It’s that time of year again when we get together with friends and family and enjoy delicious food and usually a bevy of beverages. And according to some local bartenders, there has been quite a resurgence of the classic cocktails, including the Old Fashioned in which some believe, when made correctly, is the epitome of class.

For you movie buffs out there, how can you forget the sexy scene in the 2011 comedy, Crazy Stupid Love where actor Ryan Gosling slowly and seductively makes a beautiful Old Fashioned complete with muddled sugar cube, jiggered whiskey, crystal clear ice and a large, fresh and juicy orange peel. Pure class.

Historians say the cocktail made its first appearance in 1806 when Harry Croswell wrote to a newspaper describing it as “a mixture of any type of spirit, water, sugar and bitters.” And in 1862, a drink that sort of resembles an Old Fashioned made its debut in a book entitled Jerry Thomas’ Bartenders Guide: How to Mix Drinks but his cocktail had gin in it and the classic and typical Old Fashioned is made with whiskey or bourbon. 

It appears that the drink gained popularity but no one for sure knows how it got its name although some believe it is a shortened version of “old fashioned style whiskey cocktail”. Author George Kappeler wrote about it in Modern American Drinks in 1895 and outlined the official recipe.  

According to an online publication, the Old Fashioned believe it or not was a morning drink, something bitter to enjoy before work because back then, doctors thought spirits had medicinal qualities and encouraged people to drink their spirits in the morning, even prescribing their patients whisky during the prohibition. 

So if you’re in the mood for something other than just a beer, hard cider or a vodka tonic, perhaps this holiday season, it’s time to try one of the classics… and don’t forget the orange peel.

Cheers!!!