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1 CLASSIC COCKTAIL.
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

Our 10-day celebration is held every October
in bars and restaurants nationwide. Each year,
we invite Bourbon fans to discover creative
twists on this perennial favorite, while raising
a glass for a great cause.

LEARN MORE

Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week returns in Fall 2023.
Check back for news & updates!

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 considered
"matutinal"; that is, it was generally
consumed in the morning.

1862 The Cocktail, Defined

Jerry Thomas's book, "The Bar-Tender's Guide," describes the whiskey cocktail as "a couple dashes of Boker's bitters, twice as many dashes of gum syrup, and a ‘wine glass' of whiskey."

1880s Name Comes Into Fashion

After years of cocktail experimentation and permutation, calls for a return to "old-style drinking" give rise to the name "Old Fashioned." The term is widely adopted.

1930s Muddled Fruit Addition

Fruit becomes widely used as an ingredient versus a garnish. A 1936 New York Times letter to the editor claims the trend began during Prohibition, "to disguise the horrible taste of terrible liquor."

2010 Returning to Its Roots

Most of the country's top mixologists shun the use of fruit in their Old Fashioned cocktails, using an orange swath or brandied cherry for garnish only.

2019 Recognizing the Greatness Within

Drinks International recognizes the Old Fashioned as the World's #1 Classic Cocktail for the fifth year in a row.

2020 Celebrating the Old Fashioned

Elijah Craig partners with PUNCH to host their first annual Old Fashioned Week. The event raises $100,000 to support bar & restaurant workers' affected by COVID-19.

Elijah Craig and Southern Smoke

Southern Smoke is a crisis relief organization
that provides a safety net for people in the
food and beverage industry.

Based in Houston, Texas, the foundation
provides direct funding to people in need:
whether they are battling physical or mental
health crises, rebuilding from storm damage
and other natural disasters, or recovering
from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.