There’s a pizza crust a-risin and a cocktail next to my keyboard. This Sunday night is on the right track.

This weekend has flown by, and I think the next few will, too. We suddenly have quite a few social engagements going on! It’s almost like the gross winter is ending and everyone is no longer afraid to leave their homes. Finally!

Today I’m writing about the Old Fashioned because we got a new bottle of whiskey, the Temperance Trader Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Bull Run Distilling. We have been out of whiskey/bourbon for a couple of weeks, and I was so excited to get this bottle home and play with it. One of my favorite things about it is the smell – sometime, just smell the bottle in your bar. Heavenly.

The Old Fashioned is, in fact, one of the most old fashioned cocktails there are. The first recipe dates back to 1895. Apparently it’s Don Draper’s favorite, which I only know because Wikipedia (so behind on Mad Men).

There’s not too much going on to disrupt the taste of your preferred whiskey/rye/bourbon in an Old Fashioned. The only other ingredients? Sugar (or simple syrup) and bitters. So when you go to make one, make sure you pick a spirit you truly enjoy. Luckily, I am really enjoying our new bottle of bourbon.

Here’s what you need:
2 oz. bourbon or whiskey
3 dashes Angostura bitters
2 dashes orange bitters (optional)*
1/4 oz simple syrup
twist of lemon
Large ice cube or sphere

*The orange bitters are in no way part of the traditional recipe. But I love them, and will add them to almost any bourbon cocktail.

In a glass full of ice, stir together the bourbon, bitters and simple syrup until very cold. Strain into a rocks glass containing a large ice cube (or sphere if you like the Tovolo molds like we do).

Rub the edge of the glass with the outside of the lemon peel, then garnish.