Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve
Old Fashioned Week is celebrated around the globe during the beginning of November. Despite Covid, this year was no exception. More home-based than previous years perhaps, but with just as much enthusiasm. Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned cocktail enthusiasts took the opportunity to celebrate this delicious cocktail in a variety of shapes.

I love watching the mixologists put their own twists on the theme. The creativity in cocktails that I have seen over the last couple of years shows how mature the industry is becoming. I spend some time to create a few variations on the theme to highlight specific elements of the Woodford Reserve bourbon.

What is an Old Fashioned Cocktail?

It is a blend of bourbon, bitters, water and sugar that date back to the 1800s. According to research, it was founded at The Pendennis Club, a gentlemen’s club in Louisville, Kentucky. The recipe is said to have been invented by a local bartender, in honour of a prominent bourbon distiller who brought the recipe to the internationally acclaimed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York city.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

An outstanding bourbon when you are in the mood for something sweet and bold. One of my favourite bourbon whiskey releases. It has notes of honey sweetness with apricots and dark chocolate. Hints of oak balanced with a few cherries and cinnamon spice. A bold and smooth bourbon whiskey.

Also Read: Mint Julep Cocktail

The Classic Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Recipe

Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve BourbonIngredients

  • 50 ml Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • lemon peel (for garnish)

Method

Put brown sugar and bitters into a rock glass.
Add the ice and stir.
Add the Woodford Reserve bourbon and stir again.
Serve with a twist of lemon peel.




Variations on the Theme

Black Forrest Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail

Chocolate cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Switch the Angostura bitters for chocolate bitters. Garnish with maraschino cherries. This variation complements and enhances the chocolate and cherry notes of the Woodford Reserve bourbon and gives it a Black Forest cake feel.

Spicy Simple Syrup Old Fashioned Recipe

Spicy Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Replace the brown sugar with a teaspoon of spice-infused simple syrup. Make a simple syrup using 1 unit of sugar and 1 unit of boiling water. Add a cinnamon stick and star anise to the hot syrup and let infuse until cool. The spices balance out the sweetness and add a depth of flavour.

Smoky Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

<Smoky Old Fashioned Cocktail with Woodford Reserve bourbon
Add a drop or 2 of liquid smoke to the water used to make the ice before freezing.

This version as my favourite. The husband frowned at me when I started dropping liquid smoke in the ice trays, but the result was worth it. The slight smokiness from the ice slowly impacts on the Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned cocktail and highlights the oak notes while adding a new dimension to the drink.

Recently the Woodford Reserve Rye whiskey reached South African shores and I need to try an Old Fashioned with this spicier whiskey as well.

Disclaimer: Header photo supplied by the PR company. I received a bottle of Woodford Reserve and bitters as part of the Old Fashioned Week promotion.

ALWAYS ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

Also Read: Ciroc Mango Mimosa Cocktail Recipe