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Evan Williams

Elijah Craig® Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Whiskey. Bardstown, KY 47% Alc./Vol. © 2021.

Mix an
old fashioned

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Get a head start on Old Fashioned Week 2021 by
learning to make this classic Bourbon cocktail.

Get Recipe

HISTORY OF THE
OLD FASHIONED

In 1789, the Rev. Elijah Craig became the
first to char oak barrels. Less than 20 years
later, the Old Fashioned was born. Discover
the origins of the world's first classic
cocktail with the Father of Bourbon.

1806 "THE WHISKEY COCKTAIL"

The Old Fashioned was originally known as ‘the whiskey cocktail’ and was traditionally consumed in the morning. “During the early years of it’s prominence, the drink was widely regarded as a ‘matutianal cocktail’ — that is, you drank it in the morning.”

1862 "The Cocktail Defined"

In 1862 it first appeared in a book written by Jerry Thomas, where he "defined the Whiskey Cocktail as a couple of dashes of Boker’s bitters, twice as many dashes of gum syrup and a 'wine glass' of whiskey."

"Cycle of Advancement
and Correction"

"The history of the cocktail is one of advancement and correction, fashion and backlash. As soon as a new mixing method or ingredient surfaces, the restlessly curious bartending community has at it, turning out newfangled creations until the barroom standard bearers cry "Hold!" Such is the story of the advent of the Old Fashioned."

1880s "Name is Widely Used"

In 1880’s the term Old Fashioned was born and began being widely used. "[Leander] Richardson neatly delineated the new fashion for old-style drinking. As he indicated in his complaint his call for "old-fashioned cocktails" was being seconded by others. Soon enough the name would stick, moving from generic term to specific order."

1930s "Muddled Fruit Addition"

After prohibition, fruit became widely used as an ingredient versus a garnish. A 1936 New York Times letter to the editor states, "the present customs were adopted during prohibition to disguise the horrible taste of terrible liquor."

2010 "The Old Fashioned Returns
to its Roots"

"By the end of the first decade of the current century, the vast majority of the country’s best mixologists recoiled at the very suggestion of fruit in an Old-Fashioned."

2015-Present "The World's #1
Classic Cocktail"

The Old Fashioned is recognized as
the World’s #1 Classic Cocktail by Drinks International