Classic Brandy Old Fashioned with Sugar and Bitters
A timeless cocktail mixing brandy with sugar and bitters, stirred and garnished with an orange twist for a smooth, warming sip. This recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together Brandy, Sugar cube, Angostura bitters for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Brandy
- 1 piece Sugar cube
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 piece (for garnish) Orange peel
- 1 cup Ice cubes
The shaker and jigger we’d mix this with → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 sugar cube in an old-fashioned glass and saturate with 3 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Step 2: Add a splash (about 1 tsp) of water and muddle the sugar cube until dissolved.
- Step 3: Fill the glass with 1 cup of ice cubes, then pour in 2 oz of brandy.
- Step 4: Stir gently for 20 seconds until the drink is chilled and well mixed.
- Step 5: Express the oils of 1 orange peel over the glass by twisting it, then drop it in as garnish.







