Grapefruit Old-Fashioned

More Old-Fashioneds? Sorry. The answer is a resounding yes. The Old-Fashioned has been something of a sleeper hit for me in my repertoire. I have been drinking it for years, but for so long it wasn’t my first choice. I can’t say why exactly. Perhaps it was too boozy in flavor for me to handle it when I was a bit younger or perhaps I just wasn’t using a whiskey I really liked all along.

You may judge me a bit, but when it comes to cocktails (yes, even the Old-Fashioned), I really haven’t found something more suited for me than Canadian Club. I like Bulleit and of course I love Maker’s Mark. I like Widow Jane and I like Wild Turkey, but cocktails don’t always require the best whiskey. Stand alone is one thing — I’m not sure I’d drink Canadian Club on the rocks over any of the aforementioned whiskeys, but I love the rye content especially in an Old-Fashioned (though I suppose that pushes the envelope a tiny bit).

Grapefruit Spritzer

Once again, it’s been far too long since my last post. Every week I make a note to publish my most recent recipe and every week I screw it up and forget at the last possible second. I’m workin’ on my diligence. I do everything else on my to do lists but this.

This week, I’m perfecting a wine cocktail that I think could take me through the winter months. For a few years, I have loved the idea of having my own “house cocktail” to serve at parties or whenever I have company. During last year’s holiday season, I bottled my own personal update on the greyhound and brought that with me to dinner parties.

Don Draper’s Old-Fashioned

If you are an avid watcher of Mad Men like I am, you know that Mr. Draper likes (read: relies almost solely on) Canadian Club. You also know that he likes an Old-Fashioned when he’s out. We can see this right from the very first scene in Season One, Episode One “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”

So what is it about the Old-Fashioned that is so alluring? For starters, it’s a pretty no frills cocktail. The Old-Fashioned is not for the faint at heart, but rather for those who aren’t looking to hide the flavor of their whiskey–just heighten it. Some claim this cocktail is far too strong, but there’s no more booze in here than in any other cocktail. Instead, there’s less of everything else so the drink itself is much smaller or shorter.

Orange Sugar Cube Old-Fashioned

The old fashioned is arguably one of my favorite cocktails and we know it’s Don Draper’s. While there’s nothing wrong with the Draper era old fashioned, this updated one has made it hard for me to revert.

The sugar cubes are a bit time consuming to make, but it isn’t difficult. Once they’re done, you’ll want to just stir one right into your bourbon. As you sip on this, the sugar cube will continue to diffuse and the flavor will intensify. The cocktail is a strong start with a sweet finish that ought to keep you and your guests coming back for more.

Orange + Angostura Sugar Cubes
2 cups brown sugar
3 tsp. angostura bitters
1/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice