A Masterpiece of Crafting the Perfect Old Fashioned with Whisky
Whisky is the drink of choice when concocting the perfect old-fashioned, but selecting the perfect whisky can feel daunting for beginner mixologists. So, if you want to craft the most deliciously smooth and slightly sweet old-fashioned you’ve ever tasted, here’s the key – skip the bottle of generic whisky at the corner store.
Instead, opt for an exquisite whisky like a single-malt Scotch or a small-batch bourbon. Even better – seek out a whisky that’s been aged for at least 12 years to ensure its flavorful complexity can work its magic in your old-fashioned.
A Complexity of Inspiring Flavors in Aged Whisky
The longer a whisky is aged, the more complex its flavors become. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a good thing for all types of whisky – it depends on the particular type and what the aspiring mixologist hopes to achieve in their old-fashioned.
Aged whiskies tend to be slightly smoky, oaky and subtly sweet. So for those looking to craft an old-fashioned with a delectably smooth finish, an aged whisky is definitely the way to go. The oaky, smoky notes of aged whisky provide the perfect backdrop for other aromatic bitters and sweet simple syrup.
The Sweetness of Simple Syrup in Enhancing the Flavors of Whisky
In order to bring out the earthy, oaky notes of whisky in an old-fashioned, you’ll need to add some sweetness. That’s where simple syrup comes in – it’s essential when crafting the perfect old-fashioned.
Simple syrup is exactly that – simple. All you need to do is combine equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan and gently stir until the sugar dissolves. This can take a few minutes, so be patient. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, let it cool off and voilà – you’ve got yourself a bottle of rich, sweet simple syrup that’ll bring out the complexities of the whisky while adding the perfect level of sweetness.
A Touch of Tangy Bitters Delightfully Balancing out the Flavors
While simple syrup will bring out the flavors of the whisky in your old-fashioned, it alone can’t provide the perfect balance to the drink. That’s where bitters come in.
Bitters, as their name implies, are complex liquids made up of various aromatic ingredients, like herbs, spices, roots, and barks. On their own, bitters can taste quite bitter, which is why they’re best used in drinks like the old-fashioned. When added to simple syrup and whisky in an old-fashioned, bitters balance out and deepen the aroma and flavor of the drink.
From Simple Syrup to Bitters: Crafting the Perfect Whisky Old-Fashioned
Once you’ve selected your whisky, added simple syrup and chosen your bitters, all that’s left is to mix it all together. The best part? An old-fashioned only requires two ingredients: whisky and bitters. So, it’s as simple as 3 parts whisky to 1 part bitters.
Once you’ve combined the whisky and bitters in a rocks glass, add the simple syrup of your choosing to the mix and stir until the whiskey is fully incorporated into the syrup.
Finally, top it off with a few cubes or a single large cube of ice and you’ve got yourself an expertly crafted, perfectly balanced old-fashioned that’s sure to please.
So remember, when crafting the perfect whisky old-fashioned, the key is to select an aged whisky with rich flavor, balance it with sweet simple syrup, and finish it off with aromatic bitters, to achieve that perfect balance between sweet and tangy.
