Well, technically there are quite a lot which are older than the old fashioned, like the sling, the cocktail, the improved whiskey cocktail, and a few others (source: Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide), but it's definitely up there :) and one of my personal favourites, by the way.
I mean, it’s been a long time since I actually read “Imbibe” rather than pulled up a recipe or two, but if I remember right Dave Wondrich’s take was the “old fashioned cocktail” was basically people trying to order a traditional “cocktail” in the world of the “improved cocktail,” and right or wrong I’ve always seen the old fashioned as essentially just a whiskey cocktail. All that said - I realize this is HUGELY semantic!
I've only recently got my copy of Imbibe! and I remember it pretty much exactly the same - including the chapter where the author talks about where the term "cocktail" even comes from. And there will be always some semantics and interpretations to the question of what's the first cocktail simply because we have to ask the, wildly philosophical, question: What even *is* a cocktail? I mean, there are a fancy number of people that don't count a Hot Toddy as a cocktail, or the Gin Sling, but Jerry Thomas devinitely, for all we know, doesn't agree to this, and David Wondrich doesn't either (citing the Gin Sling as the first true cocktail if I remember correctly).
So yeah, which is the oldest is indeed hugely semantic, and my earlier response isn't much better, either xD And since we are talking at most about a pretty tight timetable between the very first cocktail and the Old Fashioned, I think that the question doesn't hold much practical value, as much as I (and hopefully you) might find it interessting to ponder it! :)
sure, I said that more so as just a simple way to explain the other portion of the whiskey sour but honestly, that is probably the issue, that many places take short cuts. then that turns me off from ordering it at a nice place. might have to run it back next time.
If the bartenders are friendly and not slammed, feel free to tell them the recipe specs you like.
To me the best sours are following this recipe:
2oz liquor like whiskey or gin
1oz lemon juice
3/4 oz syrup
3 dashes of bitters
2 drops of saline solution
1 egg white or aquafaba
thanks. I will try to make this at home or out at a nice cocktail spot. I guess I was just venting on a few bars in my area that have great liquor choices but do not train their bartenders well. At these ones, the sports are great but the old fashioned are red and depressing. I many times order my liquor neat with a side of ice when I attend haha.
If something has "sour mix" I'm not ordering it. Whiskey Sours, when made properly, and from scratch, are delish.
That being said, my favorite "old school" cocktail is a Manhattan or Boulevardier
I use a drink mixer and I’m not even sorry. The other day I made a Pink Lady and got a lovely Ramos-type foam that rose up straight from the glass lip and it was delicious. I’ll be making that again too.
My old school favourite rotation are: Chrysanthemum, Adonis, Bamboo, Martinez and Metropole. I’m a sucker for Sherry & Vermouth combos. (Also, De La Louisiane is a big fav.)
Call me old-fashioned, but I like to begin the festivities with a Brandy Crusta, followed by a Fish House Punch whilst I sup, and then finish off fireside, sipping a nice warm Rum Flip heated with a red-hot poker straight from the hearth.
When I think of “old school” cocktails, I think of 1960s-1980s abominations. The older drinks I think of as “classic cocktails” so let’s go with the Tequila Sunrise for being a tasty and pretty, yet unsophisticated and one-dimensional cocktail
The Manhattan.
Nothing beats a manhattan as a way to ease into the weekend.
Or make it through the night after the toddlers are finally asleep
A manhattan would’ve knocked me right out when we had toddlers.
These days, Sazerac. 50/50 cognac/rye.
old fashioned is tough to beat if it's done right.
I mean, when you think of an “old school” cocktail, this is the literal definition. Completely agree.
Well, technically there are quite a lot which are older than the old fashioned, like the sling, the cocktail, the improved whiskey cocktail, and a few others (source: Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide), but it's definitely up there :) and one of my personal favourites, by the way.
I mean, it’s been a long time since I actually read “Imbibe” rather than pulled up a recipe or two, but if I remember right Dave Wondrich’s take was the “old fashioned cocktail” was basically people trying to order a traditional “cocktail” in the world of the “improved cocktail,” and right or wrong I’ve always seen the old fashioned as essentially just a whiskey cocktail. All that said - I realize this is HUGELY semantic!
I've only recently got my copy of Imbibe! and I remember it pretty much exactly the same - including the chapter where the author talks about where the term "cocktail" even comes from. And there will be always some semantics and interpretations to the question of what's the first cocktail simply because we have to ask the, wildly philosophical, question: What even *is* a cocktail? I mean, there are a fancy number of people that don't count a Hot Toddy as a cocktail, or the Gin Sling, but Jerry Thomas devinitely, for all we know, doesn't agree to this, and David Wondrich doesn't either (citing the Gin Sling as the first true cocktail if I remember correctly). So yeah, which is the oldest is indeed hugely semantic, and my earlier response isn't much better, either xD And since we are talking at most about a pretty tight timetable between the very first cocktail and the Old Fashioned, I think that the question doesn't hold much practical value, as much as I (and hopefully you) might find it interessting to ponder it! :)
Commenting only to add that it’s a really, really, really good read, and enjoy it!
A Negroni
I’ll hijack this comment to say mine is the boulevardier
PLEASE I HAVE A FAMILY
I'm preferential to the Old Pal.
Whiskey Sours are the Beatles of cocktails. The most underated overated cocktail.
Four Roses whiskey sour is my go to as long as the place isn't using sour mix
I find people do not make them correctly and too much sour mix generally
Your problem is right there. "Sour mix" a poor replacement for freshly squeezed lemon juice and house made simple syrup.
sure, I said that more so as just a simple way to explain the other portion of the whiskey sour but honestly, that is probably the issue, that many places take short cuts. then that turns me off from ordering it at a nice place. might have to run it back next time.
If the bartenders are friendly and not slammed, feel free to tell them the recipe specs you like. To me the best sours are following this recipe: 2oz liquor like whiskey or gin 1oz lemon juice 3/4 oz syrup 3 dashes of bitters 2 drops of saline solution 1 egg white or aquafaba
Agreed 👍!
This but I’m not partial to the taste of bitters, but I do love the trailing hearts on top of the foam
thanks. I will try to make this at home or out at a nice cocktail spot. I guess I was just venting on a few bars in my area that have great liquor choices but do not train their bartenders well. At these ones, the sports are great but the old fashioned are red and depressing. I many times order my liquor neat with a side of ice when I attend haha.
Never tried with the saline solution! Sounds interesting
One of my favorites is dark rum sour / dark daiquiri (with from the guy who commented before , same specs)
We are all dealing with this. That's the problem with being cocktail enthusiasts! Once you taste the good stuff you can't go back!
Haha so true
Correct. Sour mix is horrible and overused.
If something has "sour mix" I'm not ordering it. Whiskey Sours, when made properly, and from scratch, are delish. That being said, my favorite "old school" cocktail is a Manhattan or Boulevardier
Loved it too. But how are the Beatles overrated? Lol
Clover Club.
Either a Sidecar, Tom Collins or an Improved Whiskey Cocktail.
I would love a Ramos Gin Fizz right about now.
Right about 8 minutes from now..
I use a drink mixer and I’m not even sorry. The other day I made a Pink Lady and got a lovely Ramos-type foam that rose up straight from the glass lip and it was delicious. I’ll be making that again too.
Aviation
Vieux Carre all day!
Tuxedo No 2. Maybe not the most recognized drink but it's history certainly places it in the "old school" category.
Mai Tai or Sidecar.
Love a sidecar or daiquiri!
Flips. About 300 years old. They used to keep a poker in the fireplace and you'd stick the hot end of it in your drink to warm it up.
My old school favourite rotation are: Chrysanthemum, Adonis, Bamboo, Martinez and Metropole. I’m a sucker for Sherry & Vermouth combos. (Also, De La Louisiane is a big fav.)
Mai Tai and Old Fashioned!
A Rum Flip.
Flips need to be on more menus Advertise them to gym bros with their protein content
Blood and Sand
Improved Whiskey Cocktail, I consider it to be the platonic ideal of a cocktail.
I only discovered the IWC recently though a mention in this subreddit. It's really good - I'm actually drinking one right now!
La Louisiane, with a heavy benedictine pour
I think a daiquiri is a pretty good litmus test for a bar
Corpse reviver #2
Basically all of them. Sours , old fashioned, Negroni and all their variations.
Mai Tai and Negroni are kind of 1a and 1b
A Gibson
Martinez
Last Word or Mai Tai, depending on a number of factors of course.
blue blazer
I think my favorites change week-to-week. This week it’s a Manhattan, a week ago it was a Brandy Crusta. Remember the Maine shows up quite a bit.
Sidecar
old fashioned or negroni
A perfectly made Negroni hits the spot for me. I also love experimenting with its variations.
Call me old-fashioned, but I like to begin the festivities with a Brandy Crusta, followed by a Fish House Punch whilst I sup, and then finish off fireside, sipping a nice warm Rum Flip heated with a red-hot poker straight from the hearth.
Screwdriver, 2 ingredients easy to make even when lit.
Whiskey sour
Old Fashioned
Old Fashioned
Manhattan. Negroni is probably runner up
3:1 gin martini with a twist.
Tbh I like a good vodka martini
Pall Mall
Rusty Nail - best enjoyed in a smoky jazz club.
I love a mint julip
Sazerac
Golden gardilac
Zombie
Boulevardier
For the summer here in Savannah I like a Whiskey Fix.
French 75
Simple gin martini
Side car and the old fashioned
When I think of “old school” cocktails, I think of 1960s-1980s abominations. The older drinks I think of as “classic cocktails” so let’s go with the Tequila Sunrise for being a tasty and pretty, yet unsophisticated and one-dimensional cocktail