There are many paths to the Old Fashioned, one of the oldest cocktails. Traditionalists use rye, which makes a slightly spicier drink. Bourbon makes a more buttery drink. Both are excellent.
For sweetening, you can use sugar, which is traditional, or warm up the drink with maple syrup.
An Old Fashioned likes some orange, which can come in the form of orange bitters, orange peel, or a splash of orange liqueur.
A dash of bitters and a Luxardo cherry, along with some juice from the jar, completes the drink. Forget about those bright red maraschino cherries you grew up with; this is a cherry that went to finishing school.
Sip and savor. It gets better as the ice melts and your body clock slows down to the pace of the drink.
Longtime Wichitan David Kamerer is on loan to Chicago, where he teaches at Loyola University.
OLD FASHIONED
2 ounces bourbon or rye
One teaspoon sugar or maple syrup
Angostura or aromatic bitters
Orange bitters, peel or liqueur
Luxardo cherry
Build drink over ice; give it 20-30 stirs to make colder and add a bit of water to the drink.
