Make your next cocktail an exquisite affair with the Grand Old Fashioned.
Not too long before Thanksgiving, Los Angeles experienced a deluge of what my cat refers to as sky water. And yes, my feline friend can speak our language fluently. He sounds like James Mason even, and sometimes Matt Berry. It’s very amusing. Anyway, I’m speaking of all the recent rainstorms we had. And when it rains in the City of Angels, it may as well snow. People will literally not leave the house, staying safely indoors as the LA River swells. This town just isn’t used to being wet anymore, unfortunately.
I love a rainy day, being a writer and all. You wrap yourself up in some blankets with a hot cup of java, then later a libation or two, all while listening to your favorite music and wrestling with the blank page. Those are the best days, as they always seem to be the most productive, creatively. Sure, your significant other is still yelling about the garbage not being taken out, but holy cow, have you seen how hard the rain is falling? The trash can wait. First, a drink.
And what better way to wet the whistle as the ground outside is awash in precipitation than with tonight’s tipple, the Grand Old Fashioned. A classic Old Fashioned would be a fine choice on its own, with its melding of rye whiskey, sugar and bitters, but this soggy eve we’re in the mood for something a tad more complex, robust and subtly fruity. And the Grand Old Fashioned will please, in the grandest way possible.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Grand Old Fashioned?
So what makes this cocktail “grand”, you might be asking? Our recipe is an Old Fashioned with a difference, in that you won’t need sugar, and the whiskey is an American dram, an aged and smooth bourbon. But the grand part is where it really shines, with the use of Grand Marnier, an orange liqueur that’s blended with a grape-distilled cognac. I made mine with a bottle of Bulleit bourbon (a favorite) and, of course, some smooth and rich Grand Marnier.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
- 1 ounce bourbon whiskey
- 3 dashes aromatic bitters
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the Grand Marnier, bourbon, and aromatic bitters into a rocks glass.
- Add a single large ice cube and stir gently for 30 seconds to chill the drink and slightly dilute it.
- Squeeze the orange twist above the glass to release its oils. Rub the twist around the rim, then drop it in as a garnish.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Pour and gently stir your cocktail in an Old Fashioned glass with a large ice cube, then express the oils from an orange twist over it and drop it in for garnish.
Can Cointreau be used in place of Grand Marnier?
I suppose it could, but the result will be a slightly lighter-tasting mixture, and it wouldn’t be “grand” anymore, would it?
Other Old Fashioned Variations Worth Trying
I went out with friends recently, and one of them ordered Old Fashioned after Old Fashioned, but each one was slightly different than the last. Curious about why, they simply said it’s their favorite cocktail, and appreciated how many different versions of it were available. And if you’re curious about this too, check out a few of the different takes on the legendary drink here.
- Wisconsin Old Fashioned – This version has a brandy base and a topping of lemon-lime soda.
- Smoked Old Fashioned – If it’s atmosphere and flavor you seek, this cocktail has it all.
- Irish Old Fashioned – A buttery dram from the Emerald Isle makes this sipper an extra smooth one.
- Gin-Campari Old Fashioned – A bitter and herbaceous take on the historic concoction.
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