It’s officially Fall! And while I wouldn’t yet call the weather crisp, it is a welcome break from the heat and humidity of DC summers. The classic Old Fashioned cocktail is the perfect drink any time of year – but especially on chilly Fall nights. It was the first cocktail (ever!) and continues to hold iconic status today. Grab the recipe below!

Classic Old Fashioned

2 oz Rye Whiskey
1/2 oz  Cognac or Brandy
1 tsp Rich Simple Syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

To make the rich simple syrup, combine two cups of demerara, turbinado, or another raw sugar with a cup of water in a saucepan. Melt the sugar in the water over medium heat,  stirring frequently.

To make your Classic Old Fashioned: combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass and stir with ice. (For the smoothest stirring motion, try sliding the back of the spoon around the inside of the mixing glass, using just your wrist to turn the spoon). Strain into a chilled lowball glass filled with fresh ice, the bigger the cubes the better. Take a sharp vegetable peeler and peel a length of lemon peel; twist the peel over the glass to express the lemon’s aromatic oils and then drop the peel in the glass. Do the same thing with a piece of orange peel. Enjoy!

There’s a reason we keep returning to these classic cocktails over and over again. The classic Old Fashioned cocktail perfect any time of year. It’s mellow and smooth and delicious, and totally deserving of the adoration it continues to receive today. You can check out the shopping guide right here – and go make yourself a classic cocktail!

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