Scotch Old Fashioned
The Scotch Old Fashioned: A Scottish Spin on America's Classic
The Scotch Old Fashioned emerged as a natural variation of the Old Fashioned cocktail, which dates back to the early 1800s as one of the original cocktail templates.
While the traditional Old Fashioned uses bourbon or rye whiskey, substituting Scotch became common as the spirit gained popularity in American bars during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, according to Liquor.com.
The cocktail follows the classic Old Fashioned formula of spirit, sugar, bitters, and a citrus peel. Using Scotch creates a different character than American whiskey, with malt sweetness and potential smoky notes replacing bourbon's vanilla and caramel, as noted in Difford's Guide.
The Scotch Old Fashioned has remained a staple variation throughout cocktail history, appreciated by drinkers who prefer Scotch's complexity. The drink demonstrates how the Old Fashioned template adapts to different base spirits while maintaining its essential simplicity.
RECIPE:
2 oz Scotch whisky
1/4 oz simple syrup (or 1 sugar cube)
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel for garnish
Method:
Add simple syrup (or muddle sugar cube with bitters and a splash of water) and bitters to a rocks glass.
Add Scotch and ice, stir to chill and dilute.
Express orange peel over the drink and garnish.