We Ask the Team at ANGOSTURA® bitters about the Iconic Old Fashioned Cocktail

Behind the Bar: The Old Fashioned

Few cocktails have achieved the staying power of the Old Fashioned. Rooted in simplicity and defined by balance, this iconic serve has evolved alongside bartending itself—shifting eras, crossing borders, and adapting to local flavor while staying true to its original DNA: spirit, sugar, bitters, water.

At the heart of its enduring appeal? ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters. Essential to the drink’s structure, Angostura has long been considered a non-negotiable by bartenders across the globe. We sat down with the team behind the iconic cocktail ingredient to talk about why the Old Fashioned remains a benchmark for quality, how bitters elevate every component, and what happens when you let simplicity shine.

Angostura is considered essential to a proper Old Fashioned. Why do you think this cocktail has stood the test of time?

The Old Fashioned is known all over the world. It has stood the test of time because it’s simple, balanced, and timeless—spirit, sugar, bitters, and water. Even the earliest definition of the word cocktail in its composition created the perfect Old Fashioned Cocktail. ANGOSTURA® bitters give it depth and consistency, making it a classic across generations.

What role do bitters play in balancing the Old Fashioned, and how does Angostura elevate the drink?

ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters balance sweetness and strength by adding complexity. It highlights hidden flavors and elevates the drink with its spice, herbal, and citrus notes that bring harmony to the whiskey’s richness

Have you seen any global or regional twists on the Old Fashioned that really impressed you?

The Old Fashioned is a timeless classic. Prohibition during the 1920s assisted in the exportation of cocktail culture which saw the Old Fashioned be created in other regions around the world. Global twists include using rum in the Caribbean, tequila or mezcal in Mexico, and sake in Japan. Each adapts the template beautifully while staying true to the Old Fashioned’s DNA. Well balanced, delicious and sophisticated cocktail when made correctly.

What’s the most common mistake bartenders make when building an Old Fashioned?

The most common mistake is overcomplicating (ex: too much sugar or too many ingredients). The beauty of the Old Fashioned is in its simplicity. The Old Fashioned should be clean, spirit-forward, and restrained.

Bitters are often described as the ‘salt and pepper’ of cocktails. What makes Angostura bitters uniquely suited to the Old Fashioned?

ANGOSTURA bitters are unique because of its bold, balanced blend of secret herbs, spices and botanicals. ANGOSTURA aromatic bitters have enough depth to cut through and complement strong base or spirits forward cocktails, making it irreplaceable in an Old Fashioned. ANGOSTURA bitters are a classic that adds flavor to cocktails as well as enhances existing flavors.

How would you describe the perfect Old Fashioned?

The perfect Old Fashioned is spirit-forward, subtly sweet, aromatic with ANGOSTURA bitters. Stirring with the correct ice would allow just enough dilution to open up the flavors—a drink that feels both simple and sophisticated. A global classic that has stood the test of time.

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