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This Old Overholt Cocktail recipe was one of my favorites growing up. It’s a perfect drink to sip while watching the ball game with friends or during a kickback after work. You can use it as a base for many things, like whiskey sour and mojitos if you want.
What is the Old Overholt Cocktail?
Old Overholt is a rye whiskey that’s been made in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s. The distillery was founded by Casper F. Overholt, who opened it in 1810. It’s now owned by Heaven Hill Distilleries, and they still use the same recipe that Casper used over 200 years ago.
The cocktail was created in the 1930s by Harry Craddock, and it became popular during Prohibition because it came with a built-in chaser of water. It’s also called “Old Fashioned” because it was served in an old-fashioned glass instead of a cocktail glass. It’s traditionally made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar or simple syrup (or both), bitters, and water.
Ingredients
- 1 oz. rye whiskey
- 1/2 oz. Simple syrup
- 1 teaspoon angostura bitters
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Add 1 ounce of Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, 1 teaspoon of Angostura bitters, and 1/2 ounce of Simple syrup.
- Stir well for approximately 20 seconds or until chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice cubes and garnish with an orange twist if desired.
Tips
The Old Overholt Cocktail is a classic, but it’s definitely not perfect. Here are a few tips for making this cocktail the best it can be!
- Add more bitters: The Cocktail has a lot of rye flavor but not quite enough bitters. A few orange bitters can really bring out the orange notes in the whiskey and make your cocktail much more balanced.
- Add some ice cubes for a smoother drink: This might sound weird, but adding an ice cube or two to your Old Overholt Cocktail will actually make it taste smoother and richer. The ice will help dilute the drink and make it taste less harsh on your palate. You can also try putting in some crushed ice or even just filling your glass half full with water before pouring in the whiskey (letting it sit for 5 minutes before drinking).
- Try adding fresh lemon juice: The lemon juice will add a fresh citrus note to complement all those spicy rye flavors, as well as enhance that sweet vanilla note from the bourbon. If you want to go crazy with this one (and why wouldn’t you?), add some mint leaves or even mint simple syrup at the end of making this drink—the result will be insane.
What to serve with
This cocktail has some serious flavor, so it needs food to match it. Here are some ideas:
- Cheese platters with olives and nuts
- Meat and cheese boards
- Smoked salmon crostinis
- Roasted vegetables with goat cheese
Storage
You can store your old Overholt cocktail in the freezer. It will keep for up to a year if you store it properly. Just put your Overholt cocktail in the freezer. You can store it upright or on its side (just ensure it doesn’t freeze onto another object).
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 oz (1 shot)
- Calories: 154
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 1 g
What Cocktail can you make with Old Overholt?
Old Overholt rye whiskey is a great base for cocktails. It’s got a strong, distinctive flavor that really shines in drinks that are balanced and complex.
Here are some of our favorite ways to use Old Overholt in cocktails:
- A Manhattan or Old Fashioned: This is the traditional way to drink rye whiskey, so if you’re looking for something straightforward and delicious, this is the one for you!
- The Brooklyn Cocktail: This cocktail was created by Harry Craddock at The Savoy Hotel in London in 1920, and it’s been popular ever since. It’s made with a dash of orange bitters and maraschino liqueur, but feel free to experiment with substitutions!
- A Hot Buttered Rum: This classic winter drink combines hot water with butter and brown sugar, then adds rum and spices like nutmeg or cinnamon. You can use Old Overholt straight up or mixed with other spirits like rum or bourbon!
FAQ
How long does it take to make an Old Overholt Cocktail?
It takes around 15 minutes to make an Old Overholt cocktail.
Conclusion
The old Overholt cocktail is one of the easiest classic cocktails to make, requiring only three simple ingredients: rye whiskey, American vermouth, and Angostura bitters. The end result is an extremely flavorful drink, with both the vermouth and bitters standing out on their own. It’s not overly sweet, either, thanks to the dryness of the whiskey — it goes down easy and makes for a good drink to serve at parties or other get-togethers. Enjoy it in good health!
Ingredients
- 1 oz. rye whiskey
- 1/2 oz. Simple syrup
- 1 teaspoon angostura bitters
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Add 1 ounce of Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, 1 teaspoon of Angostura bitters and 1/2 ounce of Simple syrup.
- Stir well for approximately 20 seconds or until chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice cubes and garnish with an orange twist if desired.
