Old Fashioned Recipe

This homemade Cheesecake Factory Old Fashioned is a chill, no-fuss version of the bar classic — smooth bourbon, a little sweet, with a hit of citrus and cherry. Comes together fast, barely any cleanup, and yeah… it just works when you’re too tired to think.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 5 mins
• Cook time: 0 mins
• Flavor: warm, boozy, hint of sweet + citrus
• Great for: lazy nights, after-work resets, solo unwind time

Why I Like This Recipe

Not gonna lie, I made this one night out of boredom. Had bourbon, some leftover orange slices, a single sad cherry in the fridge door… and honestly? It tasted way better than I expected. It’s become my go-to nightcap ever since. No bar tools, no shaker, no drama. Just pour, stir, sip. Done.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp simple syrup
• 1 tsp water
• 2 dashes bitters
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1½ oz bourbon
• 1 slice orange
• 1 maraschino cherry

How To Make Old Fashioned Drink Recipe

1. Start simple: Grab your whiskey glass. Syrup, water, bitters — dump ’em in. Stir for a sec.
2. Add the good stuff: Ice in next, then pour in the bourbon. Stir again, just a few turns.
3. Finish it off: Toss in an orange slice and a cherry. That’s it. Nothing wild.
4. Drink: It’s ready. Take a sip. Let your shoulders drop a little.

Tips for Success

• Don’t skip the water — it smooths out the bite.
• Use big ice cubes if you have ‘em — they melt slower.
• Stir just enough to chill, not water it down.
• Bourbon matters here — don’t use anything too rough.
• Garnish last so it looks nice. Or don’t. Who cares.

Storage and Reheating

You don’t. Just make it fresh when you want it.
If you’re being weirdly efficient, you can premix the syrup + bitters + water and keep that in the fridge. Saves like 15 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use regular sugar?
  Sure. Takes longer to dissolve though. Syrup’s easier.
• What kind of bourbon?
  Anything decent. Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, Buffalo Trace… whatever’s around.
• Skip the cherry?
  Yeah. Or go fancy and use a dark cherry if you’re feeling it.
• Don’t have bitters?
  You’ll miss the flavor, but the drink still works. Maybe add a tiny splash of orange juice instead.
• Too strong?
  Add a bit more water or ice. Or sip slower. Or both.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Overstirring:
  Makes it watery. Just stir 10–15 seconds. Chill it, don’t drown it.
• Crushed ice?
  Nah. Melts too fast. Use cubes — the bigger the better.
• No bitters = kinda boring:
  It’s not wrong, but it’s flat. Even a cheap bottle helps.
• Bad bourbon:
  If it tastes like paint thinner, the drink’s not gonna save it.
• Rushing it:
  Weirdly, it’s better when you go slow. Pour, stir, sip. That’s the rhythm.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~150 kcal
• Total Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Potassium: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: ~5g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: ~5g
• Protein: 0g