If you are privy to the classic Old-Fashioned cocktail, but you are looking for something similar, minus the alcohol, then this is the drink recipe for you.
If you were unaware that an alcohol-free version of this drink existed, you may be surprised to learn that not only is this Old Fashioned Mocktail relatively straightforward to create, but the taste is uncanny.
While many around the world are familiar with the classic version of this cocktail, and many might even class it as their favorite, others might have never even heard of this cocktail before, so let us explain what the class Old fashioned consists of, before we give you the ultimate recipe for making the Old Fashioned Mocktail.
What is an Old Fashioned?
So, what is an Old Fashioned we hear you ask? For those, not so familiar with cocktails, this is one of the age-old, classic cocktails which has been around a long time and has a very distinct look. The taste is typically sweet and sour, and it is served over ice, with a slice of orange and a cherry to garnish.
There is a distinct taste of Bourbon from the classic recipe, so those who are not fans of Borbon, but want to try out a virgin Old Fashioned Mocktail, can opt to make it with Barley Tea, which we will describe further on.
It is the first drink to have been labeled a ‘cocktail’ and was originally served at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, however, these days you can find this cocktail on just about every cocktail menu in the world.
It is said that any ‘real’ bartender or cocktail maker, should typically know how to make this classic cocktail, and it cannot be compared with more modern cocktails that have emerged in recent years.
Over the years the traditional recipe has not changed, and although some may change it slightly, it cannot really be called an Old Fashioned unless it has all the original components.
The History of the Old Fashioned
The name itself hints that there is some interesting history behind this ever-popular cocktail, and if you didn’t know where it came from, we are here to spill the beans. This drink is so special, that it even has its glass, in which it HAS to be served in, otherwise it’s just not the real deal, and many can spot exactly what you are drinking just from the way it is served.
As history would have it, this recipe used to be the definition of a ‘classic’ cocktail, which existed before cocktail making was even a thing, and before any specific instruments for making these said cocktails had even come about.
The traditional Old Fashioned called for whiskey as its base, mixed with sugar, bitters, and water, served over ice and garnished with a slice of orange and a cocktail cherry. The name Old Fashioned came about as a simple ‘definition’ of the word cocktail, back in 1806, when a reader of a newspaper article wrote in to ask what exactly a cocktail was.
The original name for this concoction was a ‘Bittered Sling’, which then simply became an Old Fashioned – which is what we know today.
When we look at the differences between the original recipe versus the Old Fashioned Mocktail, the main difference is that the mocktail uses an alcohol-free version of bourbon or the option of Barley tea, while the rest of the recipe remains the same.
The use of Angostura Bitters – which was first produced in Venezuela but has come to be made in Trinidad and Tobago, is used in both versions of the recipe, and this provides a distinct flavor.
Perfect With Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- 1 orange slice
- 1 dash of Angostura Bitters (Try not to use any other type of bitters)
- Barley tea or Non-alcoholic Whiskey
- 1 maraschino cherry – to garnish.
Instructions
Preperation
Step 1: You will need one Barley tea bag and 4 cups of water.
Step 2: Add the water to a large jug, followed by the tea bag.
Step 3: Place this into the fridge and leave for two hours to steep, and chill.
Instructions:
Step 1: Begin by placing the sugar cube, orange slice, and bitters at the bottom of a chilled glass.
Step 2: Muddle this together – using a bartender's tool called a muddler, which is used to mash the ingredients together to help release the flavors.
Step 3: Add in the ice, followed by the Barley tea, which you made earlier (Instructions on how to prepare this are above). The alternative option is to add in the non-alcoholic bourbon instead of the tea if you prefer.
Step 4: Stir together, serve in an Old-Fashioned glass and garnish with the maraschino cherry.
