This week I thought about pitting two cocktails against each other in honor of the Super Bowl. Then I realized this is the 10-Minute Happy Hour, emphasis on the minute, and two cocktails wouldn't quite fit our need for speed. Instead I chose one ultimate cocktail that will have you coming out the victor — no matter which team you're rooting for.
Like any drink, if you begin with quality ingredients, you'll end up with much better results. This week, I took a small batch rye from the bar. Made by Knob Creek, the bottle bears a tiny red insignia that states, "Patiently Aged." Now that's how you get a great happy hour in 10 minutes: let someone else do the hard part!
The artisan craze and the bourbon boom have led to a spike in small batch bourbon production. As the name states, this bourbon is indeed made in smaller batches. Typically, small batch spirits pour up a pre-prohibition style of booze, meaning they are in your face with flavor and aromas and there's no holding back on the alcohol. This puppy is 100 proof, but you would never know it. It's extremely smooth with vanilla and warm spices — perfect for pairing with orange essence.
Today's cocktail puts an orange spin on the classic Old-Fashioned with a fat slice of orange peel and orange bitters instead of the traditional Angostura. In these wintry months, I prefer the spice of rye instead of traditional bourbon, so into this drink went the Knob Creek Small Batch Rye Whiskey.
Pour one tonight and you'll see: you'll be craving this on Super Bowl Sunday, too!
Orange Old-Fashioned
Makes one drink1 sugar cube, or 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
3 dashes of orange bitters
Splash of club soda
Large peel of orange zest
2 ounces rye
In an old-fashioned, or short, glass place the sugar cube (or 1/2 teaspoon of sugar). Add the bitters and a splash of soda.
Use a muddler or a spoon to crush up the sugar until it is dissolved. I like to add the orange peel here too. Squeeze it to express the oils, run it around the rim of the glass and muddle it right in with the bitters and sugar. This gets the most fresh orange flavor into the cocktail.
Add ice and rye. Stir and enjoy.
Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices, and advice with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on twitter @maureenpetrosky
(Images: Maureen Petrosky)
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LOVE that glassware.
Has anyone the real measure for a 'splash'? I'm a very unprecise person, so.... I think I should have a glimmer of an idea as to what comprises a splash. HELP! Thanks ever so much!
Judy
I like to make an "Old Fashioned Martini" sometimes. It's a bit odd, but some people like it. It is definitely sweeter
2 shot of Southern Comfort
4 dashes of bitters
a splash of simple syrup
a splash of orange juice
shake vigorously, serve up with a splash of soda. Garnish with a cherry and a orange twist.
My original design was more like a traditional old fashioned, except with southern comfort, but in a bar environment it took too long to prepare, so we ended up with this simplified design.
Judy- sometimes a splash is proportional to the drink you are making, so that's why those of us drink mixers tend to leave this vague. For this drink I would suggest 1 tablespoon or 1/2 an ounce of club soda. Hope that helps!
No cherry?
club soda??? in an old fashioned??? well, i never! ;) and yes, i agree... no cherry?
Judy....I don't know if there's a precise measurement for a "splash" but you might consider making this, or another, cocktail, measuring small amounts of those "splash" ingredients and adding more until you find the right amount for your personal taste. Then you'll know how much is your perfect splash.
Can't say I'm wild about replacing Angostura with orange bitters. Angostura bitters have such a particular flavour that it doesn't really seem like an Old Fashioned without them. Also, orange bitters and orange zest seem a little redundant. I'd forgo the soda splash as well - it just waters down the bourbon.
Oh and as for the cherry, I'm all in favour....just not a gross, artificial maraschino - definitely a homemade cocktail cherry of some sort.
I'm going to go ahead and be the one person in favor of a little bit of soda, though honestly I'd probably just use seltzer water instead of club soda. I love, love love bourbon and whiskey, and I find that a little water can really bring out the flavor of the bourbon, the trick is to find the right amount, enough to really heighten the taste of the booze, not so much that it gets watered down. For me, 2 oz of liquor I'd add maybe a teaspoon or two of water. So, a small splash for this drink. :)
One sugar cube is usually equal to a full teaspoon, rather than a half, which you give as an alternative. Did you use a sugar cube or a half teaspoon of loose sugar in creating this drink? (Although obviously, everyone should make their drinks to taste. Just curious what the intended flavor is.)
I love the glassware in the photos! Where's it from?
mmmm I love an Old Fashioned. But no club soda, ever! I agree, a cherry only if it's home-made. We have a great bar here in Houston that makes it's own Marischino (sp?) cherries, although they don't put them in Old Fashioneds. Buffalo Trace is my go-to bourbon, though Knob Creek is very good, too. A great, boozy drink. Really relaxing.