The Old Fashioned Framework [& 9 Variations on the Classic]
December 12, 2025
The Old Fashioned is often treated as a fixed recipe, but it is better understood as a framework. At its core, it is simply spirit, sugar, bitters, and intention. Change one element and the entire drink shifts, which is exactly why it remains one of the most enduring cocktails ever created.
This guide is built to help you think beyond a single formula and start building Old Fashioneds with confidence. We focus on the role of the base spirit, how different sugars shape texture and flavour, and how bitters can push a drink toward bright, spiced, bitter, or deeply aromatic territory. Small choices make a big difference.
Whether you prefer whisky, rum, brandy, or something less expected, this framework gives you the tools to tailor the drink to your palate and the moment. Use it as a starting point, a reference, or a creative playground. Once you understand the structure, the possibilities open up quickly.
9 Old Fashioned Riffs
Old Fashioned with Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices
⅓ to ½ oz Orange Curaçao
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 bar spoon Maraschino Liqueur
Garnish: Orange Twist
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled & diluted, strain over fresh ice & garnish.
Old Fashioned with Patron Reposado Edition
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Patron Resposado
⅓ to ½ oz Honey Syrup
2 dashes Grapefruit Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Lemon Twist
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled & diluted, strain over fresh ice & garnish.
Old Fashioned with Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo
¼ to ⅓ oz Agave Nectar
2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Orange Twist
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled & diluted, strain over fresh ice & garnish.
Old Fashioned with Lot 40 Dark Oak
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Lot 40 Dark Oak
⅓ oz Dark-Grade Maple Syrup
2 dashes Black Walnut Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Dark Orange Chocolate
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled & diluted, strain over fresh ice & garnish.
Old Fashioned with Signal Hill Founders Select OP Edition
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Signal Hill Founders Select OP
⅓ oz Sons of Vancouver Amaretto
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Orange Twist
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled & diluted, strain over fresh ice & garnish.
Old Fashioned with Sanctuary Single Malt Signature Edition
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Sanctuary Single Malt Signature Edition
⅓ to ½ oz Licor 43
2 dashes Grapefruit Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Grapefruit Twist
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled & diluted, strain over fresh ice & garnish.
Old Fashioned with Diplomatico Exclusiva Reserva
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva
⅓ oz Coffee Liqueur
2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
1 dash Orange Bitters
1 bar spoon Fernet Branca
Garnish: Orange Twist
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled & diluted, strain over fresh ice & garnish.
Orange Truffle Tini
All chocolate-orange sweetness up front, followed by just enough tequila backbone to make it slightly dangerous.
Ingredients:
45 ml Milagro Silver Tequila
15 ml Orange Curaçao
15 ml White Creme de Cacao
1 dash Angostura Bitters
2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
Garnish: Orange Twist
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled and diluted. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish.
Freezer Martini Batch
495 ml Milagro Silver
165 ml Orange Curaçao
165 ml White Creme de Cacao
10 dashes Angostura Bitters
15-20 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
Top with filtered water (approx. 175ml)
Method
Batch in a 1L bottle. Keep in freezer until you’re ready to pour into chilled glasses.
Makes approximately 11 cocktails.
Black Rabbit Martini
A smoky, bittersweet mezcal sipper inspired by the 400 rabbits of agave lore and the shadowy, indulgent Black Rabbit energy of late nights.
Ingredients:
45 ml 400 Conejos Mezcal
22.5 ml Dry Vermouth
10 ml Licor 43
1 barspoon (5ml) Liquore Strega
3 dashes Grapefruit Bitters
Garnish: Chocolate Square
Method:
Stir with ice in a mixing glass until chilled and diluted. Pour over ice & garnish.
Freezer Martini Batch
450 ml Conejos 400 Mezcal
225 ml Dry Vermouth
100 ml Licor 43
50ml Liquore Strega
20-30 dashes Grapefruit Bitters
Top with filtered water (approx. 175ml)
Method
Batch in a 1L bottle. Keep in freezer until you’re ready to pour. Pour over 1 large cube & garnish. Makes approximately 10 cocktails.
