How to Make an Old Fashioned Cocktail with Simple Syrup

There’s nothing quite like a classic Old Fashioned cocktail to help you unwind after a long day. But have you ever tried making it with simple syrup instead of sugar? It’s a small change that can make a big difference in the taste and texture of your drink. Luckily, it’s also a super easy swap to make. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to making a delicious Old Fashioned with simple syrup, so you can impress your friends and enjoy a top-notch drink.

First, for those who may not know, an Old Fashioned is a timeless cocktail made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a twist of orange or lemon. It’s simple yet sophisticated, and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. To make it with simple syrup, you’ll need to combine equal parts water and sugar (we recommend using a 1:1 ratio) in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the sugar dissolves, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Congratulations, you’ve just made simple syrup! Now, on to the Old Fashioned.

Making a delicious old fashioned with simple syrup is quite easy and can be done in a few simple steps. In this section, we’ll outline step-by-step how to make the perfect old fashioned using simple syrup. So, let’s get started and whip up a drink that is sure to impress!

Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start mixing, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. You will need bourbon or whiskey, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and orange peel for garnish. Make sure you use high-quality ingredients for a perfect taste.

Prepare Your Glass

The next step is to prepare your glass. A rocks glass or an old fashioned glass is ideal for this cocktail. Put a few drops of water in the glass and add ice cubes to fill it halfway. Stir the water and ice cubes for a few seconds to chill the glass.

Add the Simple Syrup

Add 1 teaspoon of simple syrup to the glass on top of the ice cubes. If you like your drink to be sweeter, you can add a little more.

Add the Bitters

Next, add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters to the glass. The bitters give the cocktail a unique flavor and a beautiful color.

Add the Bourbon or Whiskey

Now it’s time to add the star of the cocktail – bourbon or whiskey. You can add 2 ounces of bourbon or whiskey to the glass. Make sure it is a high-quality brand as it is the primary ingredient in the drink.

Stir it up

Carefully stir all the ingredients together. You want to make sure that all the flavors are nicely combined.

Add More Ice

Add more ice cubes to the glass until it is almost full.

Garnish with Orange Peel

Cut out a small piece of the orange peel and squeeze it lightly over the glass. This releases the citrus oil from the peel and enhances the flavor. Then, drop the peel into the glass as a garnish.

Enjoy Your Drink

Finally, all that’s left to do is to sit back, relax and enjoy your drink. Savor the flavors of bourbon, sweet simple syrup, bitter Angostura, and a hint of citrusy orange peel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making an old fashioned with simple syrup is straightforward and can be done in a few simple steps. By following the instructions provided above, you’ll be able to whip up a delicious drink in no time. Just remember to use high-quality ingredients and enjoy your drink responsibly. Cheers!

10 Simple Steps to Make an Old Fashioned with Simple Syrup

A classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned is a whiskey-based drink that has been around for over a century. This drink is perfect for those who appreciate a stronger and bolder flavor profile. And while the traditional recipe calls for granulated sugar, using simple syrup instead can make the process of creating this cocktail much easier. Here are 10 simple steps to help you create an Old Fashioned with simple syrup.

1. Gather your ingredients

Before you start making your cocktail, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. You’ll need whiskey (bourbon or rye), simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and an orange peel. You’ll also need a glass to serve your drink and ice to chill it.

2. Choose the right whiskey

Whiskey is the star ingredient in this cocktail, so it’s important to choose the right one. Bourbon is the most popular choice, but rye whiskey can also be used, depending on your personal preference. Be sure to select a whiskey that hasn’t been aged too long – four to six years is ideal.

3. Make the simple syrup

Making simple syrup is very easy. All you need is equal parts of sugar and water. Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan, then heat it over medium heat, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Once it has dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Your simple syrup is now ready to use.

4. Chill your glass

An Old Fashioned is best served in a chilled glass. Place your glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes before you start making your cocktail.

5. Muddle the orange peel and bitters

Take your orange peel and muddle it in the bottom of your chilled glass. Then, add a few dashes of Angostura bitters to the glass.

6. Add the simple syrup

Measure out a half-ounce of the simple syrup and pour it over the muddled orange peel and bitters.

7. Add the whiskey

Now it’s time to add the whiskey. Measure out two ounces of your chosen whiskey and pour it into the glass.

8. Stir

Gently stir all the ingredients together using a bar spoon. Be sure not to over-stir, as it can dilute the drink and affect the flavor.

9. Add ice

Fill your glass with ice, leaving a little bit of room at the top. You can use a large ice cube or several smaller ones.

10. Garnish and enjoy

Finally, give your drink a nice stir and garnish it with a cherry or another slice of orange peel. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy your delicious Old Fashioned cocktail with simple syrup.

Why use simple syrup?

When it comes to making cocktails, using simple syrup is often recommended over regular granulated sugar. Here are a few reasons why:

Better consistency

Simple syrup is made by dissolving sugar in equal parts water, resulting in a consistent liquid that is easier to work with and measure accurately. Granulated sugar, on the other hand, can clump together and create an inconsistent texture.

Faster dissolving

Because the sugar in simple syrup is already dissolved, it combines with the other ingredients in your cocktail more easily and evenly. This means you don’t have to shake or stir your cocktail as long or as vigorously to achieve the same level of sweetness.

No grainy texture

Using granulated sugar in a cocktail can sometimes result in a grainy texture, particularly if the sugar isn’t fully dissolved. Simple syrup, on the other hand, creates a smooth and consistent texture that won’t interfere with the other flavors in your drink.

Customizable sweetness

Simple syrup can be made as sweet or as mild as you like, depending on the ratio of water to sugar you use. This gives you more control over the sweetness level of your cocktail, and you can adjust the sweetness to fit your personal preference.

Great for large batches

If you’re making cocktails for a crowd, simple syrup is a great way to sweeten your drinks without having to handle a lot of granulated sugar. It’s easy to make in large batches and can be stored in the fridge for up to a month, making it a convenient option for entertaining.

Overall, using simple syrup in your old fashioned (and other cocktails) can help you achieve a better, more consistent result. Try making your own simple syrup at home to experience the difference for yourself.

Cheers to the Perfect Old Fashioned!

Thank you for reading our guide on how to make an old fashioned with simple syrup. We hope you learned something new and that the next time you pour one out, it’s a delicious masterpiece. Remember to experiment and find what works best for you, whether that’s swapping out the bitters or using a different type of whiskey. Come back soon for more tips, tricks, and drink recipes! Until then, cheers!