Savoring the Season: A Southern Old-Fashioned Cocktail
PUBLISHED ON: 02.25.2017
Our good friends invited us over for a new cocktail they were enjoying. Typically, not fan of whiskeys but we were pleasantly surprised.
Old fashioned cocktails have a place in American culture. This cocktail dates back to 1806. A recipe which included a mix of spirits of any kind, water, sugar cubes and bitters. Leave it to the American mixologists to grow tired of the “traditional” and start adding a “new” fashioned approach to the “old” fashioned. No doubt the traditionalists were agape in horror at the idea of adding oranges, cherries and even pineapples to a original four ingredient cocktail. It would not be American if we did not twist and change the elements to bring about a modern twist on a very traditional cocktail.
On a whim we packed our bags and spent a few days in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina. With our friends cocktail still fresh on our minds, and an attempt to recreate it on our own prior to leaving town…our awareness was at a peak when we discovered the south takes it old-fashioned cocktail quite seriously. This porch sipper gains momentum in the south with the first turn of autumn and continues long through the spring.
This version of the old-fashioned cocktail was discovered while on a walking food tour of old Charleston and belongs to the Cocktail Club Lounge located in the historic district and dedicated to the “art of the craft cocktail.”
Enjoy the warm, sweet southern feel of a modern Old-Fashioned cocktail.
Southern Old-Fashioned Cocktail
Serves 1
Recipe from Cocktail Club (Charleston)
Ingredients:
2 brandied cherries
1/2 orange slice
3/4 oz simple syrup
3 oz. rye whiskey
Angostura or Peychaud bitters
soda water
lemon peel
Directions:
1. Muddle cherries, orange and simple syrup in a tall glass, then fill with ice.
2. Add rye whiskey and stir with a spoon.
3. Add several dash of bitters, to taste, and stir.
4. Pour into double old-fashioned glass, and top with a splash of soda water.
5. Squeeze and twist the lemon over the cocktail, and run along the rim of the glass.
Enjoy!
Angie's Recipes
It sounds and looks like a lovely drink to share with friends!Have a great weekend!
Denise
My favorite drink
That Girl
This feels like it would warm up a cold night!
Marcelle
This cocktail sounds like fun to try! Lately we have been trying new cocktails instead sticking to our usual beer and wine. Putting this on on the \”must-try\” list, Velva. I would love to visit Charleston sometime, I've heard it's beautiful. We adored Savannah last summer, 3 days there was not nearly enough.
Jeff the Chef
I love old fashioneds in any form!
grace
this kind of drink is way too boozy for me (even when i'm not pregnant) but i can understand why it's a classic!
Pam
This is my kind of drink, I know it's delicious! Thanks, Velva and take care!
Kitchen Riffs
Love cocktails! And an Old-Fashioned is one of the best. Love those brandied cherries!
Sue/the view from great island
This is one of our favorites, love your recipe Velva 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal)
My husband likes an old fashion. Especially when we lived up in New England…it was one of his favorites during the fall and winter. I'll have to show him the \”new\” old fashion.
Gerlinde de Broekert
I don't think I ever had an old fashion . Your version looks good and I have to add it to my list of cocktails to try. Have a great week .
DUTA
The two glasses with the old-fashioned cocktail look good.A cocktail based on cherries, soda water, whiskey and bitters – can't go wrong; it tastes great and is very enjoyable.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
Velva I adore a good cocktail! It signals the end of the week, and a gathering with friends! 😀
Sarah
Sounds tasty. Did you make your own cherries? I rarely drink rye whiskey. Strange, I know, because I'm Canadian. I must buy some and try this.
Southerncook
This looks soooooo good. Since I have the cherries and the bitters made by Woodford Reserve I should get me some Woodford Reserve. That may be my Sat. evening cocktail.Carolyn
Rhodesia
Cheers that sound just too delicious for words. Hope all is well Diane
Cheri Savory Spoon
Hi Velva, what a delicious looking drink, I don't think I've ever had rye whiskey or anything like this before but will make it a point to try next time we go out for dinner.
Tina Culbertson
My husband makes a great old fashioned, like Don Draper ???? I like your new website ????
Velva Knapp
Thank you Tina! You can’t beat a good old-fashioned.
sippitysup
Yes. An Old-Fashioned is perhaps my favorite cocktail. This bad boy is big too. I guess that means I’d like it even more! GREG
Ron
I haven’t had an old fashion in years but always enjoyed them. I’ll have to give your friend’s version a go as soon as I can find the brandies cherries as I’ve not seen them over this way.
Eileen
This cocktail seems perfect for a hot summer. Can’t wait to try making this myself! Thanks for sharing!
Liz
My parents were big fans of old fashions as was my MIL I wish they were still around as I’d love to make your version for them! Have a great weekend!
Ann Coleman
Although wine is my drink of choice, I do enjoy the occasional cocktail. I used to love whiskey sours, but it’s hard to fine them nowadays!
Thao @ In Good Flavor
I generally like light and sweet drinks, but every now and then I like to change it up. This would be a good cocktail to try!