This will keep your drink colder with less ice melting and spirits dilution.
- Drop a sugar cube into the bottom of a mixing glass. Shake anywhere from 6 to 12 drops of the Angostura bitters on to the sugar cube. Start with 6, you can add more bitter drops to your drink later after it is mixed, if you want more.
Muddle your Drink
- Crush the sugar cube using a cocktail muddler. After crushing the sugar cube, add one strip of orange peel to the glass (¼" to ½" wide, about 2" long).
Use the muddler to stomp on it a few times at the bottom of the glass to release the orange essence into the bitters and sugar mixture.
Add the Ice and Bourbon
- Toss a few large pieces of ice into the mixing glass. Pour your Jim Beam bourbon into the glass over the ice.
Mix Your Cocktail Ingredients
- Stir your drink until the sugar is dissolved. If the sugar does not want to dissolve easily, you can also add the bourbon before adding the ice. Either way, stir well to mix the components.
- Remove your chilled old fashioned or 'on the rocks' cocktail glass from the freezer and pour the contents of your mixing glass into the chilled cocktail glass. Rub the second strip of orange peel along the rim of the cocktail glass to finish this classic cocktail.
Alternatively, you can use the glass you will serve your cocktail in for mixing, it just won't be as chilled.
NOTE: Cocktails that are spirits, liqueurs and fortified wines only (this includes the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Martini, and Negroni), should be stirred, not shaken. This method combines the flavors less aggressively than using a cocktail shaker. By minimizing the amount of dilution, you get a better balanced cocktail.
Now you know why James Bond's famous "Shaken, Not Stirred" request was important for his vodka martini. He would have a diluted cocktail, essential for a spy maintaining his wits.
Serving Suggestions
From Negronis to Manhattans and everything in between, these timeless concoctions have had a resurgence of modern appeal. Whether it's the rich flavors or elegant presentation that entices you, there's countless reasons to serve and enjoy a Old Fashioned cocktail.
For more classic cocktails see our Grasshopper Martini, Cheesecake Cocktails, and Casino Royale Martini.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions
A inexpensive brandy is a better substitute than a cheap bourbon when making a smooth tasting Old Fashioned cocktail.
When faced with that economic calculus of cheap bourbon over expensive bourbon, and your pocket book is screaming cheap, opt for the Korbel brandy that's used to make a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. You'll still have a nice and smooth Old Fashioned cocktail.
Variations
Some terrific Old Fashioned variations to try:
- Maple Brown Sugar Old Fashioned - Use 1 teaspoon of brown sugar instead of the sugar cube. Use Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon in place of the Jim Beam Bourbon. Prepare just like the Jim Beam Old Fashioned.
- Wisconsin Old Fashioned - Substitute the barrel aged bourbon for Korebel or other brandy for a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned cocktail!
- Brandy Manhattan - When making your Manhattan, replace the the sweet vermouth with brandy.
- Bourbon Manhattan - When making your Bourbon Manhattan, replace the the sweet vermouth with a barrel aged bourbon.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Here are a few of the tools you will need to make a wide variety of cocktails:
Tips for Success
- Remember, for a TRUE Old Fashioned, you NEVER add cherries. Cherries are for Manhattan cocktails.
- Put your 'on the rocks' cocktail glasses, or old fashioned glasses in the freezer before making your Old Fashioned or Manhattan cocktail.
- Some of the best bourbon for Old Fashioned cocktails is Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek regular or their flavors, Angels Envy.
- Orange peel is the key garnish. Use a vegetable peeler to get a nice, healthy piece of rind to rim the glass and flavor the cocktail. That tiny bit of orange essential oil adds to the overall taste experience of your Old Fashioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Manhattan is garnished with cherries, while the Old Fashioned is garnished with orange peel. The main difference between the two cocktails lies though lies in the sweeteners used. The Old Fashioned calls for a sugar cube, whereas the Manhattan uses sweet vermouth or a brandy, both a type of fortified wine.
Traditionally, a Wisconsin Old Fashioned uses Korbel Brandy instead of Bourbon.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
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📖 Recipe
Jim Beam Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon barrel aged
- 6 drops Bitters
- 1 Sugar cube
- Orange peel strips 2 per cocktail
- Ice large cube
Instructions
- Place your old fashioned cocktail glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
- Drop a sugar cube into the bottom of a mixing glass. Shake anywhere from 6 to 12 drops of the Angostura bitters on to the sugar cube.6 drops Bitters, 1 Sugar cube
- Crush the sugar cube using a cocktail muddler. After crushing the sugar cube, add one strip of orange peel to the glass. Use the muddler to stomp on the orange peel a few times at the bottom of the glass to release the orange essence into the bitters and sugar mixture.Orange peel strips
- Toss a few large pieces of ice into the mixing glass. Pour your Jim Beam bourbon into the glass over the ice.2 oz Bourbon, Ice
- Stir your drink until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove your chilled old fashioned or 'on the rocks' cocktail glass from the freezer and pour the contents of your mixing glass into the chilled cocktail glass. Rub the second strip of orange peel along the rim of the cocktail glass to finish this classic cocktail.Orange peel strips
Notes
- Use a potato or vegetable peeler to get ¼" to ½" wide strips of orange peel, about 2" long. Two per drink.
- Start with 6 drops of bitters, you can add more bitter drops to your drink later after it is mixed, if you want more.
- If the sugar does not want to dissolve easily, you can also add the bourbon before adding the ice.
- Alternatively, you can use the glass you will serve your cocktail in for mixing, it just won't be as chilled.
Nutrition
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