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 general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together Brandy, Sugar cube, dashes 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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Brandy Old Fashioned with Sugar and Bitters take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Classic Brandy Old Fashioned with Sugar and Bitters?
Refrigerate any leftover classic brandy old fashioned with sugar and bitters in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Brandy Old Fashioned with Sugar and Bitters?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic Brandy Old Fashioned with Sugar and Bitters for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic Brandy Old Fashioned with Sugar and Bitters?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
