Valentine's Day Cocktail Recipe: The Perfect Old Fashioned
There are only two ways to do Valentine's Day, really. You can either go out on the town and pay extra for prix fixe menus and wine pairings, or you can stay in for an intimate night at home. We prefer the second, obviously.
Whether you're celebrating with your longtime partner or a new special someone, there's nothing more romantic than making a meal together, putting on a classic record, and enjoying a few too many drinks together. With a little planning and creativity, you can outdo any night out and leave all the crowds behind.
We'll leave the Valentine's Day meal up to you and your individual cooking abilities, but we've got the pre-dinner drinks covered with our perfect Old Fashioned recipe. You don't have to be a mixologist to get this classic exactly right.
Old Fashioned Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 oz. rye or bourbon whiskey
- 1 Maraschino cherry
- Orange twist
Add sugar cube to a rocks glass and wet down with Angostura bitters and a splash of water. Using a muddler, large spoon, wooden handle, whatever, grind the sugar until it dissolves into the bitters and water.
Add ice and whiskey to the glass and stir. Drop in the cherry and rub the orange twist over the entire lip of the glass before adding. The zest from the orange peel will make that first sip all the better.
Serve your Valentine first, put on a Chet Baker record, and toast to the night.