Hazelnut Old Fashioned: A Delicious Take On A Classic Cocktail
The Old Fashioned has made its place in the world of cocktails as a classic drink. Its popularity has inspired many flavourful variations k. One of the widely liked variations is the sweet and nutty Hazelnut Old Fashioned. Before getting into the deets, let's take a look at the journey of Old Fashioned and why it is considered to be an important innovation in mixology history.
Old Fashioned, But Never Out Of Style!
Did you know, the term cocktail was initially mentioned in the form of a recipe for the Old Fashioned drink? A publication based out of Hudson, New York published 'The Balance and Columbian Repository'. In its 1806 edition, the editor, in response to a curious reader, added a definition. As per this edition, a 'cock-tail' represents a potent blend of spirits of any kind, bitters, water and sugar. Thus, at the very outset, Old Fashioned led to historic moments during its own course in the pages of mixology.
By late 1800s, the cocktail's recipe was mentioned in Barman Harry Johnson’s Bartender’s Manual, but was referred to as 'Whiskey Cocktail'. Due to its simple recipe, and ease of preparation in the cocktail glass itself, the drink became a staple in the bar scene. Many variations also spinned out of 'Whiskey Cocktail'. Some recipes included absinthe, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, or curaçao. But patrons were not impressed by these editions, so they started asking the bartender for the 'Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail'. Finally, the drink was remembered as Old Fashioned.
The recipe underwent a change during the Prohibition Era. The cocktail now became a drink that used heavily muddled cherry and orange. They were added to mask the poor quality booze at the time. The recipe stayed the same till craft cocktails got a revival in the 2000s. Mixologists began making Old Fashioned using its original recipe, which was immensely liked by drinkers.
Today, Old Fashioned has inspired delicious cocktail versions of itself and they celebrate the history of the drink by retaining its essence.
Hazelnut Old Fashioned
In this twist to the Old Fashioned cocktail, bourbon, hazelnut, bitters and citrus combine to create a delectable drink. Its ingredients make a layered drink with a complex flavour profile. This drink is perfect for festive occasions such as holiday gatherings, and cold winter nights. Hazelnut Old Fashioned replaces sugar with hazelnut syrup or hazelnut liqueur. The hazelnut complements the bitters and citrus.
Ingredients
Method
Take a mixing glass and combine all the ingredients. Stir vigorously with ice. Strain the concoction into a glass with ice. Garnish with orange twist and black cherries.
There are variations of this Old Fashioned variant too! One version which uses coffee is called Hazelnut Coffee Old Fashioned. The recipe has an addition of cold brew coffee, other ingredients remain more or less the same.
While it's great to learn about alcoholic beverages, it is important to also consume alcohol moderately. Remember to serve and drink responsibly to ensure you and your guests are healthy and out of harm's way. If you know anyone who has trouble controlling their alcohol intake, please refer them to a professional immediately.
