An Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey cocktail that has been around since the 19th century. It’s made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey, and garnishing with an orange slice and cherry. There’s some debate around whether an Old Fashioned is supposed to be served cold or at room temperature.
Quick Answer
Traditionally, an Old Fashioned is supposed to be served without ice and at room temperature. However, over time it has become common to serve it on the rocks (over ice). Both versions are now accepted.
The History of the Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned dates back to the 1880s and was popularized at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The original recipe called for muddling sugar with water and bitters, adding whiskey, and serving it neat (without ice). The purpose was to highlight the flavors of the whiskey rather than mask them.
During Prohibition in the 1920s, the quality of whiskey dropped as bootleggers made bathtub gin. Bartenders began adding fruit slices and soda water to Old Fashioneds to mask the poor taste. And they served it over ice to make the drink more refreshing.
After Prohibition ended, the ice-and-fruit version of the Old Fashioned stuck. Both versions are now common and accepted ways to serve an Old Fashioned today.
Room Temperature vs On the Rocks
Here are the key differences between an Old Fashioned served at room temperature (neat) vs over ice (on the rocks):
| Room Temperature | On the Rocks |
|---|---|
| Highlights whiskey flavors | Mutes whiskey flavors slightly |
| Thicker, more syrupy texture | Thinner, more diluted texture |
| Warmer temperature allows aromas to emerge | Colder temperature numbs taste buds slightly |
| May taste more alcoholic | May taste less alcoholic |
An Old Fashioned served room temperature will accentuate the whiskey’s flavors and aromas. It will present a rich, viscous texture. And the alcohol may taste more sharp or potent.
An Old Fashioned served on the rocks will be more diluted, thinner in texture, and subtly muted in flavor. The cold temperature also numbs the taste buds a bit. Overall, it’s a bit more mellow version.
Preferences and Occasions
Whether you prefer an Old Fashioned room temperature or on the rocks often comes down to personal taste. Here are some factors that may influence your choice:
Whiskey Type
An Old Fashioned highlights the nuances of whiskey. If drinking a complex, high quality whiskey like a single malt scotch or small batch bourbon, you may want it at room temp to appreciate the flavors. With a more ordinary blended whiskey, chilling may make it more palatable.
Environment
A warmer environment calls for a chilled drink. Sitting outside on a summer day, an iced Old Fashioned may hit the spot better. In a cozy winter setting, a neat Old Fashioned may match the mood.
Personal Taste Buds
People who enjoy whiskey’s boldest flavors and a richer texture may prefer room temperature. Those who favor a smoother, more muted experience may like it over ice.
Pace of Drinking
A room temperature Old Fashioned can be enjoyed slowly, while one on the rocks is often drunk more quickly before it gets diluted or warm. So on a leisurely night, served neat may work. But on a busy night, on the rocks may make more sense.
Other Ingredients
If additional ingredients like soda water are added, chilling and ice make more sense to balance and dilute the drink.
How Should It Be Served?
Because tastes vary so widely, the ideal way to serve an Old Fashioned is to offer it both ways and let the drinker decide:
- Serve one neat in a rocks glass at room temperature.
- Serve one on the rocks in the same glass type.
This allows the drinker to choose their preferred version for the occasion, environment, whiskey type, and personal tastes.
Conclusion
While traditionally an Old Fashioned is served at room temperature without ice, chilled and on the rocks is now equally acceptable. Offering both options is ideal. The drinker can then decide whether they want the richer, more spirited neat version that highlights the whiskey’s flavors, or the smoother, more refreshing iced version.
With its history dating back over 100 years, part of the beauty of the Old Fashioned is tailoring it to individual preferences. The most important part is using quality whiskey and ingredients – then simply serve it at the temperature you enjoy best.