AMERICAN FOODIE: Mark Twain Old Fashion Cocktail

Mark Twain

And His FAVORITE COCKTAIL

American author Mark Twain's most notable claim to fame is penning "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The only thing that may have rivaled the prose he poured from his pen is his love for the alcohol he poured into his glass. When Twain wasn't working on his storytelling, he developed a fondness for scotch whisky and for one drink in particular that seem very similar to a smooth old fashioned cocktail.

While a traditional old fashioned relies on a simple syrup or a sugar cube and some Angostura bitters and is served with an orange twist, Twain was partial to a different citrus. The satirist revealed his affinity for this whiskey cocktail in a letter to his wife in 1874 while he was in London, writing, "Livy my darling, I want you to be sure & remember to have, in the bath-room, when I arrive, a bottle of Scotch whisky, a lemon, some crushed sugar, & a bottle of Angostura bitters" (per The New York Times). In fact, Twain liked it so much he confessed that he was drinking it three times a day to aid with his digestion.

Classic OLD FASHION Cocktail

An old fashioned is a classic Whiskey Cocktail with bitters, simple syrup, and fruit. Experts believe the drink is called the "old fashioned" because it's one of the first widely known cocktails ever. The name comes from people ordering the drink the "old-fashioned way.

OLD FASHION COCKTAIL

Recipe

Ingredients :

1.5 ounces Bourbon or Rye Whiskey

1 slice of Orange

1/2 teaspoon Sugar (Optional)

ANGOSTORA BITTERS

ICE

1 Maraschino Cherry

1. Place the Orange slice and the Cherry in a Rock Glass. Add sugar and about 6 dashes of Angostura Bitters.

2. Muttle all together. Muttling is crushing and smashing the ingredients.

3. Fill glass with Ice Cubes.

4. Add the Whiskey and stir.

Notes : The original recipe for the Old Fashion cocktail, calls for sugar in the cocktail. Now adays, many do not want sugar in their Old Fashion, and the cocktail is most popular these days without it. It's personal preference.

Also, you can add a splash of Club Soda to the drink. Again personal preference.

Myself, "I prefer my Old Fashion without sugar with a splash of club soda on top.