I've been obsessed with making old fashioneds every which way I can think of the last few weeks, and have mixed in some Sazerac Cocktails to mix it up....so the whole bottle was used in cocktails. I honestly don't know how it is on the rocks. I guess I need to get another bottle to find out!
There are so many permutations of the old fashioned, and going through them was part of the fun. I have pretty much settled on the following two as my "go to":
If I want it relatively strong:
IN A MIXING GLASS
3/4 oz of simple syrup (or a sugar cube muddled in a little water)
3 good dashes of Angostura Bitters
2 oz of rye or bourbon
A few whole ice cubes
Stir till chilled, this chills and dilutes slightly
Strain into a rocks glass over one of those huge single ice cubes (I have a mold)
Using a sharp knife, cut a piece of orange zest to use as a twist. Just the zest, none of the white part. Twist the zest over the drink and drop in. The zest is the secret. It releases the orange oils and gives it that orange smell and flavor without having to muddle a slice of orange and dilute the drink.
If I want it a little weaker:
IN A ROCKS GLASS
3/4 oz of simple syrup (or a sugar cube muddled in a little water)
3 good dashes of Angostura Bitters
2 oz of rye or bourbon
about half a glass of "cracked" ice (crack the cubes with a spoon)
Stir till chilled. Then add the rest of the cracked ice.
Using a sharp knife, cut a piece of orange zest to use as a twist. Just the zest, none of the white part. Twist the zest over the drink and drop in.
The cracked ice in this one gives you some small and some large pieces of ice. The small pieces melt quickly diluting the drink more than the first version.
I have made them muddling the orange, muddling an orange and a cherry etc etc. They are all good. I just prefer the simpler ones above.
Champagnes in the Oil Center has a very good selection of liquor. Philippes on Ambassador Caffery next to Charlie G's has an eclectic mix of all kinds of liquor. I have noticed that Sams has a limited selection of Bourbons (Wild Turkey, Elijah Craig and Makers Mark) at fairly good prices. They also have the Jack Daniels and other liquors at fairly good prices if you are looking for mixers.
I went to Sams tonight an made a list of what they had . In addition to the above they had Knob Creek ($27.98). 1792 ($24.28) Jim Beam Devils Cut ($16.98), Basil Haydens ($33.98) and Sazerac Rye $21.94).
The Sazerac is awesome. But man I feel like an old alchoholic drinking that one. :-)
I make them just like this, but I do use simple syrup instead of a sugar cube, just easier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfhaxHYb46E
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I did not know about Champagnes in the Oil Center selling good bourbon. Philippes I found a little on the high side, but still a very nice selection.
If you want to learn about bourbons go to Joey's on Bertrand. Make sure to talk to Joey, he very friendly and helpful. You can also sample some of his bourbons. Also Ambassador Wine and Spirits on 2305 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, the gentleman that owns the place use to work at Marcelo's and if very knowledgeable.
Marcello's Wine Market has a very good collection. If you are looking for some of the high end harder to find, make sure to go to the glass cases by the wines. The opposite side as the bourbons that are on the shelves.
I have started a Facebook page for Lafayette, LA Bourbon Drinkers for those that want to share more info. I will send the link later. Our hope is to find some people that are willing to split the more expensive bottles so that we can at least try them before spending a lot of money for a bottle on our own.
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