A little Amaro goes a long way in the Italian Old Fashioned.
I was running an upscale tavern on the edge of the city limits. It was an odd spot, in the middle of nothing and yet surrounded by everything. The tiny roadside establishment sat alone, with tall skyscrapers in the distance rising up into the dark heavens. Usually, we had one or two regulars at this time of the evening, but tonight another guest came by.
After wiping up a little club soda that had spilled while I was tending bar, my server came running up to me from outside, where the patio is. The expression in their eyes surprised me, as they looked a little nervous. And my employees were never perturbed by anything. They whispered in my ear that a certain “gentleman” from the city was here and wanted a specific drink. I looked past the server and out the door, and only saw a pair of shiny saddle shoes peeking into view. Could this be the same “gentleman” that was all over the news lately? Whether he was or wasn’t, a customer is a customer.
And this fellow requested something called an Italian Old Fashioned, which I knew quite well. Grabbing the Amaro, I proceeded to mix up the classic, adding the bitter Italian liqueur to it. I held my breath as the cocktail went out to him. All I could see was the tapping of those fancy toes. Then moments later, his hand came into view. And it gave me something akin to the “chef’s kiss” gesture. Finally, I could breathe a sigh of relief.
The “gentleman” never returned, but if he ever does find his way back here, I’ll keep the Amaro handy.
What is the best alcohol to use in an Italian Old Fashioned?
As Amaro is a biting and bitter cordial, a spicy rye whiskey or an aged and smoky bourbon will both mix well with it. The Old Fashioned is a classic and full-bodied dram, and the Italian version of it adds an extra layer of complexity and flavor by having Amaro join the party. Bulleit makes both splendid rye whiskies and bourbons, and I’ll often grab a bottle of each and trade off which one I’ll use when making cocktails with them. It’s a great way to see which spirit you think works best when mixing with them.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1/2 ounce Amaro
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 orange peel for garnish
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add the bourbon or rye whiskey, Amaro, and bitters.
- Fill the mixing glass with ice. Stir well for about 30 seconds to dilute and chill the drink thoroughly.
- Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel and a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Take a large and clear cocktail cube and gently pop it into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass, then pour your beverage in. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange peel on top.
What makes this drink an “Italian” one?
The use of the Italian liqueur Amaro has inspired this drink to be called an Italian one, which is a fun way to distinguish this recipe from other Old Fashioneds.
Other Old Fashioned variations worth trying
Once I was out with friends, and we all ended up at a nice steakhouse, eating appetizers and ordering drinks. My friend ordered a different Old Fashioned every round, and I told myself that the next time we were out, I’d do the same. But you don’t have to wait, as Twist & Toast has a great selection of Old Fashioned recipes that you can try out at home.
- Brandy Old Fashioned – A classic take on the original that began life in Wisconsin.
- Rum Old Fashioned – Here’s a rich and spiced tipple.
- Smoked Old Fashioned – Add a little atmosphere to your next cocktail hour with this recipe.
- Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned – When the leaves start falling, the Pumpkin Spice starts flowing.
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