How to Level Up Your Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned has ranked as one of the most popular cocktails this past decade, thanks in large part to the interest in brown spirits. The classic — a mixture of whiskey (typically rye or bourbon) or sometimes brandy, sugar and bitters, can be a canvas for innovation, according to Daniel Lagestee, beverage supervisor at Journeyman Distillery.

A family-owned operation, Journeyman specializes in certified organic rye, bourbon, wheat whiskeys and other craft spirits. Lagestee oversees the bar and cocktail programs at the brand’s two distilleries in Three Oaks, MI, and Valparaiso, IN.

He and his team created the entire Old Fashioned section of the menu, with expressions using everything from bacon-washed whiskey to fig-infused rye. They even offer a $2,000 barrel of any of their Old Fashioneds for the big spenders — serving up to 200 people with glassware included. 

How can you upgrade your Old Fashioneds with your own riffs on the classic? Lagestee has a few tips.

Give rye a try

Lagestee has noticed a shift away from traditional bourbons to more rye-forward whiskeys, such as Journeyman’s Last Feather Rye or Bulleit rye. “These whiskeys provide a softer and subtly sweeter base spirit that tends to play well in the Old Fashioned format,” he says.

Switch up your base spirits

 Adjusting the core spirits in an Old Fashioned has been one of the pillars of modern mixology, Lagestee notes. His favorite example of this trend is the Oaxacan Old Fashioned from the famed New York City bar Death & Co., made with reposado tequila and mezcal.

“By using these spirits, you replicate the smoky and oaked characteristics of whiskey but create something entirely new,” he says. “Flaming the orange rind as garnish allows the oils to be toasted. Any spirit that has seen the inside of a barrel plays very well in this style of cocktail.”

Give your spirits a fat wash

One of Lagestee’s favorite ways to elevate an Old Fashioned is by fat-washing the spirits. He recommends using brown butter to add depth and a nutty flavor during colder months. For those looking to be more adventurous, Lagestee suggests savory options such as duck fat, which he has used to make an herbaceous Old Fashioned with rosemary and poultry seasoning.

Bitters matter

Any style of bitters can work, Lagestee says, depending on the cocktail’s desired profile. For Journeyman’s special Valentine’s Day Old Fashioned, for example, he used cocoa bitters, house-made raspberry liqueur and orange marmalade syrup. “The slight hint of chocolate from the cocoa bitters plays well with the raspberry and orange flavors and provided a hint of dryness that allowed the cocktail to excel.”

Experiment with different fruits 

 You can swap out the classic orange peel to highlight different flavors. Lagestee recommends experimenting with different stone fruits, as tropical fruits tend to be too sweet and overpower the balance of the cocktail.

“Peaches make a great addition to an Old Fashioned, especially if they are grilled first,” he notes. “Here at Journeyman, we also love using a mission fig-infused rye to create a delightful Old Fashioned with a proper balance of sweet and savory notes.”

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