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Optimist Old Fashioned

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (59)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
1/2 fl oz Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
2 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura
4 drop Bob's Chocolate bitters

How to make

Glass

Photographed in a ZigZag Old-Fashioned Glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice).

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 9/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Optimist Old Fashioned contains 198 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.9 standard drinks
  • 34.53% alc./vol. (69.06° proof)
  • 26.2 grams of pure alcohol
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History

Adapted from a recipe created in 2021 by Stephanie Andrews at The Spindle Bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

Review

With 60ml of 45% alc./vol. whiskey (depending on your bourbon) and 15ml of 40% alc./vol. liqueur, this is a punchy cocktail. Some may want to drop the bourbon by 10ml or even 15ml for reasons of sobriety (I tried that) but the original 1:4 ratio sits best. (The optimist in me cut the block ice for the pic way too tall.)

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Justin Aniello
Think I need to use a subtler bourbon because although I can just barely get the benedictine, everything mostly gets washed out by the bourbon. Which is unfortunate because I love chocolate bitters.
score: 2
Marie-Laure ECHASSERIEAU
Did it with rye because hadn't Bourbon in the bar at the time, benedictine and Smoked vanilla bitter from french bitter brand "Beeter" to twist it. Had to restrain meself from having a second it was so good. Rich, still with the woody-herbs hints from the Benedictine, enhancing flavours from the Rye.
score: 2
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
Damn tasty with simple Four Roses and Fee Bros bitters. Brand choices will clearly skew the results, but oh yeah it's good.
score: 1
Chris Lamb Premium Member
Just an FYI that the 'Review' section mentions '15ml of 15% alc./vol. liqueuer,' but Bénédictine D.O.M. is 40%, not 15%.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Chris. Now corrected.
score: 0
Stuart Reeve
Excellent, for me superior to the traditional Old Fashioned. The herbaceous flavours of the Benedictine work incredibly well with a strong bourbon like Jim Beam Black Label, really makes for a very refined and complex cocktail.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Really like this for an evening sipper or night cap. Very smooth. Slightly sweet, but not overly. Perfect on a quiet evening or with friends.
score: 2