Jim Beam Old Fashioned co*cktail Recipe | Smells Like Delish (2024)

This easy-to-make classic Jim Beam Old Fashioned co*cktail is an iconic drink that's popularity hasn't wavered over the test of time.

This simple yet sophisticated concoction captures the essence of classic co*cktails – just a few high-quality ingredients, expertly mixed, to deliver a taste that's timeless and utterly satisfying.

Why You'll Love This co*cktail Recipe

The smoothness, incredible depth of flavor, and modern variations make the Old Fashioned one of the most popular drinks in history.

Here's why anyone who loves to entertain should consider adding this Jim Beam Old Fashioned to their repertoire!

• Smooth and versatile: Jim Beam's signature honeyed sweetness and oaky notes provide a perfect foundation for the Old Fashioned, complementing the bitters and sugar without overpowering them.
• Accessible and affordable: While premium bourbons offer their own unique flavors, Jim Beam delivers exceptional quality at a price that won't break the bank, making it ideal for home bartenders and co*cktail enthusiasts.

The Debate: Manhattan vs. Old Fashioned

There is confusion about the difference between a classic, Old Fashioned and a classic Manhattan.

Traditionally, Old Fashioned co*cktails use good barrel aged bourbon, bitters, a sugar cube, ice, and just orange rind for garnish. That's it folks. You don't use cherries in an Old Fashioned.

On the other hand, a Manhattan co*cktail uses similar ingredients (sweet vermouth, or brandy, sometimes bourbon), but with the addition of brandied or Maraschino cherries as a garnish.

For a Wisconsin Old Fashioned, traditionally Korbel Brandy is used in place of bourbon. Still no cherries. And, just like the Old Fashioned has a brandy counterpart, so does the Manhattan.

You can have sweet vermouth, brandy, and bourbon Manhattans. Confusing yes?

Jim Beam Old Fashioned Ingredients

Since the bourbon is the highlight of this co*cktail, you do need a good barrel aged bourbon for this bourbon centric co*cktail. Jim Beam bourbon makes a good classic, affordable Old Fashioned.

Lower in this post I have some variations to adapt this Old Fashioned recipe into a Maple Brown Sugar Old Fashioned, and it's delicious!

• Bourbon - Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Angels Envy, Knobb Creek, or whatever barrel aged bourbon you have on hand.
• Bitters - also known as Angostura Bitters, a blend of orange bitters and spices. An essential ingredient for an Old Fashioned co*cktail, but you can use bitters in your cooking marinades for fabulous flavor also!
• Sugar cubes - one sugar cube for each co*cktail. You can also use Simple syrup, Brown sugar, and Maple sugar for non traditional Old Fashioned flavor profiles!
• Orange Peel strips- The essential and quintessential garnish that makes a true, Classic Old Fashioned co*cktail. Use a potato or vegetable peeler to get ¼" to ½" wide strips of orange peel, about 2" long. You need two per co*cktail.

How To Make a Jim Beam Old Fashioned

Whether you are an experienced mixologist or a beginner learning the ropes of bar tending, there is something special about this timeless classic that appeals to all types of tastes.

Read on for all you need to know about crafting the perfect Old Fashioned co*cktail!

Prepare The Sugar Cube

1. Place your old fashioned or 'on the rocks' co*cktail glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This will keep your drink colder with less ice melting and spirits dilution.
2. Drop a sugar cube into the bottom of a mixing glass. Shake anywhere from 6 to 12 drops of the Angostura bitters on to the sugar cube. Start with 6, you can add more bitter drops to your drink later after it is mixed, if you want more.

Muddle The Sugar Cube

Use the muddler to stomp on it a few times at the bottom of the glass to release the orange essence into the bitters and sugar mixture.

3. Crush the sugar cube using a co*cktail muddler. After crushing the sugar cube, add one strip of orange peel to the glass (¼" to ½" wide, about 2" long).

Add The Ice And Bourbon

4. Toss a few large pieces of ice into the mixing glass. Pour your Jim Beam bourbon into the glass over the ice.

Mix Your co*cktail Ingredients

5. Stir your drink until the sugar is dissolved. If the sugar does not want to dissolve easily, you can also add the bourbon before adding the ice. Either way, stir well to mix the components.
6. Remove your chilled old fashioned or 'on the rocks' co*cktail glass from the freezer and pour the contents of your mixing glass into the chilled co*cktail glass. Rub the second strip of orange peel along the rim of the co*cktail glass to finish this classic co*cktail.

Alternatively, you can use the glass you will serve your co*cktail in for mixing, it just won't be as chilled.

Now you know why James Bond's famous "Shaken, Not Stirred" request was important for his vodka martini. He would have a diluted co*cktail, essential for a spy maintaining his wits.

NOTE: co*cktails that are spirits, liqueurs and fortified wines only (this includes the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Martini, and Negroni), should be stirred, not shaken.

This method combines the flavors less aggressively than using a co*cktail shaker. By minimizing the amount of dilution, you get a better balanced co*cktail.

Tips for Success

• Remember, for a TRUE Old Fashioned, you NEVER add cherries. Cherries are for Manhattan co*cktails.
• Put your 'on the rocks' co*cktail glasses, or old fashioned glasses in the freezer before making your Old Fashioned or Manhattan co*cktail.
• Some of the best bourbon for Old Fashioned co*cktails is Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek regular or their flavors, Angels Envy.
• Orange peel is the key garnish. Use a vegetable peeler to get a nice, healthy piece of rind to rim the glass and flavor the co*cktail. That tiny bit of orange essential oil adds to the overall taste experience of your Old Fashioned.

Substitutions and Variations

Some terrific Old Fashioned substitutions and variations to try:

A inexpensive brandy is a better substitute than a cheap bourbon when making a smooth tasting Old Fashioned co*cktail,

When faced with that economic calculus of cheap bourbon over expensive bourbon, and your pocket book is screaming cheap, opt for the Korbel brandy that's used to make a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. You'll still have a nice and smooth Old Fashioned co*cktail.

• Maple Brown Sugar Old Fashioned - Use 1 teaspoon of brown sugar instead of the sugar cube. Use Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon in place of the Jim Beam Bourbon. Prepare just like the Jim Beam Old Fashioned.
• Wisconsin Old Fashioned - Substitute the barrel aged bourbon for Korebel or other brandy for a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned co*cktail!
• Brandy Manhattan - When making your Manhattan, replace the the sweet vermouth with brandy.
• Bourbon Manhattan - When making your Bourbon Manhattan, replace the the sweet vermouth with a barrel aged bourbon.

Serving Suggestions

From Negronis to Manhattans and everything in between, these timeless concoctions have had a resurgence of modern appeal.

Whether it's the rich flavors or elegant presentation that entices you, there's countless reasons to serve and enjoy a Old Fashioned co*cktail.

For more classic co*cktails see our Grasshopper Martini, Cheesecake co*cktails, and Casino Royale Martini.

• Tequila Sunrise co*cktails
• Old Fashioned Stuffed Peppers
• Apple Cider Bourbon co*cktail
• 30 Minute Bourbon Chicken Skillet
• Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham
• Cheesecake co*cktails

Equipment

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