Imagine this: It is a quiet evening at home. Your favorite record is playing softly in the background, and you have just settled into your chair after a long day. But something is missing: a drink, the perfect cocktail, which is obviously: The Classic Old Fashioned.
There is a timeless quality to this whiskey cocktail. Not just the drink per se, but the experience of preparing it. -measuring the whiskey, muddling the sugar, carefully placing the garnish- an art form in itself. Now, with the rise of Old Fashioned kits, you can recreate that experience right in your own home, effortlessly.
The Rise of the Old Fashioned Cocktail
Before we dive into what makes an Old Fashioned kit the perfect addition to your home bar, let's just take a quick trip back in time. Old Fashioned’s date back to the early 1800s. They were then known as a very simple "whiskey cocktail," consisting of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. Through the ages, it has engraved its place in cocktail history as one of the most iconic drinks ever created.
The Old Fashioned remains a favorite choice among whiskey lovers today. The drink is simple, with only a few quality ingredients, but rich and complex flavors. One drink for comforting every mood, after a busy day when you want to wind down or when you're gathering your friends for a party.
But here's the thing, not everyone has time (or expertise) to make a perfect Old Fashioned from scratch. That's exactly where an Old Fashioned kit comes in handy. It is for all those who love a great cocktail but are too lazy to source all the essential ingredients. A fantastic option for the Old Fashioned kit is from The Epicurean Trader.
What's Inside an Old Fashioned Kit?
So, what's actually in an Old Fashioned kit? While every kit may differ in its special ways, the core remains the same. Here's what you might usually find inside
Premium Whiskey: The base of a good Old Fashioned is, of course, premium whiskey. Most kits include a high-end bourbon or rye.
Angostura: The bite comes from the bitters; Angostura is standard, but kits will vary and experiment with less-common varieties at times.
Sugar Cubes or Syrup: A sugar cube in proper form or a pre-made syrup will balance the drink with the bitterness.
Garnish: Orange peel and cherries are considered the traditional garnishes for an Old Fashioned. These add citrus and a touch of sweetness to the drink.
Tools: The average kit will come with a muddler, a mixing glass, and a jigger, so you can make your drink just like a pro.
All these individual pieces are essential to you getting your Old Fashioned right at home. Not having quality tools or ingredients gets pretty easy to mess up. That is why investment in a good kit coming from brands like The Epicurean Trader, for instance, ends up very worthwhile.
How to Mix the Perfect Old Fashioned with Your Kit?
And now the fun part: using your Old Fashioned kit. Here is an easy step-by-step guide to help you make the perfect whiskey cocktail :
- Muddle Sugar and Bitters: Place a sugar cube on the bottom of your glass, add a couple of dashes of bitters, and muddle together with that sugar cube until it dissolves. If your kit comes with syrup, mix the syrup and bitters.
- Pour the Whiskey: Use an adequate amount of your premium whiskey in your glass – usually around two ounces.
- Stir over Ice: Put ice into the glass and stir lightly to chill and dilute the beverage a little bit. The ice will balance up the flavors.
- Garnish: A twist of orange peel and a cherry ought to conclude the drink to give it the classic look and flavor.
In a few simple steps, you've made a cocktail equal to what you could receive in any bar. The beauty of the Old Fashioned is that it's so easy to adjust to how you like your Old Fashioned.
Want it sweeter? Use more sugar. Like it stronger? Use a heavier hand in applying the whiskey.
Benefits of Using an All-in-One Old Fashioned Kit
Using an all-in-one Old Fashioned kit has numerous key advantages. Most of all, it is extremely easy. Everything you need is right there before you, so you won't have to run around town to several stores searching for all the various components. What is more, kits similar to those offered by The Epicurean Trader will always assure a consistent result. When using pre-measured ingredients, you can be sure you're creating a perfectly balanced cocktail every time.
Another great thing about Old Fashioned kits is that they make excellent gifts. Whether for a whiskey enthusiast or for anyone else who enjoys trying new cocktails at home, an all-in-one kit of whiskeys can serve as a thoughtful and elegant gift idea.
Best Quality Ingredients: Why Quality Matters in an Old Fashioned
The primary thing to keep in mind when preparing an Old Fashioned is that quality is key. Though it may be possible to prepare the cocktail with the bare minimum, it pays off in the end to use top-grade whiskey and high-quality bitters.
The Old Fashioned kits from The Epicurean Trader use only top-class class components-high-quality small-batch whiskeys and artisanal bitters. What makes the difference between an outstanding Old Fashioned and something of a dud is the presence of these superior elements. When you're paying money for a quality kit, you're also essentially paying for a much better drinking experience.
Varieties for Old Fashioned Kit: Personalize Your Whiskey Cocktail
Of course, the traditional Old Fashioned is always a winner, but there are so many variations you can create from it. The next place to go would be experimenting with different whiskies smoke- or spice-flavored rye, the sweeter bourbon. Or, flavored bitters. Maybe smoked, chocolate, or cherry might bring that uniqueness to your drink.
Play with the garnishes. Swap the peel of the orange for a lemon twist or add in some soda water for a lighter finish to make it new and exciting. The possibilities are endless when there is a customizable Old Fashioned kit.
It's also easy to follow instructions, so newcomers can gain access to it, and the tools available let even connoisseurs of cocktails of the superior level create a drink of a high level. Furthermore, any whisky fan will surely be amazed by a well-prepared Old Fashioned.
With the holiday season looming just around the corner, now's the perfect time to start thinking about what to get that whiskey lover in your life. A beautifully packaged kit from The Epicurean Trader is a sophisticated gift that will wow.
What will make this gift exceptional is if the kit is accompanied by premium glassware or even a whiskey decanter to enjoy their Old Fashioned. A toast to the eternal charm of this classic cocktail.
Customer Reviews: What People Are Saying About Old Fashioned Kits
We're not alone in our fussing with these kits, though: customers love them too. Reviews for The Epicurean Trader's Old Fashioned kit compliment the quality of the ingredients, ease of use, and how enjoyable the whole cocktail-making process becomes with the right tools at hand.
Many comment on how the kit simplifies the cocktail-making process without sacrificing flavor or authenticity. No surprise, therefore, that such kits are a hot favorite amongst the homing bartenders and whiskey aficionados alike.
Craft the Perfect Old Fashioned with The Epicurean Trader's Whiskey Kit
Whether you are just a beginner in cocktails or one of the seasoned mixologists, an Old Fashioned kit is an absolute must-have for your home bar. And here's why: it is a convenient, elegant, and premium option to make the perfect cocktail with whiskey. We highly recommend checking out the Old Fashioned kits selection available at The Epicurean Trader.
