Old Fashioned, New Fashion

Don Draper’s drink of choice. Leslie Thomas’ go-to cocktail after a brutal week. A libation that’ll “put hair on your chest,” Old Fashioneds are meant to be sipped (slowly) and enjoyed (thoroughly). Sometimes I obey that sipping “rule.” But most of the time, I get a little carried away. Actually, both my husband and I tend to get a little sip-happy when we have the gentlemen’s drink in our hands.

But that’s because they’re just so freaking good. And because at the end of a hellish week filled with 6AM alarms, hour-long commutes, and “I hate this” gym sessions, it’s just what the doctor ordered.

My favorite whiskey for an Old-Fashioned? Well, I could name a few. But Bulleit is in the top 3. It’s a brown nectar of the Gods. Add to it a twist of orange, a sugar cube, a dash of bitters, and a few Luxardo cherries, and you’ve got yourself a proper Old Fashioned.

My brother taught me right. Too often, even the most seasoned bartenders will find a way to screw it up. It’s why I will almost never order an Old Fashioned at a restaurant or bar. Because when concocted carefully - with absolutely no muddled fruit or shiny red Maraschino cherries in sight, Old Fashioneds are pure perfection in a rocks glass.

Something that’s almost as perfect as a proper Old Fashioned? A really great graphic-tee. One that identifies with my love for food, booze, cats, and just about anything cool. Thrown on with some destroyed denim and Converse chucks and that’s weekend Leslie, in a nutshell. “Chill wear” is indeed my favorite wear. I’m also into jean skirts these days too. They’re making a comeback and I’m not mad about it. Maybe it’s my inner ‘90’s child begging to go back in time...to a time when there was no commute, no work day, and no gym session to be had.

The Cocktail:

Place a sugar cube in a rocks glass (Alternatively, 1-2 teaspoons simple syrup works too). Add a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters and a heavy splash of water on top. Stir quickly until sugar is dissolved.

Pour 1 1/2 ounces whiskey in the glass along with one large ice cube. Twist a peel of orange over top. Using a wedge of orange, rim the glass.

Stick 2-3 Luxardo cherries on a cocktail pick and place inside or on top.

Sip (slowly) and enjoy (thoroughly).

The “Costume”:

Graphic Tee, Urban Outfitters. Similar one here. Denim Skirt, Urban Outfitters. Western-inspired belt, Urban Outfitters. Sunglasses, Urban Outfitters. Black cut-out booties, Lucky Brand.