Man, if there’s anything to celebrate in 2020, it’s that it’s over. And what better way to celebrate than with a good cocktail?
We wanted to take a deep dive and individually test each ingredient in a classic Old Fashioned to really come up with that cocktail bar-worthy beverage. Good news: We think we’ve done it.
Bitters and bourbon If you’re looking to acquire a few bottles, be sure to consider how they’ll work with bourbon’s trademark flavors such as vanilla, toffee, oak, caramel, and smoke. They pair nicely with citrus and chocolate bitters, but not as well with herbal-flavors.
What Cocktail Cherries are Best in an Old Fashioned?
This was a fun experiment as most recipes just call for adding a marschino cherry or cocktail cherry. How much of a difference could it make?
Turns out, a huge difference. If the cherry is the “icing on the cake” of a cocktail, then you want to get it right.
We tested any cherry we could easily find. That included:
Cherries in Heavy Syrup:
- Maraska (we got these in store for ~$20)
- Luxardo (This is a link for 2 jars. In store, these were ~$20)
- Fabbri
Cherries in Light Syrup:
And three cherries we tried we weren’t fans of:
The biggest difference in cocktail cherries is the thickness of syrup. It was very interesting to learn that some cherries are dripping in syrup that resembles molasses and some are in a very light syrup that is closer to a light maple syrup.
Maraschino cherries are fine if that’s your only option, but they’re not preferred. Since this recipe is really taking that cocktail from “decent” to “I’d happily pay for that at a cocktail bar,” this is one of those details that’s easy to overlook but can be a game changer. Getting a nice jar of cherries significantly improves the drink.
Our favorite “thick syrup” cherry was the Maraska. Maraska, Luxardo, and Fabbri are all decent cherries and enjoyable, but we’d go for Maraska if you can find them.
Our favorite “light syrup” cherry was the Woodford Reserve cherry. However, the Jack Rudy was almost equally enjoyable.
How to Make an Old Fashioned
Cocktail Bitters & How to Use Them!
FAQ
Which bitters for bourbon?
Why do you add bitters to bourbon?
What kind of bitters go in Old Fashioned?
Do Bitters work with Bourbon?
Bitters work well with bourbon, such a sweet spirit, because they can tame that sweetness. When you taste bourbon and find those sweet vanilla, corn, caramel, fruit or nut notes, you can balance that with bitters. Think of taste as a balancing scale. In a cocktail, you want a drink that’s not too sweet and not too sour.
What is the healthier substitute of Bourbon?
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, distilled from a mash made from primarily of corn. Best non alcohol substitute for bourbon are non-alcoholic vanilla extract, peach nectar mixed with apple cider vinegar, almond extract, ginger beer, non alcoholic bourbon extract.
What are the different types of Bourbon bitters?
There are a variety of bitters that can be used for bourbon. The most popular type of bitters is Angostura bitters. Other types of bitters that can be used include orange bitters, cherry bitters, and grapefruit bitters. What are the best cocktails with bourbon? There are many different cocktails that can be made with bourbon.
Can you mix Bourbon and bitters in a cocktail?
Bourbon and bitters are two of the most popular ingredients in cocktails. They both have a rich flavor that can add depth to a drink. When combined, they can create a delicious and sophisticated cocktail. There are many different cocktails that you can make with bourbon and bitters.