Dayton Old Fashioned Twist

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smooth, spirit-forward cocktail featuring bourbon with a hint of orange and bitters, inspired by classic Midwestern flavors. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 4 minutes brings together bourbon, simple syrup, 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 195 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.

Prep: 4 min Serves 1 Cocktails cuisine 195 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube in a rocks glass.
  2. Step 2: Pour 2 oz bourbon and 1/4 oz simple syrup over the ice.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters.
  4. Step 4: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill the drink and slightly dilute.
  5. Step 5: Express the oils of a wide strip of orange peel over the surface, twist it to release more oils, then rub the peel along the rim and rest it on the edge as garnish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Dayton Old Fashioned Twist take to make?

Total time is about 4 minutes (4 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 Dayton Old Fashioned Twist?

Refrigerate any leftover dayton old fashioned twist 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 Dayton Old Fashioned Twist?

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 Dayton Old Fashioned Twist 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 Dayton Old Fashioned Twist?

Cocktails 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.