The O.F. 

steps

I wanted to take a classic cocktail like an old fashioned and elevate each component. What I came up with uses house cured cherries, house bitter candied oranges, housemade burnt orange syrup, housemade bitters, and high-proof bourbon.

I soak orange slices overnight in simple syrup, then strain (saving syrup). Press orange slices in sugar, cover with bitters, and bake. Scorch the reserved orange syrup in a pot on the stove, then thin with water until it’s pourable. Muddle oranges and cherries with this syrup and then add bitters and 3 ounces of high-proof bourbon (basically any quality bourbon over 100 proof works).

For the home bartender, I recommend using Bittermilk Old Fashioned syrup in place of orange syrup. Take 3 ounces of preferred bourbon, add Bittermilk to taste, and garnish with Luxardo cherry and a healthy piece of orange peel.