Excellence Old Fashioned Twist
A refined take on the classic old fashioned, layering bitters and orange essence for a cocktail of the highest quality. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together bourbon, rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water), 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 190 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 bourbon
- 0.25 oz rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water)
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 cube large clear ice cube
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 0.25 oz rich simple syrup and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon and one large clear ice cube to the mixing glass.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass over a fresh large clear ice cube.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the glass to release oils, then rub the peel on the rim and rest it inside the glass as garnish.
- Step 6: Serve immediately, savoring the complex aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Excellence Old Fashioned Twist 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 Excellence Old Fashioned Twist?
Refrigerate any leftover excellence 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 Excellence 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 Excellence 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 Excellence 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.
